My real name is Peter Sullivan, and I have been treated for depression.

[SoxFan]

There. I said it.

In Monday's edition of the Manchester Express, an increasingly sensationalistic weekly, one of my political opponents launched a barrage of attacks on me. Among his charges was an accusation that I supposedly told him that I was "manic depressive".

Now, let's put aside the fact that I would no sooner discuss my health issues with this guy than I would share a needle with Courtney Love. let's also put aside the fact that there is actually no such diagnosis as "manic depressive". Let's get to the deeper issue.

I have been treated for depression. I take an SNRI and go to occasional counseling. It's not always easy to deal with, but I have been able to get myself back to a reasonably good position.

And yes, I have done so while living in the public eye as a local elected official.

Mental health is no different than any other area of health care. People who are ill should receive an appropriate form of treatment. The problem is that all too often, fools with a backward attitude towards mental health choose to use it as an excuse to launch whispering campaigns, to demean a person's character. As a result, people who could use treatment for depression, bipolar disorders, and other conditions choose to forgo treatment out of fear of being branded as "crazy" or "nuts".

This has to stop.

Nobody would be ashamed to get help for acid reflux, plantar fascitis, or gall stones. Depression is a medical condition, not a character flaw, and it is time that it be treated as such.

Let's grow up. Let's tell the character assassins that we aren't going to put up with their stigmas and their hate any longer.

[NJmaverick]

1. I agree with you, and support your efforts

I hope you are able to make a good case with the voters. Understanding all the various mental health issues, can be challenging to a public that is vastly ignorant.

[SoxFan]

3. The real irony...

The people who make the biggest fuss about someone else's condition are usually the very people who would benefit from treatment themselves.

[NJmaverick]

5. I would agree with that, as well

[Dangerously Amused]

24. Word. Isn't projection a fascinating dynamic?

Great post, behind you all the way on this. Thanks.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Agreed. I'm pretty open about being bipolar, but I do still have those niggling doubts

at times when I wonder if it really changes in a negative way how some people look at me.

[TZ]

4. Good post.

I take meds for depression as well. There are also family members with mental disorders. The stigma on these diseases needs to go!
:applause:

[BeachBaby]

6. Kicked and Rec'd.

:hug:

[dem629]

7. Great post. n/t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear SoxFan...

This is an excellent post, and I support your efforts to remove the stigma from mental health issues...

You should cross-post this in GD...

This really deserves to be on the Greatest Page!

I will K&R it here, and wherever else you post it!

:hug:

[SoxFan]

10. Thank you, my dear CalPeggy

I have done just that.

In fact, I will probably cross-post this over at Blue Hampshire as well. I may even put together an op-ed for one of the other local papers.

Have you thawed out from your DC sojourn? You Californians aren't used to this nasty weather!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. I'm glad you did!

More power to you!

I have thawed out completely! In fact, I've hardly felt cold since I got home...Temps in the 60's hardly compare with those in the teens and 20's!

[SoxFan]

13. I need to get out to California sometime

My cousin lives just outside of Stockton, so I may take him up on an offer to visit if this cold keeps up!

My wife was out in LA for a "Lost" fan convention a few years ago, but I haven't been back to California since I was a teenager.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. You should definitely visit!

If you come down to LA, you should visit here!

I love meeting DU'ers!

:hi:

[monmouth]

19. Dear California Peggy,

I am giving a great deal of thought to going to CA for a month in July. I want to go to Santa Monica. I'm in e-mail correspondence with a realtor out there. Are you anywhere near there? I don't have a CA map in front of me... My younger son will most likely go with me and he's sort of itching to move out there. He's in the restaurant business (we owned one at the Jersey Shore years ago) and one of his customers (club members) wants him to meet with Spago. Just curious...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. July works, and I am not too far from Santa Monica...

I live in Manhattan Beach, which is south of there, just south of LAX...

PM me your plans when they firm up!

:hi:

[monmouth]

26. Oh dear Peggy, would that not be fun? I shall do just that....n/t

[graywarrior]

9. Hey!

I'll be in Manchester Thursday. And I was treated for depression years ago.

[SoxFan]

12. Well, here's a word of advice

Don't eat lunch at Joe Kelly's Pizza. The owner is the guy who is making this an issue. Besides, he's a right-wing tool.

If you are hungry, try La Carreta, a nice Mexican place on DW Highway, India Palace on South Willow, or The Athens, next to Veteran's Park. Can't go wrong with those places!

If you're looking for, ahem, "liquid bread", Milly's Tavern has some excellent beers made on premises.

[graywarrior]

14. I'm going to Joe Kelly's wearing Obama stickers all over my jacket

[SoxFan]

15. I'll take "Things that won't end well" for 500, Alex!

[graywarrior]

18. I'll bring Mr Gray with me

He's sooooooo good with people like that.

[fizzgig]

17. society needs to recognize that our brains are part of our bodies

and any sort of imbalance or disorder there is no different than any other type of illness. i think it's a tragedy that mental illness is viewed as something to be ashamed of rather than talked about. it's even worse that some people chose to not get treatment out of fear they will be judged.

i was diagnosed with type II bipolar and general anxiety/panic disorder about four years ago and am, on the whole, very open about my diagnoses. it's hard enough to deal with the illness without having to deal with ignorance about it. i don't know anyone who'd tell a cancer patient or diabetic to 'just snap out of it' or even ridicule them for having the disease.

one of my biggest frustrations is that insurance companies handle treatment for mental illness differently than other types of illnesses. when i still had insurance, the copay to see my psychiatrist and therapist was twice what it was to see my regular doctor. that is getting better, though, with legislation requiring parity of coverage by insurance companies.

thank you for this post

[bunnies]

20. I had no idea local politics was so nasty.

What a jackass.

Any change you'll give Gregg a run for his money? :shrug:

[SoxFan]

21. HA!

We have two excellent members of Congress who are looking at running against Judd Gregg, Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes. Either one would make a terrific senator. I ran briefly in the NH-01 primary in 2006 (Carol eventually won the seat), and that cured me of any desire to run for higher office any time soon.

[Chan790]

22. If you change your mind...

let me know. I'd be honored to work for your election to higher office; our opinions diverge on a great many issues (I'm left of Lenin) that I've noticed here, but you're thoughtful about the issues (and I don't know that it's reasonable to ask more than that of political candidates) and you don't back down from a fight.

I cut my teeth in campaign-work in local DC politics so I know well how to take on vicious attacks.

[bunnies]

28. Oh, come on. Please?

Ok. So one of them gets the Senate seat. That leaves at least ONE of the house seats open! :P

[Haole Girl]

25. We have so far to go as human beings

So many people are still discriminated against for the most ridiculous reasons.

I'm glad you could get treatment. I applaud you for not hiding it.

:applause:

[Fire Walk With Me]

27. Let those who are without sin cast the first stone.

I applaud you for taking care of yourself. Anyone who mocks you for taking care of yourself...:shrug:

[Deja Q]

30. I know some who mock.

They should be on twice the medications I'm on.

Or, rather, I'll admit I have issues. Most people pretend they haven't any, especially when - for some - they clearly do and to a much harsher degree.

[Deja Q]

29. Yes. It should stop.

I hear ya loud and clear.

K&R