Views & Voices Magazine
June 2009

Fighting Depression
by Greg McCulley of Sharon, PA
 
     IF I HAVE LEARNED ANYTHING, IT’S THAT DEPRESSION HAS NO FACE, COLOR, OR GENDER; IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE,  AND IT HAPPENED TO ME.

     Since October 31, 2007, I am happy to say that I have been free from all prescription drugs, clinical depression and a battle with insomnia. I am grateful to God that I made it. And, I am grateful to so many people who helped me during my journey to a full recovery. Now I can share my story with others to let them know that they can be free to live again.

     I have had a lot of losses in my life that have left me feeling hopeless and in much despair, and I felt that I was in the valley of the shadows of death after losing my family – the people who matter the most to me.

     Starting on October 5, 1959, I had my first great loss with the death of my 5-year-old sister, who died of bronchial pneumonia. The losses continued in March 1986 with my father passing due to massive heart attack. January 1996 brought the accidental death of one of my brothers, followed by the deaths of my baby brother, and another brother inn 2000, just 87 days apart from each other.

     Then in January 2005, my 10-year marriage ended in divorce. It was a very hard time emotionally for me, and I felt that, one by one, I was losing the people that mattered most to me.

     My eating and sleeping habits changed, I lost weight and my lacking job performance led to my wages being reduced. It wasn’t long until I found myself filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and I had a hard time holding it all together. I was suffering from emotional trauma and there were many nights of painful tears.

     By June 2006, I found myself with seven nights of no sleep at all and I knew something was definitely wrong. Though I tried to cover it up at work, the owner knew my behavior and weight loss were not normal and told me not to mess around with this serious problem. I could no longer hide that I was battling with depression and we discussed my getting help.

    I visited my family doctor and he immediately sent me to a psychiatrist for help. I was placed on a variety of drugs over the next couple of months, including an antidepressant that treats clinical depression; a sleep aid to treat the insomnia; a drug to treat panic disorders; and, another which didn’t work for me. I remained under my doctor’s care all during this time and I also attended general counseling with the Catholic Charities of Sharon, PA twice a month until February 2008.

   Thanksgiving Day 2006 brought upon more devastating deaths, with the loss of my mother to a massive heart attack.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death …” Psalm 23:4

 



    

      Just five months later, my baby sister was diagnosed, with colon cancer, given six months to live and passed in August 2007.

     With just one brother and one sister still living, I hit rock bottom and the sleep aids no longer worked.

     I called my ex-wife at 6 one morning in mid-September and she began to read the Word of God to me, which states, “I was more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus my Lord.” She also told me I would need to address my medication issues as I had come to a place where I couldn’t sleep without prescription drugs. My psychiatrist told me that because of all the emotional stress I was under it would not be wise to put me on any more drugs and I would just need to give myself some time to heal.

    With the help of my ex-wife, a neighbor, my co-worker, and a good friend, I finally found the strength to overcome. They all gave me advice, including that if I spoke at least three good things that God has done every day that it would change things around for me. He also suggested exercising every day. A friend also brought me a calming herbal drink, which I used twice a day.

     With all of these changes, my mind became renewed and I slowly was able to get back to normal sleeping patterns within a month, thanks to God.

     Praise the Lord.

Story Update
Greg, a business graduate of Pennsylvania State University, is currently working for Reyers, a well-known shoe store center in Sharon, PA.

In his free time, Greg speaks at various events to share his story so that he can help others who are suffering from depression, insomnia, and other similar ailments that are difficult for people to talk about and find real help.

Greg has been featured in the newspaper (Views and Voices), on the Internet, and on the radio (for interviews).

Greg's hope is that he will be able to help people the way he was helped when he needed it.

For interviews, conferences, health fairs, and other events, Greg can be contacted (via phone or email) to share his story.

Contact Information

Email: Greg's Email Address

Phone: 724-347-3322

Residence: Sharon, PA 16146

Greg's Web Sites

Defeat Depression (Webs.com)

Greg McCulley (Webs.com)

Beat Depression (Webs.com)

Greg McCulley (Google)

Greg's Blogs

Beat Depression without Drugs

Beat Depression with God

Beat & Overcome Depression (WordPress blog)

Beat & Overcome Depression

Beating & Overcoming Depression

Beat Depression Without Drugs 

Greg's Networks

My Space

Facebook

Black Planet

Ning

LinkedIn

Press Release

Greg's Web Sites

http://www.defeatdepression.webs.com/

http://www.gregmcculley.webs.com/

http://www.beatdepression2007.webs.com/

http://sites.google.com/site/gregmcculley1/

Greg's Blogs

http://defeatdepressionnow.blogspot.com/

http://beatdepressionwithoutdrugs.blogspot.com/

http://beatdepressionwithgod.blogspot.com/

http://beatovercomedepression.blogspot.com/

http://beatovercomedepression.wordpress.com/

http://beatdepressionwithoutdrugs.blog.com/