Dominick Schillizi

Depression

Over the years, I have worked extensively with severe depression. It is one of the most painful and dangerous illnesses which, when given the right circumstances, can effect any one of us. No matter what age, sex, or economic background, we are all vulnerable and can become depressed. It is important that I present you with a case study which will enhance your ability to recognize the warning signs of depression. Depression usually follows a series of causes. Typically, it is a combination of disappointments stemming from negative experiences that come one after the other. The depressed person then starts associating those negative experiences together in their thinking. This usually produces an anger that they hold inside and they forget every positive thing about their life.

Mrs. G.S. first came to me for the treatment of her depression after several years of suffering. She had already visited a number of psychiatrists and had been taking various medications over the years. By the time she contacted me, she believed that she would never be free from the pain and suffering she experienced. The medication enabled her to cope with life from the stand point of preventing suicide but did not help her to become a well adjusted person, nor did it even remove the tremendous sadness she felt within.

Mrs. G.S. experienced the typical symptoms, spending much time sleeping, which is a form of escape, as well as a form of non-communication and displaying introverted behavior. After an analysis of her depression, I discovered the causes. It started when she was eight years old and had frequent exploratory homosexual experiences with two girlfriends. She experienced guilt when her father unexpectedly died and associated her father's death with her experiences which she had done in secret. She was angry at herself and this anger remained inside. Twenty years later her husband was killed in a car crash and this was when her depression began. Unfortunately her husband's death followed her first premarital affair by three weeks and she, again, blamed herself for her husband's death. In her mind, it was punishment for her improper behavior.

I was the only one on earth that she shared this information with, therefore, I was the only one that could help her to help herself. I had to work on removing her tremendous guilt starting from when she was eight years old. As a child she had no idea about her own sexuality and cannot be held responsible for her behavior. I also shared with her the information that I had accumulated over the many years of my therapeutic work. It is common for children to have such experiences, so common in fact, that I have labeled it 'The Age of Curiosity'. Mrs. G.S. has been born again. She has forgiven herself and leads a happy life free from all medication. Why do I say that she has been born again? Because before she took medication she had attempted to end her life.

No matter how bad things may seem, there is always help, there is always hope.

Dominick Schillizzi is a Certified Behavioral Therapist / Clinical Hypnotherapist. For more information go to www.abacus-america.com/dominick or Phone: 718-897-2341.

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