I was chatting today with someone who is very close and special to me expecting just some standard chit chat only for them to tell me they had taken the day off to visit the doctors. They had come to realise that they were living on a knife edge of stress and depression and taken the first step to sort things out. Half of me was shocked, they were someone I had always considered to be so solid and calm, the other half knew that stress is a bastard and can worm its way past even the most stringent of defences.
I wasn’t prepared to offer any advice, everyone I’ve know who has found themselves in a similar situation, including myself, has dealt with it in a different manner, but I offered my time and ear should it be required. Most people tend to hold on too long before taking the step of admitting they have a problem. Thinking that they only need a week to ‘pull myself around’ people are often surprised how hard the wall hits them now they have let the barriers they have set up lower just a fraction. My week turned into nearly six months but I know others who have made it back earlier and some for whom the process took longer, there are no hard and fast rules.
I hope that the current situation resolves very soon for my friend as I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I know the next few weeks are going to be difficult for them so I will be here as and if they or their family need me.
