Depression, Drugs and Celebrities

The recent loss of the promising actor Heath Ledger has created a media frenzy. Even before the medical examiner had the time to do his job, the press was wildly speculating on the cause of his sudden death. Suicide, alcoholism, "wild party animal" were some of the terms being bandied about.

What a cruel act to his family and friends. When the coroner report was finally released the official cause of death was deemed an "accidental overdose."

As a woman that has lived the majority of her life dealing with the internal dual demons of anxiety and depression, it struck me how very vulnerable we all are. Everyone of us medicates ourselves, whether it be alcohol, herbal remedies, or Doctor's prescriptions. We desperately want the pain and the darkness to go away.

Quite frankly, there have been months when I don't know what day it is, let alone remember if I took my medication that morning. Yet, even after all these years I still don't have one of those pill boxes that you load up with your medication for the week, and would therefore have a clue as to what you did two hours ago.

The pressure for celebrities to always been on their "best" game, is unfathomable to me. I am a simple housewife and mother, and I have the luxury of being able to hide in my home and sleep some of the day away when I pressure myself too much. Celebrities have reporters and photographers watching their every move. Talk about external stressors!

The media's quest for "dirt" makes all of us that deal with depression and anxiety disorders look like suicidal maniacs. It is time to stand up and let the world know that we are just regular people, trying to walk through this lonely maze the best way that we can.