I’m Joel and I have Major Depressive Disorder. This short video gives a snapshot of what I am up against. I have learned one amazing thing about myself. Most of what I worry about never happens. I will time-travel into the future and imagine all kinds of trouble. But as the event plays out, the trouble never appears. My depression throws out some form of unhelpful thinking and … [Read more...] about Until 4 Years Ago, I Never Called My Depression By Name
depression and anxiety
Has It Been Three Years Since I Was Pulled Over? – Road Rage Part 5
I don’t believe it’s fair to blame my depression for my speeding.After all, my depression is not driving the truck, I am. And while depression is putting unhelpful thinking to work, I should know better. I certainly should have known better traveling a back road after 12 AM and then passing through a work zone. When the officer came to the window he said:“Sir, did you know you … [Read more...] about Has It Been Three Years Since I Was Pulled Over? – Road Rage Part 5
Is My Anxiety Because I Am Still Unpacking from Africa?
It’s the age-old dilemma, which came first?Am I feeling anxiety and unsettled because I am still unpacking, cleaning, and putting away my climbing clothing and gear from my trip to Africa? Or is it the baskets of washed clothes, my boots, and my down jacket still clogging up the laundry room that make me feel large amounts of anxiety?Either way, things in my home office are … [Read more...] about Is My Anxiety Because I Am Still Unpacking from Africa?
What Made Depression Almost Keep Me From Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro?
We reached the summit in seven days, but day four almost ended my attempt.How did I think the entire trip would be rain free? What caused me to optimistically think that there would be no rain and the climb would be all monkeys and giraffes in the wild? I had looked at long-range forecasts for Tanzania, and Africa before leaving America. The website even had forecasts based on … [Read more...] about What Made Depression Almost Keep Me From Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro?
What I Learned Having Skin Cancer Removed from My Face
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash The first thing I learned is you cannot hide the results of skin cancer removal.For the first 48 hours, I had a huge bandage on my face that covered the surgical crater left from Moh’s surgery. I had instructions, not to bathe or get the bandage wet in any way. The nurse covered to an area with petroleum jelly and covered that with … [Read more...] about What I Learned Having Skin Cancer Removed from My Face