Debra Bowen – Courage in Disclosure
It took some courage for the Secretary of State in California to disclose that she suffers from severe depression. Debra Bowen should be congratulated because she has started a public discussion about the disease in a more positive circumstance than we’ve seen in the news of late. The effect could be that depression won’t be so much of a hidden disease, and it may cause the attached stigma to be minimized.
Take into account that depression is a disease of isolation. One obvious reason is that the nature of the disease leads sufferers to avoid social situations. Another is that friends and loved ones may abandon depressed individuals out of frustration or selfish motivations. Whatever the reason, isolation does nothing to heal the pain of loneliness and lack of self-worth. This is why some who suffer from depression don’t get help, and may turn to drug abuse as the answer.
Mild to moderate cases can go undiagnosed or hidden for years. They suffer through occasional bouts needlessly because they think they can live with it, even though treatment is available. The sad reality is that depression doesn’t let go, and those bouts can get worse over time. But, even if they don’t, doesn’t it make sense to improve your life if you can?
The obvious answer is “Yes”. But often the stigma attached to certain diseases gets in the way. Lack of awareness, a fear of the unknown, and the “it doesn’t affect me” attitude among members of society all add up to the choice to not learn about and understand what makes others suffer. That leads to a barrier in the public psyche to avoid those who suffer, which in turn marginalizes them.
As stated by Tarzana Treatment Centers’ Dr. James Healy:
“There are many common health issues, such as diabetes and hypertension, which like depression can be effectively controlled with treatment. We should not allow stigma to make this health problem into something it isn’t.”
Even when someone seeks treatment for depression and finds healing, there’s still an element of isolation due to that stigma. They can’t get complete fulfillment out of life because there’s always a sense that they need to keep a secret. No slip-ups allowed. “Don’t let them in. Don’t let them see”, as the mantra from Disney’s Queen Elsa goes.
All of the above make Secretary Bowen’s disclosure worthy of praise. She has managed to work under pressure for decades in the California State Legislature and as Secretary of State, and, still, her revelation came as a surprise to close-knit colleagues. Depression sufferers may be motivated by her example to get treatment or just “come out of the closet”, and it could put a large crack in the wall of stigma.
The conversation can start from here and move into topics relating to other common diseases. As Dr. Ken Bachrach, Clinical Director at TTC says:
“The recent admission by the California Secretary of State, Debra Bowen, of her battle with severe depression, is another wake-up call that mental illness can hit people in all walks of life and that its impact can be devastating. Ms. Bowen needs to be commended for being so forthright with her major depressive disorder and how it has prevented her from living her life that way she intended. While most people have had a positive response to her “coming out,” it points out how mental illness is still stigmatized and in the shadows. Nearly every family has one or more member impacted by mental illness. It is time we recognize the debilitating effects of depression and encourage treatment, early intervention, and education.”