Reviewing depression

Sam considers himself to be an accomplished professional, having worked as a technology consultant for large corporations for many years. Some ten years ago, Sam moved to Sydney, from Brisbane, in search of improved career and pay opportunities, in his line of work.

Being in sunny Queensland for about ten years, Sam’s health was fit, his mind was mighty, and life was merry. Moving to a different state, however, upset this balance. Somehow, Sam’s body struggled to adjust. With the lightly polluted air of Sydney, Sam suffered from dust allergies, ear infections and hay fever for quite a few months. Little drops of water slowly created an ocean and one wicked morning Sam found himself dejected, a state which progressively turned into clinical depression.

Sam stopped laughing, cheering, sleeping, watching, walking or even eating. His beautiful daughter was only six months old. All the joy and excitement he had gathered at the arrival of his daughter suddenly disappeared. Sam lost interest in work, playing with his daughter or even passing time with his loving wife. Soon Sam realised, it was time to seek help.

Sam consulted a therapist in Sydney, took anti-depressants, tried meditation and religious practices, but nothing worked. After struggling with his illness for more than six months, Sam decided to give up on his career as a consultant, packed his bags and went back home, overseas, to live the last few days of his life with extended family and friends. 

Back home things did not improve at all. Voices in Sam’s head kept telling him that he was a big failure and worthless human garbage. Fear and Sam became the best of friends and with his higher consciousness losing its voice, fear was all that could be heard. 

From Sam’s childhood, he had a deep interest in art and poetry. One fine morning Sam came across a poem, Stopping by Woods, by Robert Frost, in one of his high school books.

"These woods are lovely dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep and miles to go before I sleep.”

Out of the blue, inspiration triumphed in Sam’s heart. Sam remembered that he promised his wife he would give her the best life, if she agreed to marry him, and he needed to keep that promise rather than giving up.

Sam was still young, and a lot needed to be done in his life. So, Sam decided to do something different, he decided to give himself a second chance. He did not want to walk the path of giving up anymore. Sam wanted to take the road less travelled, the road of challenging himself, telling himself that he could break this cycle of illness.

Returning to Australia, Sam gave up his relatively comfortable job and took up a tough contracting role to challenge himself. Sam ran every single morning in the cold winter, breathed fresh air and enjoyed the sunshine. Sam changed his diet to be healthy, including salmon, milk, organic egg, rainbow vegetables and three fruits a day. He gave up on soft drinks, hydrated himself with lots of water. Sam restructured his sleeping habits with rigid disciplines. Every night Sam went to bed and woke up in the morning at the same time, slept in the same bed in a darkest possible room, with no exceptions.

It made all the difference, just like it made for Frost in his words from The Road Not Taken,

“I shall be telling this with a sigh somewhere ages and ages hence: two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less travelled by and that has made all the difference.” 

Here Sam remains today; with three beautiful daughters, a gorgeous wife, house and successful career. All he did was follow the road not taken.