Dear @oprah
Thank you so much for commenting on this difficult subject of Depression! I have been depressed for most of my life; and I have been on every single depressant! I am finally in full remission; however I experienced a Major Stroke on 05/04/01; which was 7 and one half months after my Mother's untimely Death at age 65! She was a Teacher when we were growing up, and then received her Doctorate in Psychology from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology in Boston, Massachusetts She then worked as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA! She worked with those who didn't have Health Insurance; or worked with people on a sliding scale, just so she could help others! My Mother was my Hero and the one with whom I bonded most, until she passed away from a sudden Heart Attack! I'm grateful she didn't suffer; as I have needed to relearn everything for the past 17 years! It has been the hardest and most arduous thing I have ever had to come back from; however, I have decided to live my life, because I have 7 wonderful Nieces and Nephews, a loving 89 year old (energizer bunny) Father, and 3 siblings, who continue to support my struggles and my accomplishments! I read your Oprah Magazine every month , and wish to thank you for your candor, honesty, inspiration, and your stick-to-itveness,no matter the circumstances! I always watched your show, and appreciate all your wisdom and generosity! I am writing a book entitled "Misunderstood and Resilient"! My book is dedicated most and foremost to my Mother, but is also dedicated to my entire family! The reason for the title, is because I was always treated like a PSYCHIATRIC PATIENT!!!!! I am finally writing it from the perspective of coming back from my Stroke, but also from my point of view as constantly being passed along from one hospital to another, and from being THROWN OUT from the last one on 10/08/14! My entire Team of Providers (Primary Care, Neurology, Neuropsychology, Social Work, Neuropsychiatry, and Sleep Physicians at one Hospital!) I had a major Stroke, Depression, anxiety, and an undiagnosed Non-Verbal Learning Disorder! I was tossed out, without ANY HEALTHCARE; and was BLOCKED ONLINE from
receiving any HEALTHCARE, WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE or WRITTEN CONSENT! However, I have rejoined the world; as I realized my Mother wouldn't have wanted me to give up, without a fight for JUSTICE, PERIOD! My contribution to this world is my book, and I do not want others to EVER SUFFER the ANXIETY, HUMILIATION, DEPRESSION, SUICIDAL IDEATION, IRRESPONSIBILITY, and PURE HATRED from PROVIDERS who take an Oath "FIRST DO NO HARM", prior to receiving their License to practice MEDICINE!!!!! I believe my book will help others in my situation, because that's the reason for shedding light on a subject that is SO PREVALENT in OUR SOCIETY; WHICH IS BLATANT DISCRIMINATION!!!!!
Thank you so much for inspiring me to share my difficult feelings and situation with others!
Sincerely,
Shelley A. Mintz

Has your doctor tried increasing your dosage to levels higher than normally given? I was in the same situation where I had depression for 60 plus years and even ended up on disability. Then my doctor kept increasing the amount until it finally worked. Allowed dosages have been increased lately. I encourage you to talk with your doctor about trying increased dosage.