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Susan, a woman in her late forties, had felt depressed for the past few years. Her long term bout with chronic depression had started after she suddenly lost her beloved dog, Romeo, to an unexpected illness. Romeo hadn’t been that old and Susan felt that she was robbed of many extra years with her adored cocker spaniel. All of her friends told her that she’d be okay. After all, time heals everything. However, the months dragged on and Susan didn’t feel any better. She started feeling worse. She’d spend hours every day in the back yard next to Romeo’s grave. Her friends and family members started to become alarmed. They thought that they should take Susan to get another puppy, but she refused. She didn’t want another puppy; she wanted Romeo back.

After six months had passed, Susan started finding it difficult to perform even routine tasks. Her relationship with her loved ones became strained. She refused to participate in any family activities. She became distant and cold towards her husband and children. When they tried to cheer her up, she’d burst into tears and lock herself into her room for the rest of the day. Susan refused invitations to family dinners, parties and birthdays. Susan’s husband began to suspect that Susan’s mild depression over the loss of her pet had turned into severe depression. He didn’t say anything to Susan about his suspicions because he still hoped that Susan would just “snap out of it.”

Susan had still been able to go to her job as a legal secretary in a small family law practice. Susan had worked at the same law firm for 18 years and her employers considered her to be family. For a while, she was able to hide her melancholy and depression at work, but now it was becoming a problem for her. She dreaded getting out of bed in the morning and started thinking that she should leave the job that she once loved. Unfortunately, the quality of her work was suffering and her employers were starting to notice and become concerned.

Susan’s boss, Anne, recognized that Susan was suffering from the effects of depression. Susan wasn’t just sad. Her untreated mild depression had turned into a full-blown attack of major depressive disorder. Anne had suffered from depression herself so she understood all of the symptoms and signs. Anne called Susan into her office and said, “Susan, I know you are depressed. I spent years in a state of severe depression myself. You need to get help.” Anne talked to Susan in a non-judgmental way and suggested that she see a doctor immediately. Susan felt ashamed and relieved all at the same time. She made an appointment that day and the doctor prescribed her some anti-depressants. Within a few months, Susan felt much better and she was able to participate in enjoyable activities again.