Delonte West Dealing With Mood Disorder
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Oct 17, 2008 7:11 PM CDT
in Fear My Opinion
3 comments
Cavaliers Guard Delonte West at last talked about the "personal reasons" that caused him to leave the team for two week earlier this month. West has sought treatment for depression and a mood disorder that he says he has been dealing with his entire life.
"In a sense, you feel like a weaker man because you have to raise your hand and ask for help," West said. "But I found out over the last week that it made me a stronger person. I came back focused, and with the help of some medicine and talking with people on a regular basis, I'm back in good spirits".
West said the feelings of discontent got so great, so overwhelming, that he considered quitting basketball.
"I felt a feeling of anger and I just wanted to throw it all away and quit the team," he said.
It seems West finally realized he needed help after having a run-in with a high school official during a Cavaliers workout October 3rd. West considered the incident a signal that he needed help. Help is what West has received, in the form of therapy and medication.
West returned to the court last night during the Cavaliers loss to the Spurs. West was elated just to be back.
"Being on the court felt like being on the playground as a child again," he said. "I had the time of my life last night."
Our thoughts go out to West, as well as our hopes that he has gotten the help he wants and deserves.
GO CAVS!
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As a professional in the mental health community, entirely too often I see signs of depression being laughed off and people being told to “tough it out” or “work through it”. Its not that easy. My congratulations to Delonte for being able to realize that he needed help and to stand up and do it. Hopefully, he continues on that trend and with those steps.
by Fundamentals on Oct 17, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Seconded. Rec’d.
Members of my family have gone through serious mental issues and people are always shocked to hear how debilitating mental illness can be. It’s also very hard to detect and treat in someone that isn’t ready to be treated. It’s got nothing to do with someone’s personal success/if they’re getting paid/laid and that goes against everything people want to believe.
Great to see D. West recognizing his own issues and seeking treatment for them. Huge ups to him for making it public and maybe helping someone else out there understand that they can be helped.
Rec’d.
As also a prof in the field, I agree completely. I also think its huge step forward that West is open about these problems as this often is not the case due to unfortunate (and irrational) stigma that is attached admitting mental health problems. The more that it is recognized as a problem requiring help that is available (i.e. mental health treatment) the easier it will be for others to reach out and get that help and take the steps to improve their lives.
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