A Journey Into and Out Of the Fog of Depression

 

Living with Depression

Emily Harman, host of Onward Podcast, interviews Todd Kruder, a Retired Navy Captain, whom she met when they were both working at the Naval Air Systems Command. Todd Kruder speaks about his journey into and out of the fog of depression and reveals how he turned his pain into purpose, ultimately earning a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work.  

Episode Highlights: 

  • Emily Harman introduces Todd Kruder. 
  • Todd tells us that depression doesn’t always look like we might imagine.
  • Did Todd know he was depressed when he was working long hours, staying busy?
  • Todd describes how he wore his uniform to try to hide his depression.
  • Todd describes his obsession with exercise.
  • How did a visit to the sleep doctor impact Todd?  
  • Being depressed can put people in a zone to become a different person in an effort to hide their pain. 
  • What was the breaking point that made Todd know he needed help?
  • How should one approach someone about their possible depression?
  • Was there one thing in particular that spawned Todd’s depression?  
  • Todd found writing helpful as he explored possible triggers for his depression.  
  • Todd explains the fight-or-flight nature of depression. 
  • How did people in the military respond to CaptainTodd Kruder being in uniform and speaking out about mental health?
  • How does the stigma of mental health affect people and families? 
  • How has Todd moved onward from his mental health struggles? 
  • Todd explains why he went back to school for his Master’s degree in Social Work. 
  • Having an awareness of depression triggers can be extremely beneficial to address it quickly. 
  • Todd talks about the benefits of a service dog. 
  • What helped Todd move onward from suicidal thoughts? 
  • Every time an obstacle slows us down, there is an opportunity for rebirth.  
  • We are in constant movement as human beings and are steadily changing. 
  • Emily shares her thoughts about the information Todd Kruder shared. 

3 Key Points:

  1. The Department of Veteran Affairs estimates that 22 veterans commit suicide every day, about 8,000 annually. 
  2. Watch for the small things that appear off about someone as an alert about their potential depression.  
  3. Our mind is the last place where we are free. Mental health issues can take that away from us. 

Tweetable Quotes:

“For someone who is depressed, or with a classic depression, you are either going to sleep too much or you don’t sleep well at all.” – Todd Kruder

“The understanding of the brain…right now the science of it is kind of like looking at the Earth from outer space. Yeah, we know its Earth. But, the details of it we can’t make out.” – Todd Kruder

“Therapies and approaches can range from anything from exercising, I’m a huge advocate of “eye rest,” which is a form of meditation. All these things can help.” – Todd Kruder

Resources Mentioned:

Buy Todd’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B074PP4CXT   

https://cnsmaryland.org/2013/12/11/militarys-mental-illness-stigma-pushes-navy-captain-to-edge/
 https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/nation/military/navy-captain-opens-up-about-depression-and-hope/285231709

Todd Kruder: Linkedin