Just dropped in, for you to see what condition my condition is in

You deserve this update on my absence.

Four days ago I responded to a friend and commenter who wished me well on my health, but many readers missed it, no doubt, my reply being only in the comment section. So I'm paraphrasing it here for all. I wrote: "Full disclosure is warranted. I've been slammed by a paralyzing depression, not the first in my life. But a medicine review is imminent. I'll be back on my feet once I regain my wits."

Thus my absence. I'm now being treated for this lovely gift from nature: major depression, accompanied by all the usual, and really ugly, symptoms. If you have ever had this condition youself, you are well aware of how arduous it is to pull oneself out of it, or I should say, for medications to overcome it.

A few years ago I read novelist William Styron's observations about depression — his own — titled "Darkness Visible: A Memior of Madness." This microcosmic volume is both universal in scope — centering, as it does, on an all too commom illness among us humans — and perfectly titled. One sees the darkness. The aothor's brilliantly insightful work is synopsized (I have, of course, misplaced my copy) as "Styron's true account of his experience of crippling depression. Styron is perhaps the first writer to convey the full terror of depression's psychic landscape, as well as the illuminating path to recovery." Crippling — spot on.

I provide this disclosure only as an update on where I'm at — as a reader of, and perhaps a contributor to, this site, you deserve it — and in hopes of your understanding. I'll get better, and I will return.