The world watched as Bobbi Kristina Brown buried her superstar mother, Whitney Houston February 11, 2012. The 48-year-old pop icon was found face-down in a filled bathtub with drugs nearby.
Since the passing of her mother, there was speculation that Brown may have suffered from some of the same substance abuse problems as her mother and father, singer Bobby Brown. She talked with famed journalist Oprah Winfrey during an interview in March 2012 about how she was coping with the loss of her mother.
“She’s always with me. I can always feel her with me,” said Bobbi Kristina.
Nearly three years to the day after her mother’s death, Brown was found face-down and unresponsive in the bathtub at her home outside Atlanta on Jan. 31. She was treated in a hospital and then a hospice facility for six months.
At 22 years of age, Brown passed away July 26.
Her story is similar to others coping with depression and drug abuse.
Depression is stereotyped as extreme sadness, but Dean Babcock, associate vice president at Eskenazi Health Midtown Mental Community Mental Health, said it goes far deeper.
“Depression is a clinical disorder and there are varying levels. Some people may have situational depression, which is depression as the result of an event or the death of a loved one,” said Babcock. “There’s clinical depression where we begin looking at it from an ongoing, chronic kind of thing that lasts for long periods of time and doesn’t seem to be related to anything in particular.”
Despite where a person falls on the depression spectrum, Babcock said oftentimes drugs are a part of the equation. He wants the public to clearly understand that depression does not cause drug use and vice versa. Each can be related to one another, but is a separate issue that could manifest itself in a person simultaneously.
“Many times people who use addictive substances can have situational depression because of the things going on in their lives, such as the loss of money or the loss of family,” said Babcock.
Depression coupled with abusive substances is no respecter of age, gender, race or socioeconomic status. It can also be dangerous and lead to issues such as crime or being under the influence and driving. This is why experts say people should take both situations seriously, especially the African-American community, who historically has had difficulty understanding depression.
“A lot of times when I’m treating a Black person, they get push back from some of their biggest support systems like the church,” said Dr. Anne Gilbert, a board-certified psychiatrist and co-service line leader for behavioral care at Indiana University Health. “Patients will say ‘I need help, but I need to hide this from my minister.’ Connecting with Black families and the church about depression can be helpful.”
She also said there aren’t very many culturally sensitive therapists and psychiatrists, given the field lacks diversity.
Babcock suggests communities of color should look at depression like other health issues and break stigmas. He said when people have diabetes they understand they need help, but sometimes depression or substance abuse is harder to take action on.
Experts say all people need to understand what depression and drug and alcohol abuse look like. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence list substance abuse signs, such as eyes that are bloodshot or small pupils; frequent nosebleeds; unaccounted injuries; withdrawal from typical social settings; and periods of strange hyperactivity.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, signs of depression include persistent sad or an “empty” mood; feelings of worthlessness; difficulty concentrating; appetite and/or weight changes; or thoughts of suicide.
Babcock and Gilbert agree there is a strong connection between depression and suicide. People who suffer from depression are more likely to have thoughts of suicide and take action to end their lives. Alcohol and drugs increase that danger.
Due to the pitfalls of depression and substance abuse, experts say it is imperative to seek help.
Gilbert suggests people who have a family member who are using harmful substances and/or have depression to first bring it to the sufferer’s attention then extend a helping hand as soon as possible. She said the longer one has depression, the harder it is to treat.
Chronic substance abuse can also cause or worsen health issues such as heart disease or HIV/AIDS.
“If you think you have a problem, talk to someone about it. Help is available if you need it,” added Babcock.
For more information, contact Eskenazi Health Midtown Mental Community Mental Health at (317) 941-5003 or visit EskenaziHealth.edu. Contact IU Health’s 24-hour help line at (317) 962-2622. Contact Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis at (317) 251-7575.
