The following post is written by Drew Osbahr who uses his love of music as a way to recover from anxiety and depression. We are thankful that Drew has let us share his recovery story on rtor.org -Veronique Hoebeke, Associate Editor
Hi, my name is Drew and I have been recovering one step at a time from severe anxiety and depression in North Carolina. I want to give many thanks to my older brother, who is a doctor and sister-in-law, who is a nurse. Last year where I had been living in Florida for many years my life took a very steep spiral downward and I mentally hit rock bottom. I was out of work for awhile so money was very tight, bills piled up and I did not feel like eating so I lost a lot of weight. I did not feel like getting out of bed or even going out in public and I was always arguing with my wife and son. Unfortunately, my depression highly affected my 14 year marriage with my beautiful wife and relationship with my handsome 12 year old son. It got so bad that I started feeling that life is just not worth living. I learned that the demons try very hard to get the best of you and sometimes they do succeed. I spent about a week in the hospital and boy, was that a huge wake-up call! Especially to witness others that were worse off than I was. I thank the good Lord that my older brother traveled down from North Carolina and helped get me back up there for proper medical treatment. Being a doctor, he set me up with an excellent psychiatrist he knew who started me on the proper medication and set me up with awesome counseling.
I started getting better but still feeling a little down. Then I was watching last season’s “America’s Got Talent” and I saw a young lady, Anna Clendening from Chapel Hill, North Carolina who had the same anxiety and depression, get out in front of millions and wowed the audience and judges with a powerful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah”. I love to sing and have written lyrics to some songs and recorded them but due to my illness I stopped doing it and I thought well if she can do it then I can do it again. I was able to contact Vickie Clendening, Anna’s mother and we had a very nice conversation about how I had the same illness and how her daughter’s performance gave me the inspiration to get back on my feet and sing from the heart again. She thought that was very inspirational and would tell Anna!
I started writing the words and recorded a song for LeBron James leaving Miami and coming back home to Cleveland “King James Is Coming Back Home” sung to the tune of Michael Buble’s “Home”. It was played and posted on KISS-FM 96.5 Cleveland by a great guy, Java Joel, music director and afternoon DJ who highly encouraged me to put it up on YouTube and he would put it on their station’s website. You can check out my video here. I have also been a huge Bruce Springsteen fan since I saw my first show and met him in 1978. His inspirational concerts and music has helped me through some tough times over the years and I found out he battled severe depression as well. The last couple of months I have also been working on a book that has helped me with my therapy that my older brother, also a huge Boss fan, encouraged me to write entitled “True Tales From A Springsteen Fan Addict” about how I met him and how his music has inspired my life and got me through severe depression. When I was 7 my beloved mother unfortunately lost her battle with Hodgkin’s Disease and I think that has always affected my life as well.
Recently, I have been working on and finished the lyrics to a tribute song for Robin Williams called “We Will Miss You Funnyman”. It has been exactly one year since my brother and I were watching our favorite news anchor Brian Williams on NBC Nightly News announce to the world the untimely passing of Robin Williams apparently to suicide. I remember looking over at my brother with shock and disbelief in our eyes. I sat on the couch numb for awhile and realized he unfortunately got beat by those damn devil demons. He was an iconic comedian and actor and his passing literally shocked us and the entire world. My main goal is to record the song like “We Are The World” with friends of Robin or singers interested in being part of honoring him and helping others that are having major mental difficulties. I recently read that the World Health Organization estimated that every 40 seconds someone in the world commits suicide. This is just unbelievable so there is definitely a need to change this major problem ASAP but because of the stigma of depression people are afraid to tell others and reach out for help before it is too late for them.
All of this has thankfully helped me tremendously with my personal battle with depression. Life is definitely worth living and I hope coming out with my story will help others who are experiencing severe depression. Please just seek out help ASAP and there are a lot of resources including this awesome website that can give you immediate help just search the web now, keep your chin up and smile!
Take Care, Live Life Fully and Be Safe -Drew
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As someone who has experienced depression I was greatly impressed and uplifted by Drew’s story. His sharing and his music and great singing voice have inspired me and given me hope in my own struggle with depression. There are those days when you feel very alone and it helps to know that there is help out there for you.
Great job Drew!
Blessings and Many Thanks,
Dolores G.
Drew,
Thanks for sharing your story and the lyrics to your Robin Williams tribute on rtor.org.
I wish you much success in getting a full music version of the song produced!
Jay
Thank you Drew for your inspiring story. I was moved by your creativity and how the power of music has helped you in your recovery.
Hi uncle drew that was very touching and I loved the song I do not now how u are felling because I’ve never been through this but I know that this may be very hard for u I love u and hope to see u soon.
Hey, old pal. Another great job of using your talents to inspire and uplift others. I know your efforts help you, also, so keep up the good work… stay strong… and be safe. Keep fighting those demons, buddy… you’re bigger than they are! Good luck with the book… and the rest of the chapters of your life. Loveya, man.
Big Drew, Your words and story are inspirational. Every day you fight for the strength to get better and fight those damn demons. You are the funniest man I know and when you make me laugh, I know it’s a good day. Keep on moving on and always be you! ❤️ Great lyrics honoring R. Williams ?
Drew-
Great article and thanks for sharing your personal journey. Thanks for being a big part of my life since elementary school. Keep taking it one day at a time on the road to recovery. Your buddy. Bill
Thank you everyone for your kind comments I greatly appreciate them. I would also like to thank my family and friends for all of their support during this very difficult time in my life!!
The Best To All,
Drew
Wow! Drew that is an amazing and cool story. You definitely have overcome a huge obstacle and God definitely gave you the gift of writing inspirational songs. Those words were amazing.