Support circle for depression

Glowbug57 · Post by **Glowbug57** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:14 am

Originally posted by pecos:
Hi All. There are eight of us as of Monday afternoon. Since there is already a forum for Depression, we could make a note of each others names, and we could consider ourselves our support circle. That way, we can use the Depression forum to post specific discussions, problems, solutions, and so on, mostly to each other. If everyone here is ready to begin a support circle, we can begin now. I have noted all of your names, and I will always check the Depression forum first thing. If I see your name, I will know you are seeking support from our circle, and I will read your post right away, and everyone else here can do the same. On days when I feel stomped into a dust pile, I will post there, too, and I will be happy to hear comments, advice, or just a hello, from any or all of you. Does this sound workable? By the way, this circle never closes. Any new people who want to join, just add your name here.

How does this work and how do I become a part of the circle?

Dughann · Post by **Dughann** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:26 am

I was really scared to get started with the program,but things for me are feeling much better than I was even 1 week ago! I started drinking decaf green tea(which I never liked) but if it is pretty weak It's not bad and i am getting used to it and it is good for you??? Also Are you taking the Good Days feel happy vitamins that you can get with the program? Because of winter I am also sitting in front of a happy light, starting all these things at the same time which one is making me feel better??? I don't know but it is great! Also just knowing that it is up to us to help ourselves get better.....I was just waiting for the presciption meds to make me happy and they never did. It Is Up TO US!!!!!!! WE can do it.

sgt monette · Post by **sgt monette** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:57 am

today i feel like the people in the cymbalta commercials. n o energy, hurt all over. Have no ambition.

was on the vitamins when i first started. they stopped coming. assumed that was the end of them..
not sure where my lessstress press is. if i can find it wonder if i can getr more vitamins.

maybe i should try your heat lamp idea. have had so much snow.

hoping evetually to get in tt an exercise class. my hours where i work have been cut way back and now theyare on meto change my schdule for more hours. have things i do with schedule the way it is. going to have to do some thinking on this andsee whay i can do

sgt monette · Post by **sgt monette** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:02 am

please adde my name to your circle . sgt monette (jan)

i will try to check everyday. nice toi have someone to talk to.

just finished 6 didn't spend a lot of time on 5. going back and look at 5 again. i know diet helps

debchance · Post by **debchance** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:20 am

Hi all,
Thanks K.Denise C and Pecos for both of your kind words and encouragement. I am doing better and am working at being more assertive with my husband. It's funny although probably fairly common, I can be quite assertive with people I don't know. I am the problem solver when it comes to taking care of business out of my circle of loved ones. Not so much at stake I guess.
Pecos,
I love your analogy of the sunshine.I bought myself a beautiful silver ring with an orange sun in the center surrounded by sunbeams made of silver. I got it to remind myself that it is my time to stand in the sun. I love to see it on my hand and get that reminder.It picks me up and helps me refocus.
Thank you and welcome to all who are new here,
Deb C

Tadpole · Post by **Tadpole** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 3:43 am

Hello to all. My holidays were pretty bad and my divorce was final on January 2, so I lost a few more weeks of my life to this funk we call depression. Things are looking up. This week I started up again with the program, week 3, watched the coaching video and listened to the week 3 tape. I am writing down my negative thoughts and there are plenty. I have't gone to work for three weeks, but I am off the couch, walking on the treadmill daily, joined a health club and I start working out on Monday. I am watching what I eat and trying to remember to take my vitamins. Part of the program is to check in with your support group so here I am checking in. Our group seems to be pretty small so I guess we better stick together. Part of my depression is isolating and continuing thoughts that no one really cares. I have less thoughts of wishing I were dead. We can't do this alone. Like they say in AA this is a WE program. I am not very good at following through with things that are good for me, but I am forcing myself to continue with the program because I have suffered from depression for over 25 years and I need to know there is more to life then these endless days of continuing unhappiness and despair. We all deserve to be happy.

Crave · Post by **Crave** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:59 pm

I've been through the program twice. After my second time (about six months ago), I was sure I had licked this "thing". Social anxiety was what initially brought me here. I was on (a million different) meds for almost 10 years, but after my epiphany, I weened myself off, and have been meds-free since. I also quit caffeine. I really feel like the anxiety is much more "in check" now, but I've really been feeling unmotivated about life in general lately.

I've been going through a divorce for 2 1/2 years now. After my epiphany, I was convinced I had been too negative towards my wife, so we ended up back in marriage counseling to try to work it all out. Well, we finally realized that that wasn't going to happen. So now we're at the final stages of the divorce. I really think it is the best thing (it was not healthy), but I've struggled with it, but I think it was mainly me just feeling alone, and remembering back to what it felt like to be "with" someone. I do miss that, but I don't think I miss her. To be honest, I was pretty certain that she was not good for me all along. But prior to meeting her, I was alone for quite some time, and I remember actually thinking that being with her was the lesser of two evils (better than being alone). I couldn't STAND being alone.

Also, my work recently laid a bunch of people off, and as it turns out, I was on the list to get cut, but someone higher up the food chain saved me. This has just left me feeling like they don't really want me there.

The holidays were especially hard, being alone (except for my son of course). I feel like that's been my biggest struggle - when I'm alone, and my son is not around. I'm just reminded that I don't really have anyone close in my life, and I feel this sense of hopelessness. Not to mention boredom. The only thing I ever feel like I have to do are chores/projects around the house, and I never feel motivated to do any of it. I just want to lay on the couch and watch tv. Then later, I feel guilty because I got nothing done. I know it's just negative thinking, which I try to counter, but I feel like I just don't buy the more positive stuff I come up with. It is really hard when my son is not around too - I just miss him SO much. It's hard when he is there too, but in a different way - he's 3.

Sometimes I wonder if it's just the time of year - winter in the northeast - freezing cold and lots of snow.

Anyway, I'm thinking I could really benefit from this group.

scaredcindy · Post by **scaredcindy** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:01 pm

Hi. I suffer from severe anxiety and depression. I would like to join your support group. I am on Section 2 of the Program. I am in a very deep depression at the moment and cannot seem to pull myself out of it. I have had this condition for about 22 years and have been on all different kinds of medicines. I hope this program works. I have mostly the scarry/what-if anxiety, always thinking the worst is going to happen. Do any of you feel that way?

Christina B · Post by **Christina B** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:52 pm

I'm not sure if I am depressed, but I have terrible aches & pains and feel like I could just fall over & die. I am so weak. No energy, and no interest in doing much at all. Some of this related to the pain. Is this common with depression. I usually suffer more from anxiety.

secret · Post by **secret** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:35 pm

Hi, I would like to join the depression group also, it is so comforting to know that there are others out there that you can reach out to.

Scaredcindy, I too suffer from the scary what if thinking. It is a struggle to get through everyday, the constant worrying about doing or saying something stupid and trying so hard to appear "perferct and well put together" in everyone's eye's is draining. I can't wait for moments when I can just be alone just so that I can get a breather from the burden of it all. II also am lonely most of the time. I used to hhave a lot of friends but life happens, hopefully you can understand that. I also have withdrawn from a lot of the people I used to be in contact with because it's just too hard to keep up the relationships (friendships). Can anyone relate to what I am going through?