Support circle for depression

pecos · Post by **pecos** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:50 am

Sage, this question is for you. Are you beginning to get a handle on the depression yet? What are you working on at this time? Stay in touch. You can rise so far above the pain. So many things lead us into this unhappy place, but I have found thinking and behavior (which results from the thinking) is what keeps us there most of the time, and it's what walks us out, most of the time.

SAGE19 · Post by **SAGE19** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:47 pm

I believe that I have taken this first step to getting a handle over my depression by starting this program, and admitting to myself that what has happened in the past is not my fault.
I had started to see a psychologist for my depression last April after my first breakdown but I wasn't to open with him about how I was feeling, but the little talking and information I learned about what I was going through helped me see that I was going to be okay. I'm working on the program as of 3 weeks to this day and feel that its starting to help me with my anxiety and depression, finishing the program is something that I know with time will be of great use. So far that is were I' am at thanks for the support I will keep in touch

pursuitofhappiness · Post by **pursuitofhappiness** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:50 am

Hi everyone, I would like to join this group to help me in my journey to a depressed free life!! I'm in the middle of a huge transition in my life and I am overwhelmed with stress which has driven me back into depression. I have read many of your posts and I think this will be another great avenue for me to work through my struggles.

pecos · Post by **pecos** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:12 am

Sage, I am really glad to hear you are noticing relief from your anxiety and depression. I found that the relief arrives slowly, but it is cumulative. For me, after about Session 6, I began to wake up every day with more interest in my own day. That was my clue that I was going to be okay.
Pursuitofhappiness, I don't know how depressed you are, but I do know you will get help. If you have read any of my past posts, you know that I began this program seriously clinically depressed. A good friend, who is a doctor, believed I needed to be in the hospital. I picked up the first CD and began doing everything the program instructed. Even when I was so full of grief and overwhelm that I could not eat, I did do my homework! Eventually my days took on new dimensions and my blood seemed to start moving through my veins again. Talk about stuck in depression, I was Stuck there.
Nice to know you. Stay with us.

pursuitofhappiness · Post by **pursuitofhappiness** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:36 pm

Thanks Pecos for your support...this is definitely what I need. I would say that I am in a state of depression that consumes the majority of my thoughts but I am still able to do most of my daily activities. Food is my crutch so I have gained weight and that depresses me even more. I don't exercise like I want to and the lack of exercise makes me even more tired but I feel like I don't have the energy to even try.

~AmyB · Post by **~AmyB** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 5:22 am

I take my depression out on a bag of chips. The problem with that is I'm trying to lose my weight and all of the salt from the chips leaves me waking up feeling sick. That could be a part of the "fuzzy in the head" feeling. I used to have no problems going out with friends and family. Now I feel stuck. That causes my depression. A few of the people I've told have turned it into a joke (reeeeeeal nice friends). They remember me as the life of the party. Now the thought of going to a party makes me want to get sick. I know that they don't understand this and maybe that's why they think that it's amusing. Theu don't know what I'm like when I'm "safe" at home and they're out enjoying life. That's why I believe support groups like this are important. I don't feel so alone.

pecos · Post by **pecos** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:21 am

Pursuitofhappiness and manofmusic, I want to encourage you both to stay on this program. I've begun Session 14, and what a difference this entire program made in my life. I won't go into all the reasons, because everyone here has heard them a dozen times, and I'm sparing us the boredom

. Please be encouraged that you are here writing these posts. I'd like to also encourage you both to add an additional reading item to your work while on this program. One of our assignments is to read inspirational books. I read this one, and it absolutely compliments this program: <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Unstuck-Guide-Sev ... 1594201668" TARGET=_blank>http://www.amazon.com/Unstuck-Guide-Sev ... 4201668</A>. Also, follow the basics, do your homework, and if a session takes longer than a week, that's okay, too. Post when you need, and reply to others when you have something to offer. Be kind to yourself and always smile when you look in the mirror. Keep in touch here.

ooc · Post by **ooc** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 10:12 am

Thanks Pecos !

Just knowing I'm not alone has taken a bit of the fuzziness out of my head. I'll look into the book and I'll keep posting. Thanks again !

pecos · Post by **pecos** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:37 am

You are welcome!
And you are worth every hour you spend on putting your life back into focus.
Regarding the fuzziness, it will go away. I began this program in a state of bewildered fuzziness. I cannot even remember how bad it was, but it was very bad.

Roselo · Post by **Roselo** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 6:24 pm

Well I'm not sure if this is where I'm suppose to ask or respond to the topic of depression.
I've been working through the program and I think I'm on Lesson 10. I start the program and do it for a couple of months and just up and quit. My problem is mainly depression. I talk myself into being depressed. Well not really, I tell myself that I'm dumb or stupid or ridicule myself. I'm my own worst enemy. I run myself into the ground especially when I get down - depressed. I usually can talk myself out of it but sometimes no matter what I say to myself is just not enough. I'm very emotional. I can cry at a drop of a hat. I'd be good in movies. They need someone to cry on cue - that would be me.
I've been looking for some type of group for depression. Most of the stress and anxiety program is for just that , stress and anxiety.
I look back on my life of 58 years and can somewhat understand why I become depressed. There has been a lot of things happen in my life and a lot of it was just life and living.
But i must say that the little cards with inspirational words do help if you are feeling insecure or just not happy with yourself. Some of it has to do with trying to be perfect and no one is that. That is just not an obtainable goal. I use to have to be in control of everything also. I've become more slack and sometimes I'm OK with that and other times I'm not. And then comes the negative thinking and the berating of yourself.
As I said most times I can talk myself out of it. I can tell myself I'm a good person and I'm capable of doing wonderful things. I give myself a pep talk.
Within the last year I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. It's where you can't stay awake and sometimes fall asleep during the day. I have a CPAP machine that puts positive pressure so I don't quit breathing at night. I'm sure you have heard someone snoring and then being real quiet and then start breathing again. That is the purpose of the machine so you don't have those episodes while you sleep. I was waking up tired or feeling like i hadn't slept at all. No energy and just overall fatigue. I thought I was also losing my mind. But anyway since I've been on the machine it has been better.
So getting back to the depression discussion, sometimes I just feel so low and angry and mad and upset about little things or big things and I'm not happy with myself.
Will try to get back on the program again. I do feel better when I listen to the cd's.I did do one thing. It suggested to cut out caffeine and sugar. I'm also wanting to lose some weight. I do feel better.
You have to be willing to change the way you live. That's it in a nutshell.
Glad to have this support circle. Thanks for getting it up and running.