Greetings Roselo, and a huge big welcome. I am so glad to know you have this program. It does seem to emphasize anxiety and panic disorder; but the good news is the results, as you progress along week to week, are very effective in guiding you out of the dark forest of depression. I would not tell you this if I hadn't been there. I'm two days into Session 14, so will be a graduate of the program very soon. The real events which have occurred in my own life (since my first day on session one) would put any depression treatment program to the test. I'm still here, and I'm going to be okay.
Cutting out the caffeine and excess sugar does help A LOT! I had a coffee drinking chocolate cookie habit. Now I drink decaf and limit the chocolate. You don't have to exclude things entirely, just think moderation.
As for sleep apnea, that is a very serious disorder and I am so glad yours in being addressed by your doctor, and that you have your machine for night time.
You are so correct. You DO have to change. I wanted to get better, and I was willing to do whatever I needed to work through this program. I will begin it again when I finish, but only because I want the reinforcement. Two times is better than one (for me).
Join this community. Find people who are similar and who are helpful to you in their replies (to you or others) and PM them. Collect some buddies here. Stay with the program. Get support. The view on the other side of that dark forest of depression is in my sights. I am telling you, it really does exist. I am so happy you wrote to us here. Many who read this will be cheering for you, too.
Kind regards, Pecos
Support circle for depression
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estherbunny
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:02 pm
I am feeling very low, and am trying to find my way out of it. Here's a little background. I have had A and D all my life. I have had PAs, too, but not too often, except more recently, meaning maybe the last five years, and fortunately not too frequently. I had an extremely abusive childhood of incest and physical and emotional abuse. I feel that I have spent my whole life (and I am over 60), trying to feel better. Right now, I am going through the program for the second time. I see a therapist once a week, I take a ton of vitamins (but no prescription drugs... I tried many in the past, but they did not work for me), I exercise every day, I eat well, and I am not overweight. I also have a loving and supportive husband, and friends who care for me greatly, as well as a job I like. And I have no real money problems. About a month ago, I was feeling the best I have ever felt, but then I started to do a slow nose dive. I don't know why. I haven't changed anything, I am still doing the homework, etc., but it just doesn't seem to be "working". And, of course, when I'm depressed, I feel like I am never going to get well and stay well. It feels like everything I do is just "window dressing", and the "real" me is just this depressed, anxious, fearful person, who is so damaged that nothing can help. Any suggestions would be gratefully accepted..
Estherbunny, WOW, I DO HEAR YOU! Yes, depression is like a cold, it wants to hang around and become part of the family. You've been through this program, so I can offer this advice because, I, too, have had to deal with serious clinical depression. This advice comes right out of Session 14, and it is simply incredibly good stuff for depression:
Get out your journal. Your old wrong thinking, those old lies you've always told yourself, are creeping back. Start writing them down again. Catch them and get them down in your journal. At the end of the day read through what you've written and ask yourself What are you talking yourself into? Are you talking yourself into going right back to a life of depression? Now rework that thinking. Estherbunny, it's taking control of your world again. Look in the mirror. Tell yourself, ENOUGH of that kind of thinking. Not again. You've got the tools. You can do this. Repeat the program. But today and tomorrow, and maybe this week, you get out Session 14 and you review it, over and over. The answers are there. And then write back to us at the end of the week. I really want you to do this. Do it for yourself. Kind regards and here's cheering for you, Pecos
Get out your journal. Your old wrong thinking, those old lies you've always told yourself, are creeping back. Start writing them down again. Catch them and get them down in your journal. At the end of the day read through what you've written and ask yourself What are you talking yourself into? Are you talking yourself into going right back to a life of depression? Now rework that thinking. Estherbunny, it's taking control of your world again. Look in the mirror. Tell yourself, ENOUGH of that kind of thinking. Not again. You've got the tools. You can do this. Repeat the program. But today and tomorrow, and maybe this week, you get out Session 14 and you review it, over and over. The answers are there. And then write back to us at the end of the week. I really want you to do this. Do it for yourself. Kind regards and here's cheering for you, Pecos
I join this program to overcome a depression that I suffer for long time. I am taking medications and I feel a little bid better, but not well. I am visiting a psychologist trying to find out the cause of my depression, I am also taking Wellbutrin 300 XL and flouxetine .5 everyday. I don’t want to socialize with anybody and only thinking that I need to go out to do groceries makes me more tired. Sometimes I feel better in the morning and thinking about going shopping makes me feel good, but as the day pass by energy level goes down the drain. Any advise!!
Hi,
I'm new here. I got my box today and just opened it, need to look through. I am SO afraid that it won't work though? I have had depression and other still tbd things for well over a year now. For about a year it has often also stoppe dme from doing things/keeping dates/appts/avoiding doing things I had wanted (or just thought I wanted?) to do. I haven't been in touch with anyone in my family until about a week ago, but it may have beena mistake or too soon to call. I used o be really good at putting on a show and somehow kept on staying busy and doing things. But for quite some time I haven't been able to do the doing part and it has been affecting things. I feel stuck, a shadow of what I used to be. I worry that I will never be me again. I worry about what people think and a lot about letting people down. I can't seem to explain thjings and I can't put into words how it feels on the really darker days. Everyone else seems so normal, which is why I don't keep in touch with some of my old friends. And sometimes, I know it's not a solution, but I would rather make martinis and watch sex & the city on my days off than go out and do things. I am going to go back downstairs and hopefully I will eventually look inside the box. I just have this relal bad habit of seeing other people doing things, other people, other ople....but not me. I am just trying to let myself type without editing. I'm not sure if I am in the right forum but thank you for reading and if I take awhile to come back and type again that is just me right now. Can I ask for luck though? I am so afraid this box is not me and that it/i am hopeless. Thanks.
I'm new here. I got my box today and just opened it, need to look through. I am SO afraid that it won't work though? I have had depression and other still tbd things for well over a year now. For about a year it has often also stoppe dme from doing things/keeping dates/appts/avoiding doing things I had wanted (or just thought I wanted?) to do. I haven't been in touch with anyone in my family until about a week ago, but it may have beena mistake or too soon to call. I used o be really good at putting on a show and somehow kept on staying busy and doing things. But for quite some time I haven't been able to do the doing part and it has been affecting things. I feel stuck, a shadow of what I used to be. I worry that I will never be me again. I worry about what people think and a lot about letting people down. I can't seem to explain thjings and I can't put into words how it feels on the really darker days. Everyone else seems so normal, which is why I don't keep in touch with some of my old friends. And sometimes, I know it's not a solution, but I would rather make martinis and watch sex & the city on my days off than go out and do things. I am going to go back downstairs and hopefully I will eventually look inside the box. I just have this relal bad habit of seeing other people doing things, other people, other ople....but not me. I am just trying to let myself type without editing. I'm not sure if I am in the right forum but thank you for reading and if I take awhile to come back and type again that is just me right now. Can I ask for luck though? I am so afraid this box is not me and that it/i am hopeless. Thanks.
Recognizing depression -- and especially acknowledging its deleterious affect on your ability to function -- that is the first step, and you’ve both already taken that step.
Welcome. Yes, you can do this. The only thing that will get in your way is you. Open that box and start reading some of the introduction material. When you are ready, watch your DVD “Jump Start, The Road to Recovery.” And then, perhaps, watch it again. When you are ready, listen to your Session One CD.
This program is a compilation of theories and practice which have been around and used by therapists and doctors for a long time. The creation of this program involved an enormous amount of kindness, because it is designed with YOU in mind, and it will walk you through your own recovery. It does work. You have to make the commitment with yourself to involve yourself in the program, stick with it, and join this community for help and support. This online community is your group, and in many ways, it is also your "Talk Therapy."
Yes, you can do this. Believe in yourself, and let the program go to work.
Welcome. Yes, you can do this. The only thing that will get in your way is you. Open that box and start reading some of the introduction material. When you are ready, watch your DVD “Jump Start, The Road to Recovery.” And then, perhaps, watch it again. When you are ready, listen to your Session One CD.
This program is a compilation of theories and practice which have been around and used by therapists and doctors for a long time. The creation of this program involved an enormous amount of kindness, because it is designed with YOU in mind, and it will walk you through your own recovery. It does work. You have to make the commitment with yourself to involve yourself in the program, stick with it, and join this community for help and support. This online community is your group, and in many ways, it is also your "Talk Therapy."
Yes, you can do this. Believe in yourself, and let the program go to work.
Hello all, I am amother lifer. My first suicide attempt was at age 15. I have made the rounds of meds, counseling, groups and books. I too am afraid that this program won't work for me. But because of my past work, I know that I am also afraid of getting better! How will this change my life, who will I be when I am no longer depressed, what will I talk about? How crazy is that?
I am only on week three, I haven't begun to write down the negative thoughts, there are just so many. I am going through a very trying time, looking for a job, losing the "love of my life", having to move out of his home. I feel like I'm being punished. I will be 50 in 5 weeks, competing with many younger job-seekers is making it very difficult to feel good about myself. My depression has effected my work history, I haven't held a job longer than 18 mo. for years.
I'm not giving up though. It is just so hard some days to make any effort. How many times can I be rejected and get up again?
I am only on week three, I haven't begun to write down the negative thoughts, there are just so many. I am going through a very trying time, looking for a job, losing the "love of my life", having to move out of his home. I feel like I'm being punished. I will be 50 in 5 weeks, competing with many younger job-seekers is making it very difficult to feel good about myself. My depression has effected my work history, I haven't held a job longer than 18 mo. for years.
I'm not giving up though. It is just so hard some days to make any effort. How many times can I be rejected and get up again?
Hi Lexa. Welcome! I am so glad you have a good positive decision to not give up. When I was in the depths of my worst days, I would always find memories of really wonderful moments in my life. I would also recall all the spectacular things about life: pets, friends, warm fires in the winter, cool ceiling fans in the summer, mountain streams, big rivers, just all those fabulous things I wanted to see again. And I kept on going. You are among kind people here. Best wishes.
I think I need someone to tie me up to a chair and force me to go throught this program again! I got it a couple of years ago and went thru most of it and I think it may have helped a bit. I also got some meds that seemed to help and there was a lot less stress and change in my life so, for the last 2 falls and winters, I've been ok.
Now I feel myself sinking back into that hole
again. I've gone to a new job and miss my co-workers and students. The people at my new job are as nice as can be, but I certainly can't talk to them and lean on them the way I could at my old job and I miss that comfort zone. Or maybe it's just my crazy brain acting up again. I don't know what it is, but I know I want to feel better and be able to get things done in a timely manner. The depression hinders me from doing that and it even keeps me from getting back into this program again which may have helped me once and seems to have helped lots of others. I don't even call and hang out with friends anymore even though I know it's exactly what I need. This thing many of us suffer from is really a monster, and a support circle is exactly what I could use. Anyone know of groups in the Chicago area?
Now I feel myself sinking back into that hole
again. I've gone to a new job and miss my co-workers and students. The people at my new job are as nice as can be, but I certainly can't talk to them and lean on them the way I could at my old job and I miss that comfort zone. Or maybe it's just my crazy brain acting up again. I don't know what it is, but I know I want to feel better and be able to get things done in a timely manner. The depression hinders me from doing that and it even keeps me from getting back into this program again which may have helped me once and seems to have helped lots of others. I don't even call and hang out with friends anymore even though I know it's exactly what I need. This thing many of us suffer from is really a monster, and a support circle is exactly what I could use. Anyone know of groups in the Chicago area?
Nice to find this support group. I posted a question the other day, specifically asking if this program would work for me since I don't really deal with anxiety, but am dealing with depression, and have been for at least 20 years.
Pecos, I've read several of your posts, and I have thoroughly enjoyed your comments. I love how upbeat they are, even though you at times you have struggled. You are able to say your feelings without bringing more sadness & darkness in. Thank you. I've tried other forums before and I had to stop because many of the posts were sad, and it would end up making me more sad and depressed.
I am here to help heal myself, to change my way of thinking, and mindset. I'm tired of feeling dark, sad, depressed, guilty, worthless, etc. The list could go on and on. Thanks for all the great posts in this forum. I have just started this program - listening to Lesson 1 for my 2nd time this week. I really want it to work. I know that if we believe this can work, and do all we can to help change ourselves into the people we are meant to be - who God designed us to be - then it can happen.
Good luck to all of you. Keep those posts coming. Glad I found you guys!
Pecos, I've read several of your posts, and I have thoroughly enjoyed your comments. I love how upbeat they are, even though you at times you have struggled. You are able to say your feelings without bringing more sadness & darkness in. Thank you. I've tried other forums before and I had to stop because many of the posts were sad, and it would end up making me more sad and depressed.
I am here to help heal myself, to change my way of thinking, and mindset. I'm tired of feeling dark, sad, depressed, guilty, worthless, etc. The list could go on and on. Thanks for all the great posts in this forum. I have just started this program - listening to Lesson 1 for my 2nd time this week. I really want it to work. I know that if we believe this can work, and do all we can to help change ourselves into the people we are meant to be - who God designed us to be - then it can happen.
Good luck to all of you. Keep those posts coming. Glad I found you guys!