Support circle for depression
Worked out of a severe clinical depression using this program in 2008. Had a really big rock-in-the-road set back last summer and got through it by returning to parts of this program. Have found a lot of supplemental tools that jump right in with this program's foundational tenets. Have to share what I found to be the best supplement to this program. Note, it is probably most appreciated if you have already worked the program and have real time experience rerouting your brain's neuropathways into more healthy thinking: Mindfulness and the Brain, 6 CD set, Jack Kornfield, PhD, and Daniel J. Siegel, MD.
Welcome Yellek,
The very best advice I can offer is to truly trust this program will help you get a handle on the worst of your depression. When you work each cd, and do ALL the homework, and spend one week on each cd, you are essentially beginning a life changing process inside your brain. You are rerouting actual pathways in your brain. You are forcing yourself to focus on things that are helpful. You are practicing positive thought. You cannot rewire all the depressive pathways in your head unless you know what you are doing, and luckily, the people who put this program together knew what they were doing. Something that is also very, very important, is to realize when you are in the throws of a really dark place, when you wake up and the world is too bleak to even want to get out of bed, what helps is to do something that requires gentle positive focus. I had a lot of those mornings. The most energy I could muster often was just enough to sit and watch the dvd's which accompany the cd's. They were so positive, so kind, they helped me, early in the program, to break the rumination habit. Ruminating over things is one of the worst things we can do when we are depressed. It hard wires our brains to stay stuck. Hope this helps. One step at a time. It's worth it, you are worth it. Hang in there. It is not easy, but it is worth it.
The very best advice I can offer is to truly trust this program will help you get a handle on the worst of your depression. When you work each cd, and do ALL the homework, and spend one week on each cd, you are essentially beginning a life changing process inside your brain. You are rerouting actual pathways in your brain. You are forcing yourself to focus on things that are helpful. You are practicing positive thought. You cannot rewire all the depressive pathways in your head unless you know what you are doing, and luckily, the people who put this program together knew what they were doing. Something that is also very, very important, is to realize when you are in the throws of a really dark place, when you wake up and the world is too bleak to even want to get out of bed, what helps is to do something that requires gentle positive focus. I had a lot of those mornings. The most energy I could muster often was just enough to sit and watch the dvd's which accompany the cd's. They were so positive, so kind, they helped me, early in the program, to break the rumination habit. Ruminating over things is one of the worst things we can do when we are depressed. It hard wires our brains to stay stuck. Hope this helps. One step at a time. It's worth it, you are worth it. Hang in there. It is not easy, but it is worth it.
I found this site because my aunt heard about the program and referred me to it. I haven't bought the program but am interested in finding a support community for depression. I have been in a deep depression since I lost my job in October of 2008. Losing my job affected me and my self esteem so much that it took away alot of what made me me. I miss being myself and wonder if I will ever get it back after going through this difficult time. I've been working with my doctor who has tried lots of different medications to snap me out of my depression these past few years. Nothing seems to work. All I want to do is sleep and I stopped taking care of myself and my house altogether. I stopped caring about anything and just felt numb to all feelings. I've just recently started feeling like talking about it all - I can't keep it all in and just sleep it away anymore. I finally found a good job that I started in February of this year and feel like that should be reason for me to snap out of the depression but I still don't feel like myself. I have seen some improvement which makes me hopeful but want so badly to be the person I was before I had this experience. Talking about all the feelings I've gone through has been tough because no one really understands unless they've been through it. That's why I wanted to find a forum of people who know what it's like to be in a major depression. People that know what it's like to completely lose yourself and lose your ability to function. I want to understand depression in order to overcome it. I've never in my life experienced such a delibilitating illness and felt so powerless to its effects.
Greetings tcis2cul,
The depths we can plunge with depression are truly frightening and while in these scary lonely places our own isolation settles us until we actually hold onto our island of despair. Why? Because we feel so empty, it's as if depression is all we have. You sound like you've been there, but you are replacing the emptiness with a new job. Now that you feel up to it, you want to get an understanding of this thing that had such a hold on you. I'd recommend you work this program because it helps you actually establish a healthier mindset. If you don't intend to use the program, I recommend you read some of the science behind depression by such excellent sources as Jon Kabat Zin, Dacher Keltner, James Pennebaker, James Gordon, Jack Kornfield, Daniel Siegel (all doctors). Pick any one, or several, and study their most recent work. Understanding of how our brains work has changed dramatically in the past 15 years, so stay with recent research.
The depths we can plunge with depression are truly frightening and while in these scary lonely places our own isolation settles us until we actually hold onto our island of despair. Why? Because we feel so empty, it's as if depression is all we have. You sound like you've been there, but you are replacing the emptiness with a new job. Now that you feel up to it, you want to get an understanding of this thing that had such a hold on you. I'd recommend you work this program because it helps you actually establish a healthier mindset. If you don't intend to use the program, I recommend you read some of the science behind depression by such excellent sources as Jon Kabat Zin, Dacher Keltner, James Pennebaker, James Gordon, Jack Kornfield, Daniel Siegel (all doctors). Pick any one, or several, and study their most recent work. Understanding of how our brains work has changed dramatically in the past 15 years, so stay with recent research.
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noname_2520
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:05 pm
tcis2cul: I know what you mean. I too was at that stage maybe worst due to I ended up in a psych ward off and on and I wasn't eating and talking and just sleeping all the time. They actually would force me to take baths and to wake up and do things and I out of anger would fight back which just landed me in being there longer. I know how you feel: i will always remember-it's like a video camera of my emotions stuck that won't erase when I want to erase it. I've notice I'm not the same anymore. Actually, i too wanted to be me again. Than I started thinking that i never knew me. I know now that i am a new person not the same anymore, but a new improved stronger me than ever before and I know with all of my heart you too will be a new, improved, stronger person than ever before. You just need help and I sought help once I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour while i was in the psych ward. I now have the freedom to go to Him anytime I want and especially when I have a hard day and I sense the chronic depression trying to creeping in: like a big tsamnami (I don't think i spelled it correctly) -raging sea rolling on in and once I tell Jesus all that I feel and how I feel,etc it's like he takes it away and I usually cry and feel so much lighter and better and my head is so much clearer especially in my mind. You too can accept Him as your Lord and Saviour and He too is so much willing to hear you and for you to acknowledge Him for God does not want anyone to perish that is why Jesus is not rushing to come back here for He wants to give everyone time to repent and to accept and receive Him. I tell ya, once I repented and accepted Jesus. My life sure changed and it did take time. You see I basically was abused (sexual slavery)as a child age 4 to age 20 yrs old. Took away my childhood,my teenage days,etc all the way to 20 yrs old and than I lived in numbness to age 38 yrs old- and during this time and even including now I was changing into a new person and even still today. I wont' be same that I was yesterday- and thank God that I won't be the same as yesterday! You see, it takes time to be a new improved person. If I was to get rid of this instantly chances are I wouldn't of learned all that God wanted me to learn and I'm not saying God did this to me. He didn't my dad and my mom,brothers did this to me not Him. God knows you and knows and is familiar with your pain: He suffered like and more than we are when He was here on the earth and He is wanting to reach out to You and all you have to do is open the door and invite Him in. Hang in there my beloved friend: He will do the same for you as He did for me for He loves you sooo much!!!! that He died-he took our infirmaties-our transgressions-our sin on himself so that we may live and have eternal life and not just live and die but for us to inherit His Kingdom so that we may dwell with him and once you receive him He will give you His Holy Spirit-the Comforter, the Teacher, the Wisdom,etc.. To help you get through this awful place where you are at and to shine His light in your darkness. I hope and pray you will hang in there and keep on keeping on with your new job and focus on the good things about your job and thank God for all the good things in your life and if you can't seem to see the good things than ask Him to show you like He did for me "cause I was at the place where I couldn't see anything good in my life and ever since than I thank Him on a natural instinct now that is so real now and I'm focusing on there people's needs than my own which keeps me off of myself and my problems and onto others who needs help. The Program is also the next good step to do. Which I've done and still doing. Take Care and may God Bless You..Jupiter7 
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noname_2520
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:05 pm
Hello:juantrejo . I know what you mean I too am on Paroxetine-which is a generic form of Paxill (which costs less & cheaper for me to buy). I didn't want to take it either,but, I came to the conclusion to take it after yo yoing for a long time and since I stuck with it: I have a clear mind so to speak and it took 6to 8 weeks for it to work (which my psychiatrist told me it would take that long). I feel much better and am able to handle what life brings to me whether good or bad: which before I couldn't handle it and went into a chronic depression. I still don't like taking it due to also due to the chronic side effects which include: chronic weight gain (I gained 50lbs). What I had to do was weigh out the options of a clear-thinking mind and wieght gain plus all the other side effects that are affecting me verses the messed up mind and being thin with no side effects except for the physical side effects the chronic depression brought on to me? So I decided I'm tired of sleeping too much, being indoors locked up and in the dark, etc and watching everyone have enjoying their life and I losing my life before my very own eyes. Yeah, I'm overweight plus the other side effects but, i'm exercising and watching what I eat: i adopted a new way of life:vegetarian cooking and positive thinking and loving others as I love myself-to serve others, which to me are goals in my life and helps keep myself off of me=selfishness and unto others=unselfishness and I was unable to do with the help of Paroxetine and it is God whom I give all the glory and thanks=Praise. The decision is really up to you. You have to decide-for no one can decide and shouldn't decide for you except you and that's also discussed in the program. Step up for yourself and do what you know is right in your heart Take care and may God bless you immensely-Graciously: Jupiter7
. I know what you mean I too am on Paroxetine-which is a generic form of Paxill (which costs less & cheaper for me to buy). I didn't want to take it either,but, I came to the conclusion to take it after yo yoing for a long time and since I stuck with it: I have a clear mind so to speak and it took 6to 8 weeks for it to work (which my psychiatrist told me it would take that long). I feel much better and am able to handle what life brings to me whether good or bad: which before I couldn't handle it and went into a chronic depression. I still don't like taking it due to also due to the chronic side effects which include: chronic weight gain (I gained 50lbs). What I had to do was weigh out the options of a clear-thinking mind and wieght gain plus all the other side effects that are affecting me verses the messed up mind and being thin with no side effects except for the physical side effects the chronic depression brought on to me? So I decided I'm tired of sleeping too much, being indoors locked up and in the dark, etc and watching everyone have enjoying their life and I losing my life before my very own eyes. Yeah, I'm overweight plus the other side effects but, i'm exercising and watching what I eat: i adopted a new way of life:vegetarian cooking and positive thinking and loving others as I love myself-to serve others, which to me are goals in my life and helps keep myself off of me=selfishness and unto others=unselfishness and I was unable to do with the help of Paroxetine and it is God whom I give all the glory and thanks=Praise. The decision is really up to you. You have to decide-for no one can decide and shouldn't decide for you except you and that's also discussed in the program. Step up for yourself and do what you know is right in your heart Take care and may God bless you immensely-Graciously: Jupiter7Hi, my name is Sandy and I've had depression for about 40 yrs. Some of the times have been better than others but I don't remember being happy. I did what I thought should be done- get married, have kids etc but the depression was always hanging around. I love my boys so much but they deserved and still do deserve better than me. Their father died 13 yrs ago and it's just been me to raise them. They are young men now and I worry for their futures. I've been to different shrinks through the years and have been on many meds and even tried ECT in 2001. Now that's worn off and I'm having anxiety attacks daily. I'm on week 2 of the program and I'm hoping it will do me some good but it's hard getting through the days alone trying not to think of suicide but not seeing any hope for the future. I pray to God daily for help. I don't know what else to do. I hope he answers me soon. I keep taking the new meds the shrink is giving me and holding on each day. I hope something works cause I can't stay like this for the rest of my life. Thanks for letting me vent.--- SandyMcP
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noname_2520
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:05 pm
Dear Sandy may God Bless you. May God Bless you immensely,Enlarge your territory,May God's Almighty hand be upon you (every second-I believe He is), and May He keep you from evil.
Hang in there Sandy. I know God knows very well with what your dealing with. I too told God that my kids deserve better than me. Now their 15 and 18 yrs old. But, God showed me which is for you too for God does not have any favorites: you are precious to God (I Peter 2:4 ), you are His Child (John 1:12), you are connected to the true vine ( John 15:15), you are Jesus friend (John 15:5) God loves you so much that He gave-He sent His precious, beautiful Son and Jesus was so willing with such Great Love for you that He died-gave His life for you (John 3:16). He knows you so intimately (Psalm 139:1-14-He knit you in your mother's womb and he knows your thoughts from afar,etc.. This means first of all He loves you sooo much that He gave up His throne, heaven and came to earth born of a virgin so He could save you and me and everyone like us who is in need of a Saviour, a friend, a brother, a Prince of Peace,etc... What I started doing when I was in depression and believe me it was hard: i told Jesus what i was feeling today as soon as i woke up at all hours of the night,etc.. in doing this I didn't realize I was giving Him my burdens, and eventually, I started reading the bible-I started reading the book of Matthew. than eventually onto Mark, Luke,John. than eventually I started going to church again and than staying after service for bible school. What I learned is that I needed to feed me spiritually with the Word Of God so that it would give me inner strength, and to survive onto the next hour and day and eventually i felt better and stronger and than I started setting time aside to work on the program. I'm still on Lesson 3-the negative thinking this is my battle. I've been on 3 for along time, but, I know I need to overcome it in order for me to go on to the next lesson, like Lucinda says: lesson 3 is one of the key lessons-so i cannot skip it or the program won't work for me. Also, if you have a audio or a DVD Bible would also work great and even at night when going to bed put it on so you can hear and on softly and it to will give you peace and calmness for the Word of God is full of living power . I can't imagine how it is to raise kids on my own. I give you my condolences (i hope i spelled it right ).Keep on talking to God and keep on asking Him for help and I'll be praying for you too. God Bless you sandy-I believe God will make all things work out for good for you and your family-remember you don't have to worry about your kids-give them to Jesus and Jesus will take care of them for only He can save,protect, love them in the areas that are only He can fill and were meant to be filled by Him for He created them: Genesis 1:26-27 and Psalm 139 and He only can fill every need that we as parents, even their friends, etc can't fill for again He created them and they belong to Him to begin with we are stewards of His-slaves of Christ. And most people would look at this in a negative like wrong way: But, I say No. Being stewards don't mean we don't care, we don't love, etc.. No. We do care, we do LOVE them that overflows with His-Christ's love not ours.We take care of them for Him, etc... Again, God Bess you Sandy and keep on keeping on and keep praising God for the people(your kids)friends,family, and even things (clean water, freedom,heat,sunshine, etc.. and remember it'll take some time-it's all a process and ask God maybe there is a lesson for you to learn-meaning to grow in Him as His child ask Him whatever the lesson is that you would grow from it and become closer to Him and that it draws others to Him too. Take care and Graciously, Jupiter7
Hang in there Sandy
. I know God knows very well with what your dealing with. I too told God that my kids deserve better than me. Now their 15 and 18 yrs old. But, God showed me which is for you too for God does not have any favorites: you are precious to God (I Peter 2:4 ), you are His Child (John 1:12), you are connected to the true vine ( John 15:15), you are Jesus friend (John 15:5) God loves you so much that He gave-He sent His precious, beautiful Son and Jesus was so willing with such Great Love for you that He died-gave His life for you (John 3:16). He knows you so intimately (Psalm 139:1-14-He knit you in your mother's womb and he knows your thoughts from afar,etc.. This means first of all He loves you sooo much that He gave up His throne, heaven and came to earth born of a virgin so He could save you and me and everyone like us who is in need of a Saviour, a friend, a brother, a Prince of Peace,etc... What I started doing when I was in depression and believe me it was hard: i told Jesus what i was feeling today as soon as i woke up at all hours of the night,etc.. in doing this I didn't realize I was giving Him my burdens, and eventually, I started reading the bible-I started reading the book of Matthew. than eventually onto Mark, Luke,John. than eventually I started going to church again and than staying after service for bible school. What I learned is that I needed to feed me spiritually with the Word Of God so that it would give me inner strength, and to survive onto the next hour and day and eventually i felt better and stronger and than I started setting time aside to work on the program. I'm still on Lesson 3-the negative thinking this is my battle. I've been on 3 for along time, but, I know I need to overcome it in order for me to go on to the next lesson, like Lucinda says: lesson 3 is one of the key lessons-so i cannot skip it or the program won't work for me. Also, if you have a audio or a DVD Bible would also work great and even at night when going to bed put it on so you can hear and on softly and it to will give you peace and calmness for the Word of God is full of living power . I can't imagine how it is to raise kids on my own. I give you my condolences (i hope i spelled it right ).Keep on talking to God and keep on asking Him for help and I'll be praying for you too. God Bless you sandy-I believe God will make all things work out for good for you and your family-remember you don't have to worry about your kids-give them to Jesus and Jesus will take care of them for only He can save,protect, love them in the areas that are only He can fill and were meant to be filled by Him for He created them: Genesis 1:26-27 and Psalm 139 and He only can fill every need that we as parents, even their friends, etc can't fill for again He created them and they belong to Him to begin with we are stewards of His-slaves of Christ. And most people would look at this in a negative like wrong way: But, I say No. Being stewards don't mean we don't care, we don't love, etc.. No. We do care, we do LOVE them that overflows with His-Christ's love not ours.We take care of them for Him, etc... Again, God Bess you Sandy and keep on keeping on and keep praising God for the people(your kids)friends,family, and even things (clean water, freedom,heat,sunshine, etc.. and remember it'll take some time-it's all a process and ask God maybe there is a lesson for you to learn-meaning to grow in Him as His child ask Him whatever the lesson is that you would grow from it and become closer to Him and that it draws others to Him too. Take care and Graciously, Jupiter7