Support circle for depression

BellaLety · Post by **BellaLety** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 4:27 am

Happy New Year everyone!!
I think that finally my psycology got the right medication for me, since the past 3 weeks I am feeling better, more energize,alert,optimistic and that is a big step for me. I order this program in March and I haven't pass section 3 I don't know why? Has anyone had the same problem?

pecos · Post by **pecos** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:35 am

I am happy to see familiar people here. That is always comforting. As for being stuck on Session Three, that happened to me as well. I cannot speak for anyone else, but to tell you the truth, I was stuck on Session Three, having trouble moving on to Four, out of FEAR. I was afraid if I didn't GET Session Three, I'd fail at everything here. I was in total fear of not doing it perfectly. Eventually, I did not get beyond the fear so much as I got beyond the ridiculousness of the fear. And I moved on. I did get the skills and tools in Three, and I did well on the remainder of the program. When I fall on my face these days it's because of me. I have the skills, my fix it tool box is quite adequately stocked. But I have to use the skills, or I do go back to some old bad habits. It's a matter of practice. I did stuff that did not work for so many years, its easy to fall back to doing that old stuff. I will not be lazy about this. I will keep using these skills. Take the time you need, but do move on to Session Four. Go beyond that fear. It's not rational fear. Best wishes.

debchance · Post by **debchance** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:22 pm

I took two weeks on session three and still didn't feel ready to move on. I knew I had negative self talk but thought I recognized it and did a pretty good job of correcting it once I did it. But the actual task of writing it down in a notebook was so powerful it was overwhelming. It was like opening the floodgates of hell once I started writing. I thought I would never be able to put the pen down the thoughts were so numerous and bombarding me from every direction. Wow. The notebook is SOOOOO important in that session. It was a scary one though. I try to write at least four a day in my notebook still and it helps, I notice I am not so swamped with them like at first. I thought it would never be possible to do that exercise the right way and function or get anything done. Like I said, I couldn't even put down the stinking pen!
The most powerful part of it though is reforming the thought into an alternative thought that is positive or more realistic. That has been huge for me. I now find I am writing one negative thought and several alternative ones to counter it and it is very positive and empowering.

debchance · Post by **debchance** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:38 pm

I want to add that like Pecos I wanted to do session 3 perfectly and was afraid if I didn't it wouldn't work. The fear was paralyzing. I felt that way with every step in the program until that point but not so intensely and acutely until this session. It is good to know I am not the only one who has felt this way.
Pecos, missed you for a few days, I am glad you are back. You were one of the very first ones who welcomed me here and gave me encouragement. Thank you. I hope your friend's doing better. As a recovering alcoholic I know the insanity of wanting to get better but not being willing to actually work for it. Hopefully he will reach the point he is ready and willing to work for it. You have been a good friend. I know it is not easy to suspend judgement. I even have a hard time with it and I have walked in those shoes!

Stressed Momma · Post by **Stressed Momma** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:47 pm

Once I started my 2nd week today I also realized alot of problems are with depression not so much anxiety. I get anxious because I'm depressed. Any insites. I just feel like sleeping the day away. I've been diagnosed with hypersomnia or narcalepsy but they can't find out why and the medicines they have had me try don't work very well. Any help on trying or even wanting to stay awake and enjoy the day. Instead of wanting to crawl back in bed.

debchance · Post by **debchance** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 3:31 pm

Stressed Momma,
Wow, you sound like me! I do have sleep apnea but they also were thinking narcolepsy and/or hypersomnia. The medications they gave me didn't work either but I was also taking antidepressants that were majorly contributing to my fatigue. I got to where I couldn't even drive because of the hypersomnolence. Anyways it sounds like you are definitely depressed and that will make you want to sleep all day by itself. Are you on any antidepressants? My best advice having been there is to tell yourself it will not last forever, you are taking steps to get better and as long as you have a thread of hope you will get better. Hang on and don't beat yourself up for not wanting to get out of bed. Give yourself enormous credit when you do get up. Tell yourself you will get up for ten or twenty or whatever time limit is reasonable and then give yourself permisssion to take a break. If you feel like doing more do more if not don't. Above all please don't beat yourself up. You are not alone. My heart goes out to you, it is only in the last two months with the proper medication and this program that I am getting out of bed and am starting to get my life back on track for the first time in literally years of not functioning.

JRae · Post by **JRae** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:54 am

Hi all,

I got my program right before the Christmas/Hanukkah holidays so I stashed it in the bedroom. I just got it out today and took my first supplement dose. Hope it doesn't interfere with my prescription. I have struggled with depression and anxiety for some years now.

I went for therapy a couple of times in college and then got serious about 10 years later. Since then, I have been off and on with therapists and medications. I'm sick of it.

Hopefully, this program will be the answers I need. Thanks.

debchance · Post by **debchance** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:06 am

Welcome JRae

pecos · Post by **pecos** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:57 pm

Hi All. Debchance, thanks so much for the kind mentions. Always is nice to know when we have helped. You are quite an inspiration to so many here as well.
I do hope all the new members stay with their sessions and homework. The same-old-same-old only gets us the same old results and the same old reactions from others in our lives. If you have this program, you have a key to a new life. Best wishes.

K.Denise C · Post by **K.Denise C** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:59 pm

Well, I'll try this again. I typed out a lengthy paragraph introducing myself to the support circle but I don't know where it ended up. At times I have a hard time navigating around the forums. I'm in my second week of the program and trying hard to stay focused on it. Like many of you, my #1 issue is depression. My heart goes out to those that struggle with panic attacks on a regular basis. More than once I've wondered if this is really going to help me with my depression. I have very negative thinking, to the point where I don't feel as though anyone wants to really be around me. Quite frankly I don't blame them. Hopefully this will appear in the support circle for depression. If so I will post more later. It will be nice to have someone to visit with who understands what it feels like being in a deep dark hole.