Support circle for depression

Scott Demeter · Post by **Scott Demeter** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:28 am

I'd be interested also in a support group for depression. Depression is my worst symptom. Since starting Lucinda's program, I feel more anxious--or at least recognizing it more. I also monitor my negative thoughts. Jesus, it's a persistent stream throughout the day.

Does the course work for depressives? Will it? I've been struggling with depression for about forty years. I don't want to live the rest of my life this way.

Scott

Scott Demeter · Post by **Scott Demeter** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:32 am

How do we start a support circle for depression on-line?

Scott

NicNic · Post by **NicNic** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 4:59 am

Glad to join.

pecos · Post by **pecos** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:55 am

Hello and welcome to everyone who has written here, wanting to join the support circle. Guess what, you are part of the Support Circle simply by posting in the Depression Forum. The Depression Forum is your unique support community where others who feel similarly, or have recovered from similar experiences, can read and reply to your problems. I would like to strongly recommend anyone who reads this to also scroll back through all the previous thread posts under the Depression Forum, and read these. It might take you several hours, but you will be amazed at how much you will learn about your depression, and you will find enormous helpful advice and even some great tools. Best of luck to all.

PS: Helpful posts are those that offer hope. The words used are uplifting. The tone is positive. When you post something, try to remember these tips. Notice the types of posts which are most helpful to you. Take notes from those posts. And when you cannot offer insight, remember that sometimes it is just as important to simply tell a person you hear them, you are listening, you are there.

Rachel Erickson · Post by **Rachel Erickson** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:29 am

I would like to join the support group. What do I need to do to join the group?

pecos · Post by **pecos** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:09 am

Greetings again to all who want to know how to join the Support Circle group. You don't have to do anything. You are a member of the group simply by participating in the Depression Forum. The people who are members of this group are the people who suffer from depression and post and reply here, in the Depression Forum. You don't have to ask to be a member, you don't need to join. You are automatically a member of this group because you are here, posting. The strength of the Depression Forum comes from people like yourself, and all the others who post and reply here. You are offering your ear, your understanding, and your advice when you have some; and you are receiving this same support from others. It's that easy.
I completed the StressCenter.com program, with success and a good recovery from depression, early last autumn. I seldom visit this community now. It is up to those who are working on recovering from their depression to keep these posts alive. It's basically up to each of you who want to be a part of the Support Circle. Help each other. There is strength in each of you. Your kind words, your listening ear, these do so much to help others recover.

Goober25 · Post by **Goober25** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:02 am

I agree that we need to keep these forums alive which we seem to be doing well, but what has also been extremly helpful is the chat room. I could spend hours in there talking to people about anxiety,depression, the programs, meds, etc. If you haven't checked out the chat room I highley recommend that you do!

Rainey Cummings · Post by **Rainey Cummings** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 6:20 am

I have written to this group before and did not get any response so I just wanted to let you know that I am very interested in joining the circle.

I was just released from the hospital after a two week stay. I had 5 electric shock therapy which I don't feel helped me. The doctor wanted me to stay another 2 weeks for an additional 6 to 8 more treatments. I just could not stay there any longer so I refused the additional treatments.

They wanted to continue the treatments on an out patient basis but the hospital was 2 1/2 hour drive one way. Since I don't drive any longer there was no way I could ask someone else to spend their time driving me all over the place.

If anyone knows and thing about ETC treatments (electric shock treatments) and has had good success with it I would like to hear about it. This could help me make up my mind as to whether I will go back into the hospital and have the rest of the treatments.

Thanks for any advise anyone has

Vikki5025 · Post by **Vikki5025** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 6:35 am

This Message is especially for RAINEY CUMMINGS. I went through ECT and it did not work for me either - don't waste your time continuing these treatments. I have been diagnosed with Major Depression and the only thing that helps me is to do things that will make me feel better. This is VERY HARD FOR A DEPRESSED PERSON AS YOU KNOW - YOU MUST BE DETERMINED. For me, getting oxygen in my system really helps. If I go for a two mile walk outside I feel better. If I go for a run I feel proud of myself. I have gained 30 pounds due to my depression and this makes me more depressed because I was always the girl with the most perfect figure. I need to be friends with somebody like you who understands our lack of motivation due to our depression. We can help each other. I am depressed right now because I gained all this weight. However, as soon as I complete this email I am going jogging. Please go do SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE and say nice things to yourself. Email me back afterwards and stay in touch - WE CAN SUCCEED IF WE WANT TO BADLY ENOUGH. God Bless and never give up.
Vikki Grounds

Scott Demeter · Post by **Scott Demeter** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:41 am

To Rainey, especially--I have depression, too, for like 40 years. I will be 51 next month. I have been through about 25 years of various modalities of psychotherapy; they might have given me some insight but did not retard the ongoing onslaught of OCD and depression. Luckily I have been with a psychiatrist who has put me on a drug regimen that has greatly improved both my OCD symptoms and depression. However, they still remain a problem that is yet to be solved. I also had ECT without a change. I know it has worked for some people; some even get "maintenance" ECT every few months. I know Dick Cavett swears by it. I must say, though, that I was damaged by it. It DESTROYED my memory, not just of things that occured in the past--I can't seem to form new memories well. For instance, if I see a movie I won't remember any of it within a few days. Reading retention is also not there. I don't process the way I used to. I was once analytical and deep--now I'm sorta a simpleton. Anyway, I wouldn't want you to have the same experience I had. ...I am in a study for Deep Brain Stimulation for depression. I had a type of brain surgery in which an electrode is connected to a part of the brain that is a pleasure center; this electrode has a lead that enters into a battery that is placed under my chest. When the battery is activated, I am supposed to feel depressive relief and be uplifted. So far I feel nothing, and it's been 2 months. It must be said that it is a double-blind study--so I may not be getting the current. I don't believe I am. In another 4 months, the researcher will tell me if the battery was turned on or off. If it was not on during the initial 6 months, it WILL be activated for the next 6. It sounds scary, but it really isn't. I'm just frustrated that there has been no change thus far. I just received Lucinda's course and I finished session 2. Tomorrow I will start session 3. I'm giving it my all. Maybe it will help me. How are you doing with the program? ...Again before you return to ECT just consider what happened to me. I know of two other people who also suffered the same effects. ECT is also a temporary solution. Depression does come back. They often use ECT when the patient's life is in danger (suicide) and when nothing else has worked. ...Rainey and all, please respond. If I can help in any way...It IS important to exercise (especially aerobic) and to treat yourself like a king/queen. Do things that give you some comfort: a TV show, a nice dinner, a talk with a friend, reading a good book, following Lucinda's program. ...Thanks for reading!

Scott