Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
A show of hands, those of you who have dealt with the following over a span of less than 8 years, which I have...
1) Loss of co-worker
2) Loss of wife of 15 years who was only 36 (and I and my 2 daughters saw it happen) just 3 weeks before Christmas
3) Loss of aunt less than 2 months later
4) Loss of pet cat whom we'd had for 12 years
5) Loss of last living grandparent
6) Loss of only sibling
7) And finally, being dumped out of the blue by girlfriend of 5 years less than a week ago
Is it any wonder I'm on a depression forum?
This could have been posted in breakups, widowers, grief, but I put it here simply because I have had depression, or at least was diagnosed with it, for 15 years. I got on a medication that worked but then when all the losses started happening back to back to back...I never really took into consideration the possibility that I might need to change my meds or consider therapy because I was primarily concerned with raising 2 girls on my own. My needs didn't matter.
Now I realize they do matter. I am 53 and don't want to meet an early end. Step one is to do something about the depression. I am a little wary about changing meds because the last time I did (after the first loss) I had such a violent reaction to it I had to go on anti-anxiety meds first before they could put me back on the original anti-depressants. Also, I am on our 4th family doctor in these 8 years, the previous 3 all left our health region on their own. This new doctor I have not seen...
My other issues are largely that of a limited support group. We guys are looked down upon if we open up about what is bothering us, and who wants to constantly be around someone who is always complaining about something? It got to the point where I am sure that is what cost me my girlfriend and other than my co-workers (a select few), the only people I can consider my support are my daughters, who will both be away at college in less than 2 months, and my parents, who are over 2 hours away. I have a hard time approaching people in a social setting, always have, and the first words out of your mouth should never be, "hi, I have depression."
Those of you with your hands still up, you can put them down now. Would like to hear from anyone who has dealt with anything similar and your thoughts on what I can do to help myself.
Sadly, the church community here is crumbling. While not saying where I live, I will say we are a resource town and people are always coming and going, most of them are young, male, and not church goers. Not that I am either...but as the church membership got smaller, churches started sharing buildings. Two churches here have been torn down in the last 2 years and unless you're Catholic, Mormon or Jewish, and I'm none of those, you're sharing a facility and fighting for what few available services they still offer.