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.
let me start by saying by i never though of using a support group to help with my depression. i don't know if this is going to help me or not but i am willing to try anything. so instead of beating around the bush i will telll you my story. i have had depression and anxiety since i was five. the cause for this my not so pleasant childhood. i have never felt i belong in the family i was born into, and the reason for that is because of how i was treated. i was treated like the black sheep of the family,and that made me think i most of done something wrong. to make them mad at me,so i would try my best to do anything to make them happy to no avail. i figured at a young age no matter what i did i would never make them like me. so that taught me to stop trying to do anything ,and this might be off track a little because this family also taught me that my opion didn't matter either. so i stayed quiet,and never sayed anything to grow attention to myself because i didn't want to be put down anymore. school wasn't any better i was put down there too, and to make matters worse i was treated as a freak at school because i would not talk to anybody but some teachers. because i didn't trust any of the kids. let just say this cycle between school and home continued even through college,and continues to this day.
First, you're not alone and I hope that knowing that will help you to feel at ease sharing. Second, you have to be doing something right, as you thought to come someplace to seek help and comfort, and many aren't able to make a step in that direction.
Having people to talk to can help us to see what's out of order (with others, but also with ourselves, because rarely is the fault all in one place). And talking with others can also help us to see what we can do (or not) to help put things into a more balanced and healthy place.
Like, Baybdots, in addition to talking here and to trusted friends, I'd recommend talking to a minister or counselor, as you've mentioned that this has been a lifelong struggle. When something had been long anchored in our lives, it's often necessary for persons with specialized training and that are unbiased to participate in our reconstruction of a "realistic" view of our lives. We can be so bitter or angry as to not see clearly enough as to be able to help ourselves to change what things we're doing wrong as well as have the strength to set up boundaries with those that may be imposing their opinions and feelings on us.
Have you already read material on relationships, such as identifying what's healthy or not? I'd recommend a series by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend on setting up boundaries. http://www.boundariesbooks.com I always recommend this series to others having issues with relationships because they've helped me with my relationships in the past.
I've been someone who was depressed quite a bit until in my 30's. And I've often felt like the outsider. But I learned that that is just because like everyone, I'm special and I have to learn how to be comfortable with my own unique "special-ness". Sometimes we aren't at peace with own special talents, as well as the way others perceive us (them). And sometimes we are too focused on others and concerned of what they sense or think about us. So talking to a counselor often helps in being made aware of this and how to overcome it.
Let us know how you're doing and I'll be praying for you.