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.
I'm 24 years old, iv been free for 5 months now after serving a 4 year sentence that i started when i was 20, i also did 6 months in prison when i was 18, so basically iv spent the whole of my adult life behind bars. iv also recently detoxed off of methadone im about 2 months clean of that now but my depression and anxiety has been worst than ever since stopping it. i did my 4 years in prison for robbery and rightly so my local community brands me a thug and alot of people dont trust me. all my old freinds have children now, some have moved away, the law abiding ones don't want to know bcuz they think im crazy and will get them in trouble. i feel so alone out here, times moved along without me the city i live in has changed, im finding it so hard to adapt. and because im feeling the effects of the methadone detox iv got no energy no motivation or confidence to get out there and meet people, plus my perception of what people think of me for my past. i'm binge drinking which is not good as thats when i tent to commit crimes. im popping pills to control my anxiety its a vicious circle and a downward spirral, i took an overdose 3 weeks ago ended up on life support machine, very lucky to be alive. i am trying to get my head back right a see a psychiatrist im on meds, and i havnt drank for 5 days...i'm just a broken man working a broken plan, hopeing the plan will work...and thats as honest as i can be......JAY
My real name is Catherine and I am glad that you are here. You may call me Rapppciteeinblue or "Rap" which is based upon a Big Band song.
I have seen a lot of people who have been to jail and had trouble previously do very very well in the culinary arts. My husband, though not in the system (by ass luck) enjoys making dishes for people at a local church--the homeless, a daycare, and an entire congregation. He doesn't have to worry about too much interface because he is in the kitchen and people respect him and they cooperate with him because he is the one they know with a great ability to produce tasty food.
We once had an ex convict who helped us, but she got arthritis and fibromyalgia and she had to stop.
Meds are good...gotta get the ones that don't make you too drowsy and with low side effects and gotta get a doctor who will LISTEN, too.
And then finally, my siblings struggled with not just drugs but alcohol. They found Narcotics Anonymous very helpful and have sobriety rates of 20 and 21 years. With alcohol, my dad has also been sober for 38 years, so there is hope.
Trades are good-culinary arts, BMW mechanics (don't laugh, that's a good living there) and welding is not too bad either........
Now if you are not so well with muscles there are also clerical jobs too.
Don't give up,
Rap (Catherine)
I see two points here. First - you really have no choice - if you ever want a semblance of a *normal life* - you have to end all drinking or any kind of drug abuse.
Period.
And here is the other point - considering what you have already lived through - the jail time, the suffering and embarassment that goes with that admission. The drug use. And the depression. And you LIVED through all that. Think of how much stronger of a person that makes you. I may have a college degree and a nice house and all that - but what I do not have is your personal strength.
You have a REAL story. You could become a counselor and change kids lives for the better. I could "preach" my theories all day long, but I could not hold a candle to your testimony.
It may sound twisted - but part of me thinks that you have been given a gift. You have experienced things that 99% of the world is terrified of - and you survived. AND you are still young enough to get whatever degree/certificate it takes to help people.
Then when all is said and done - who will have done the most with their life? Some computer programmer from NE Wisconsin - or you???