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 found daily strength through course in graduate school.. One of the things required for the course is to participate in a support group. Well, I've been wanting to find a depression group for a while so this worked out just fine. I tried another depression group online but it didn't seem to provide what I thought I needed.
I'm a 60 year old gay man. I'm currently living with my disabled son that has been diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder, anxiety disorder nos, and schizoaffective disorder. He has been living with me since 2006 and for about two years we spent months looking for a medication then he decided he wasn't going to take medication because he didn't like the side effects. He also refused therapy because he doesn't believe that it works. Just this week after a particularly bad episode two weeks ago he talked with his provider and started back on meds. I really hope it helps him feel better and he gets a little more stable. When he is unstable it is much harder for me and my stress level is through the roof.
I have a lot of stress. Heart condition, diabetes, depression, lost my job in May2013 so unemployed, in graduate school (trying to get qualified to get a good job), mounting debt and school loans, no insurance for medical or mental health care. Is that enough I probably could come up with more if I really worked on it.
Depression- I've been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) since 25 or 30 years of age so I've dealt with it for a long time. Sometimes I deal with it really good, sometimes just okay, and other times not so well. For years my sleep disturbance was in the form of not being able to sleep but lately it seems like all I want to do is sleep and I'm feeling overwhelmed with stuff I need to do but don't have the energy to get it all done and caught up. I'm really behind on some things.
All this may be too much information but I've been in therapy so long sometimes I forget when telling my story that everyone doesn't want or need to know everything. If I left out something you would like to know just ask. I'll answer almost anything.
I'm a 60 year old gay man. I'm currently living with my disabled son that has been diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder, anxiety disorder nos, and schizoaffective disorder. He has been living with me since 2006 and for about two years we spent months looking for a medication then he decided he wasn't going to take medication because he didn't like the side effects. He also refused therapy because he doesn't believe that it works. Just this week after a particularly bad episode two weeks ago he talked with his provider and started back on meds. I really hope it helps him feel better and he gets a little more stable. When he is unstable it is much harder for me and my stress level is through the roof.
I have a lot of stress. Heart condition, diabetes, depression, lost my job in May2013 so unemployed, in graduate school (trying to get qualified to get a good job), mounting debt and school loans, no insurance for medical or mental health care. Is that enough I probably could come up with more if I really worked on it.
Depression- I've been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) since 25 or 30 years of age so I've dealt with it for a long time. Sometimes I deal with it really good, sometimes just okay, and other times not so well. For years my sleep disturbance was in the form of not being able to sleep but lately it seems like all I want to do is sleep and I'm feeling overwhelmed with stuff I need to do but don't have the energy to get it all done and caught up. I'm really behind on some things.
All this may be too much information but I've been in therapy so long sometimes I forget when telling my story that everyone doesn't want or need to know everything. If I left out something you would like to know just ask. I'll answer almost anything.
It is not selfish for you to focus on yourself right now. If you do, you may find that you are better able to help your son in the future.
I have always tried to make sure that I continue to work on my own recovery because I'm aware that I cannot be available to others without this work. Sometimes it is more difficult than other times but the process is going to continue because I know that being better in my own world view and being able to understand and share the worldview of others is how we help one another.
No, you did not over share here. Some people make their "Hello group" post very short, some write pages and pages of stuff. The right thing for each of us to do here is to share what we are comfortable sharing when we are ready.
Again welcome!
Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. It is nice to know that others understand what depression is and what it is like to experience it.
Nicole
We are in the same class and came here for the same reason. This has to be some kind of fate, if you believe in that, which I do.
The saying everything happens for a reason comes to mind!
Please let me know how I can help. And...in case you are worried, nothing will be mentioned in the courseroom. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and have been finally found relief with cymbalta. It is indeed a long journey that seems as if nothing will ever happen that will make things better.
Don't give up! It appears you have many friends and supporters here, including myself!
Terri