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.
there's struggling and then there's struggling. as bad as i feel and am doing, i know i am not at that point where it's too painful to even breathe for another minute. although having written that, i feel like crying because i know that feeling and have been there too often. right now, i am very depressed but also am dealing with multiple health problems that are making it hard to work. i am off again today. my job is very strenuous and inflexible so that makes it even harder. even going to therapy is too much work for me now. i was supposed to ask this lady out for coffee as a gesture of friendship and i'm not up for it. also dealing with a very ill pet who i love dearly. what i am up for now is a bunch of naps and a long hot bath so that's what i am going to do. i find it really sad that people including me, many people can live such unhappy and unfulfilled lives. because i know some people do better, they find decent relationships, rewarding work, wake up happy, etc. i know some people like that. everybody has struggles but some people's aren't so long term and don't so seriously undermine their happiness. i feel like it's such a waste of life because there are so many cool things in life, many wonderful things but not everyone gets to experience that. not fair. now that i'm getting older my time is getting shorter and it's easier to see that i may never experience a good relationship or have financial security or even get enough rest on a regular basis or be free of physical pain. i may never feel truly loved or feel anything other than dread and pain when i wake up in the morning. i'm not giving up but i am struggling and feel really beat and sad. thanks for listening.
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Just thought I would join this group now that I am a widower. My wife passed away May 28th. She was "The Wind Beneath My Wings". When I met her, I was a drunken, dope smoking, fighting, hell raising biker. She told me if I could get rid of the inner storm within me, that I could be a blessing to people. God placed her in my path to stop me. I have been drug and alcohol free now for 53...
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My husband and I got our foster license last month, after 3 years of hard work (we had to start over multiple times due to family dramas and Mom's open heart surgery). We spent a year preparing the whole house, guest rooms, and children's bathroom for older kids of 7 yr old and up. Then we got a call that we have been approved to receive twin newborn premies. What, what?!! Babies!? Premies?!...
Everyone here cares about you.
Are you on medication or seeing a therapist? Either or both will help. There is no shame in being on meds... especially if it helps.
Im am sorry about your pet- I have been there myself. Pets are family.
If you cant afford or aren't covered for therapy-
I have found local support groups on a site called National Alliance for Mental Illness. www.nami.org. This site is helping a lot too- I cant tell you how helpful it is to find others who experience what you do. Depression can feel like you are the only one and so alone. You aren't!
Do you know Jesus? Or are you trying to walk this out on your own?
Doing anything solo can make life really difficult. You need friends to help you focus, navigate and just plain enjoy life. They can share your sorrows and embellish the joys in your life.
My experiences with depression, sorrow, grief (all of which you seem to be going through right now), showed me that going out for coffee (or whatever) with friends was extremely therapeutic and energizing---especially when it took everything in me to go do it. I think you'll find the same to be true. No matter how you feel, get dressed up and go out anyway. Push yourself toward happiness.
Exercise, no matter how little or much, also helps. It causes your body to pump out endorphins---those wonderful hormones that make us feel good.
Take hope, dear one. You are very important to God and to others.