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 have led a very hard life and have been left with depression since I was 3, PTSD to the point that I have to take daily meds for panic attacks, have RA and osteoarthritis and along with sever depression, am always, always in pain.
I came to this site thinking that I would get support for these things and have found nothing. I'm not sure what I am doing wrong and would appreciate someone from here telling me, Instead of support, I only feel lonelier. When is it going to end?????
I came to this site thinking that I would get support for these things and have found nothing. I'm not sure what I am doing wrong and would appreciate someone from here telling me, Instead of support, I only feel lonelier. When is it going to end?????
My name is Pepper, and I am one of the user moderators of the site. Here are some of my observations about the site.
It is important to 'establish a presence' here. The best way to do that is to comment on posts. Not just to post, but to add something. Sometimes it is hard to say any more than the fact that you are sorry that somebody is going through trouble.
Send hugs to users that post frequently, ones who you identify with. Overdoing it can be a bit scary, but sending a few hugs a day to different people is a good way. Make them to the point, kind of like if you saw them in real life and had a short comment to make.
Post things; again don't flood the board with posts. The main board is the best place to post your thoughts/feelings. These 'Advice' boards are not always viewed by many users when they log in.
Every board has its own personality. Things that go over well on one board may need a different approach on another board. It is pretty easy to get a read on each board by hanging around and reading a lot of posts.
The more we put into the site, the more we get out of it.
DS people, particularly in the DEPRESSION 'group' are compassionate people, ... and try to be as helpful as possible.
Everthing ThePepperMan said is spot on. I totally agree with him.
I don't think DS or the people OF DS can stop depression. We can TRY to help each other manage it. Even then, it is not 'formal therapy'. The nature of DS is 'hit and miss' ... it is simply the architecture of the website. I simply do not want you to have unrealistic expectations.
I have been on DS several years, and I know of many others who have been here that long or longer. We DO help each other and are willing to do 'what we can' for anyone. There are those who claim DS 'saved their lives', .. others have left in a few days.
I suggest you 'dwell' among us ... and give what you can ... and take what you wish.
Follow Pepper's suggestions ... and see what comes from it. That, .. along with working with the medical profession should allow you to EFFECTIVELY manage your state of mind. It usually takes trying just about everything ... with professional help leading the way.
Thank you for your advice. I do have a therapist and a psychologist and have been seeing them since 1997.I have also seem specialists in PTSD, chronic pain issues.
I don't expect DS to have all the answers. I came here for support only. I leave the hard core stuff to my doctors unless I want to know of the experiences of others.
Despite all that I am and have gone through I still live a life of sorts.
Support is what I am here for, not answers to all my problems however until I started this discussion tonight, it seemed to me that the friends had been made and that newcomers we not particularly welcomed.
Again, thank you for your advice, I will certainly take it.
I don't usually search a particular support group but instead, I just look at what my friends or others have posted on and, if I feel like I can offer support, I do. Sometimes I will look through the boards.
I've found almost everyone to be super supportive and kind. They all have such different personalities and I like that.
I notice you're from Asheville. I'm also from N.C. I've only been to the Biltmore House once but I really enjoyed it. Asheville is just beautiful, especially in the Fall. I love the mountains. Linville Caverns is about 50 miles away from you and I used to take my boys up there when they were younger. Depending on where you live, you have some great views of nature. There's a small 'hill' near my hometown that I used to climb when I could.
I hope you'll start to see better results and find more support after taking Pepper's and WV's advice.