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.
Hi all,
I figured it might be worth having a thread to share your experiences about what got you through the hardest and worst times of dealing with the depression.
For myself, when I was at my worst, I had to spend a lot of time on my own and escaped into movies or video games a lot. Just do whatever helped me stay as busy as possible and at the same time helped me feel some sort of peace. Then finding the right people to talk to or using online support places like yahoo chat rooms for example. Also, making a choice of going to hospital. I did need to spend days just in bed at times, yet as long as I could eat and drink it helped get me through it. The key was being was in doing the best to be kind to myself and eventually not feeling guilty about it.
At times I also found it really helpful to draw and write.
Any one else have anything to share?
I figured it might be worth having a thread to share your experiences about what got you through the hardest and worst times of dealing with the depression.
For myself, when I was at my worst, I had to spend a lot of time on my own and escaped into movies or video games a lot. Just do whatever helped me stay as busy as possible and at the same time helped me feel some sort of peace. Then finding the right people to talk to or using online support places like yahoo chat rooms for example. Also, making a choice of going to hospital. I did need to spend days just in bed at times, yet as long as I could eat and drink it helped get me through it. The key was being was in doing the best to be kind to myself and eventually not feeling guilty about it.
At times I also found it really helpful to draw and write.
Any one else have anything to share?
boredom and loneliness are dangerous for me, so i guess music, art, and reading are also beneficial.
TP, that is so interesting that you had electro shock therapy. I read all of .... Oh her name escapes me, the famous actess from Star Wars that had Elecro Shock Treatment. She fascinates me.
Kris, Yes, our children.
For me, volunteering at my local hospital saved me. I love it, I'm invigorated and learning new skills, I'm good at it and needed etc.
It's giving me all kinds of confidence to tackle other areas I would like to focus on. Also, my two psychiatrists that have treated me have been my life savers.
hahaha, I'm not sick!!
Also, changing my thoughts from crap to positive helped a lot.....affirmations help......
Boredom, isolation, and loneliness breed negativity. And when I am experiencing those three, I'll drink. And of course the drinking in that state of mind leads to deeper, darker depression.
treatment wise i found the most amazing group ever that was offered through the local mental health association. it is called emotion regulation and it really worked wonders for me. i live in ontario canada so i am not sure if it is offered in other cities/states. i took this group while i was pregnant and than again after I had my son to ensure i was stable enough to be able to focus on him.
to my surprise, the pregnancy hormones also did wonders for me and balanced out all the unbalance chemicals in my brain and I have been episode free since june 2008.
Great great thread!
I also love the arts.