Get the Support You Need

Learn from thousands of users who have made their way through our courses. Need help getting started? Watch this short video.

today's top discussions:

logo

Addiction

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-05-20 2:48 PM

Managing Drinking Community

logo

Challenging Worry - Worry Time

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-05-14 3:33 PM

Depression Community

logo

Fibre

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-05-06 5:05 PM

Healthy Weight Community

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Browse through 411.755 posts in 47.056 threads.

160,671 Members

Please welcome our newest members: MNJD, kybrg, Jhancke, CKYLA ASHLEY, PGOMEZ

Hello


16 years ago 0 40 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Interesting...I see a lot of people mentioning the characteristics of depressives and although I've recognized many of those characteristics in myself for a long time, I never made the connection between those qualities and behaviours with my depression. Good insight... More than anything right now I'm scared of the emotions that will come out as I try to get to the sources of my depression. I've been swallowing them for so long, things could get ugly if I unleash them all. Scared of an impending crash. Been feeling a bit better for the last few days as the withdrawals from the meds wear off. Feeling like I can handle it all and that I can cope on my own without all the drama of therapy, etc. BUT...that's the old me trying to talk myself out of dealing with this once and for all. I wouldn't have ever come here if there wasn't a reason. I know I'm not ok yet, even if I feel like I can fake it some more. Have to admit it's been nice to "fake nice" for a couple of days just to get some reprieve from the emotional hell of the last couple of weeks. (Sigh) Seems like a long journey sometimes...But like you've said, we are amazingly strong people. If anyone can survive (and eventually thrive!), we can.
16 years ago 0 13 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I agree that some of the strongest people are those of us who suffer form depression... After being married for 8 yrs and a planned pregnancy, my ex husband told me that he "didn't want to be married anymore" .. I was six months pregnant at the time so his timing sucked. After that happened I shut down and "faked it" for 9 yrs... that is not to say that I didn't have fun or laugh or have good memories but I didn't have that inner peace that I so desperately wanted. Eventually the faking it takes it toll and you end up crashing... I did 2 months ago ... I am now finding that it is OK to be sad or depressed ... its not a state of mind its a condition... and because of that I have now realized that I am cheating myself out of real living ... Sooo.. to make a long story even longer (lol) , I am working on being a better person who is honest with herself - even when it hurts. I don't know how many people could continue their life while struggling with the pain and sadness that we feel... We manage to not only survive but in some cases achieve. I have never been more successful in my career until I became consumed by it . I decided that my only value was as a Mom and as an employee and I kicked a** at both. But yet I am not happy. I think I was actually believing that I was happy for a while but it is not real happiness or peace. I am the path now to both. Hopefully I will get there before I die. lol We are strong people. We are highly intelligent people. We are overachievers and we feel so deeply it scares us. That is what depressives are in my opinion. Isn't it interesting that looking back at history, some of the people who have had profound impacts on life were depressives ( Einstein, Sylvia Plath, Bob Dylan etc )
16 years ago 0 63 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Lovelybones ... I'm so glad to hear that you, too, have found this a place of safety and refuge. I've met some wonderful people here. I identify with the "fake it till ya make it" theory of dealing with depression. Did that for years ... until I totally crashed and wasn't able to manage it any longer. One interesting thing I've discovered about many of us depressed people is that we are really very, very strong. We can put on a happy face for the world, maintain a "normal" life and be dying inside. We really are strong ... and now I'm learning to use that strength to deal with the emotions instead of hiding them from everyone. Anyway, welcome!!
16 years ago 0 1153 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Lovelybones, It's the hump of first posting that is tough to get over, but the overwhelming support makes it easy to keep coming back :). Keep posting. Brenna, Bilingual Support Specialist
16 years ago 0 40 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I just have to say that in the short time since I joined, I'm overwhelmed by the acceptance and support I feel here. At first I was terrified to post, now you can't shut me up! ;p
16 years ago 0 8760 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Lovelybones, Welcome aboard and thanks for sharing your story. We are here to help you along the way so please don't hesitate to ask questions. We also encourage you to keep working through the program and actively participating in our forums. Remember, this is a safe space with people who live the same realities as you do and there is definite strength in numbers! Keep us posted. Danielle, Bilingual Health Educator
16 years ago 0 40 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I started reading the support group a couple months ago and registered about a week ago. Took me a while to work up the courage to start the program, and even more to post. Most of the last year has been filled with personal trauma for me and my dr. put me on meds about 4 months ago. Quit the meds a few days ago because they made me worse. It's all profoundly interfering with my job and family (don't know if it's the depression or the meds or both). Faced my fear today and set up an appt with a psychologist. Started my first session diary and cried all the way through it. I've decided that I can't "fake it til I make it" anymore. I know that what doesn't kill me can only make me stronger and as difficult as it is, and as terrified as I am to face my illness, I am ready. Good luck to us all.

Reading this thread: