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I Battle Depression

Hello Everyone,

My name is Jacquie, and I have battled depression most of my life. It took years for me to recognize it, especially when I got into adult hood, thinking I had grown out of the extreme shifts in mood which is so common in the teen and young adult years.

I am 48 now, and if you are willing to talk to someone my age, I am a good listener and often give advice – but carefully. I respect how destructive depression can be, and do not have any standard answers, but I will be faithful to tell you what worked for me.

Is that ok ?

So, with that , let's lock arms together, and see if we can help each other.

kindly,
Jacquie
Midnightblu · 56-60, F
first of all,

Get established with a professional counselor, psychiatrist, or spiritual counselor. I mention spirital counselor in concert with the others because sometimes a moral or generational orientation is required to relate to your age and upbringing.

I say getting established because it may take a few tries to find someone you are comfortable with. When I say comfortable, a warning, you may be comfortable at first, but then the rigors of counseling will be intense at times.

In the long run, it will a relationship that will require counseling and medication, which has to be monitored by the psychiatrist.

Commit to the process. I started out ok, took my meds and then started feeling better, so I quit my meds and delayed counseling because I thought I was cured. Well I wasn't !!! I crashed and rebounded several times.

Finally my cousin, who also had battled with depression, advised me to get with the long term cure. She told me to start journaling not only how I felt, but how I was doing as to dealing with people. There are subtle changes often in your behavior that you don't notice, and they most often have to do with how you relate to people each day.

I've been seeing the same psychiatriast now for fiifteen years. The important thing now is that he knows me, which presents the next question. Are you honest enough with yourself and your prospective conselor to share you life.

In time, I finally confessed that I had a lot of issues coming from living with an abusive father. In time, we sorted these things out and I was able to deal with them, or at least confront them and resolve to not let them shadow my life.

please mail me if you have specific questions you don't want to discuss here ..
SW-User
You seem genuine in your quest to help others, which is refreshing here. I confess, I mulled over your "about me", and I was intrigued by all that you do for you and your community. I was a little exhausted, just thinking about it.lol I do admire folks like you though, and I just want to say, good on ya. I have watched depression like a river, wind and flow through my family, ripping and eroding the the steep banks along the way, and still...we manage to stay afloat, don't we? With help of course. It's nice to see someone like yourself, lending a hand, and possibly helping some of us from an almost certain drowning, if not for life preservers like yourself. Thanks to you and people like you, for all that you do.
Is it still a battle if u dont fight back? I feel im a lost cause. The more i look back the more i notice...ive never been happy or satisfied with the things in my life. Depression is all i know. The quest for happiness has led me down a selfish lonely path with nothing to show for it. I try to pick myself up and keep going and things get good for 2 months tops-and by good i mean slightly less depressed than usual- but then life happens and i lose it all again. This vicous cycle is tiring and i dont know how much longer ill put up with it. Im getting tired...wish i could find the off button.
Midnightblu · 56-60, F
@TwistedTitus
OK, you sound pretty sad..
Have you seen a counselor or phyciatrist that deals with these kinds of problems ..
Just the drugs weren't enough I found .. but I got used to the counseling sessions , , ,
Too much self talk doesn't some people. An objective voice of a counselor.
It tooke a while with me, I had baggage from my teens with my father
abusing us and making the home a living hell. Finally, we escaped
and started a new life. But in time, old hurts and problems came back
to visit.
veeceekay1991 · 31-35, F
A lot of people on this site suffer from various kinds of depression. As you know, it can be debilitating to the point of paralysis, or even suicide. I hope you are able to help people here. Thanks for your willingness to try! 🙂
Depression is a big challenge to cope with, my wife suffered for year only someone who has suffered can fully understand, wish you well with your recovery,
@Easygoing Yes. I FULLY understand.
CathyUK · 56-60, F
I sadly know of people who regard it as weak mindedness, even now in the 21st century. Such people are pig ignorant and revel in being so. They regard themselves as superior because they get fed up too but they get on with life, in their stilted mindset. Those who can't are just weak and they have no time for them. Ignorance comes in many guises, and this is one of them. My worry is some doctors are little better.
Midnightblu · 56-60, F
@CathyUK
"Pig Headed" is exactly right ... there is a still a cultural mind set of depression being brought by poor character or lack of in interest in life ..
I was fortunate to find a very good doctor after tyring several. Some just want to "med" you up with pills and monitor your treatment.
CathyUK · 56-60, F
@Midnightblu There is a brain chemistry problem in all of this I am sure, which is beyond the control of the person like any other physical imbalance, but the brain is so complex. I think anti depressants do help some people but I suspect it is only one part of the problem, which is still not really identified.
Shadowhunter · 36-40, M
You're a breath of fresh air in this cynical world.
Love the positive attitude.
Kudos to you...keep smilin
wudifu · 46-50, M
I like your positive attitude.....maybe u can just have someone close no matter what time he or she will always be there for you.....I think mostly adults are self centred and don't care much about others where there is like a handful of one's that really enjoy helping like you and I for example
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
I am much older than you, but have been involved with the treatment of people with depression, usually after they tried to hurt themselves. Depression can be destructive, luckily most can be handled with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
Pretzel · 61-69, M
been on medication for 25 years. should have been on it longer.

I don't battle depression any more - I've made peace with it - and we have an armed truce
Midnightblu · 56-60, F
@Pretzel
I'm afraid I can't do that .. I lose every time.
It took a while for my Phyciatrist to find the right meds,
but once dialied in, Lilthium has been a steady performer ...
Moods not to high, not to low, and I manage what's in bewteen ...

This summer with over work, fatique, and the CONVID hanging over,
I did wind up in a deep dark hole...
Thanks to my cousin, she encouraged me to take a vacation with her,
and that helped ...
MagicaloneANRABF · 56-60, M
Jacquie. I have beennreading your posts snd comments. You are a very good person. You pay forward and have a big heart. Pls dont change. Few like you.

Warm hug
dentope3 · M
read your about me. God Bless You for your work with dogs. I take in cats. have a colony of ferals I feed and take feral kittens to domesticate and find good homes
[image/video deleted]
SW-User
Anopenheart · 51-55, M
i am trying to help my son with bouts of depression as well. trying out a mantra for him , and post it notes aroudn the house
Whitenight · F
You should look into flower essences and remedies. Bach flower remedies for example are great with depression..
Anopenheart · 51-55, M
i didn;t realize you also deal with this along with your other iinterests. sorry. that must be really challenging
Texasisbestrobb · 36-40, M
Thats a big reason i exercise is because it helps me with my anxiety and depression
Midnightblu · 56-60, F
@Texasisbestrobb That's a good point. Even at my lowest ebb, I find a brisk walk, a bicycle rid, or swimmming, help to relieve some of the stress and anxiety.
i have been suffering with it most of my life. I have good days and bad at the moment its not good
SW-User
It's so nice of you to offer help.it's wonderful to see a nice person like. It would be an honour to be your friend.
Noway345 · M
I'm 49 and I'm also fighting depression. Got some bad news from the doctor and have been struggling since.
i have had it all my life some good days and some bad at the moment things are not good
496sbc · 36-40, M
Hey i have never had depression but i hope. Ok. Ill talk to u anytime u like.
Kiwifella · 56-60, M
I will always talk to you regardless (of age) be well :)
yeah, I know the feeling...the only thing that works for me is exercise.
firefall · 61-69, M
I'm curious - if you don't mind relating it, what did work for you?
harleyquinnsamantha · 26-30, F
You are so strong and j can relate in so many of the same levels. ♥️
Pat999 · 31-35, M
know that you are not alone.. and that helps.. really helped me
Agreed. I've dealt with depression all my life. Yes, let's talk. 🤗
I am going through depression as well
samueltyler2 · 80-89, M
great gesture! you rock!
Have you ever self harmed
WhatLifeIsFor · 41-45, M
me battle depression too, hugs for u
what started your depression
Thanks Jacqui
Driver2 · M
Sounds nice
mhuman · 36-40, M
great woman!
BigGuy2 · 26-30, M
Sorry to hear

 
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