The Demon, Depression

[Guest guest]

Dear Group,

I was diagnosed with Bi polar over 18 years ago and have come a long way since

then having been in a good psychotherapy program at the local teaching hospital

as an outpatient. I have learned all there is to know about this illness, I do

not have the big highs but more of the chronic lows and at times in my past I

have spent weeks in bed crying and having that " face of depression " -- the " black

dog " as Winston Churchill once refered to it. My words of wisdom is my life-

motto--Think less of yourself and more of others!

Try to get out of bed each day and focus of something outside of yourself--

volunteer or help someone less fortunate than yourself-- read about depression,

keep a journal and find a good church family that is compassionate and loving--

pray, cry, be joyous even though you feel miserable and this is hard believe me

for I have suffered through alot--- at my age of 58!

I know about abandonment-- my husband of 20 years left me over 13 years ago,

I live alone in this house on 7 acres but I worked hard to get through all my

issues with mental and physical illness. And it can be done with the right

attitude.

Pain is in my life almost every day and yes it can debilitate you-- it can

also make you a more aware and a stronger being.

Reach out to others and be less into yourself.

Pity only invokes anger and more misery.

Any illness whether physical or mental comes with most of these feelings of

worthlessness, inadequacy, hopelessness, anger and the attitude of giving up but

learn to think more positively and find the goodness in each struggle,

I believe that God never gives us a burden that HE thinks we can not handle.

I lost my brother to suicide over 4 years ago and he was my best friend-- but

I have become stronger in all my losses and I think that life is not about

feeling good all the time, being happy and having it all-- it is about learning

how to be a better more loving and compassionate person, a giving and helping

one.

If you can learn to be this person, then nothing can stop the life that you

might change including your own!

Keep the faith,

Love, Annie

Gehle <robgehle@...> wrote:

Hi Tami, and welcome

I think that there are a lot of us that suffer from chronic pain And depression.

I had just started a promising career when all of my back problems started. I

have a 3 yr old and a 7 yr old and others will have to teach my boys how to

throw and ride bikes; it is very depressing. I'm only 33 and I find it hard to

have faith that my wife will continue to deal with this/me; I think my kids are

getting the short end of the stick, having a disabled father. shrug. sorry im in

a mood.

anyhow welcome to the group, this is a wonderful place filled with wonderful,

caring individuals full of knowledge. take care

rob No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares

or understands.

neck pain@...: greyoak3@...: Sat, 2 Feb

2008 17:35:06 +0000Subject: New member

Hi everybody. Unfortunately I'm joining the for the same reason as you all.

Happily, I know i'm not alone and have people to talk about it that REALLY

undestand. I'm 51, married with 2 grown children and 3 grandchildren. I started

have neck and upper back pain about 9-10 yrears ago. I was shuffled from one

doctor to another until someone finally diagnosised the problem. I have advanced

arthitis in my entire neck. Everything is calcifying. So I finally was hooked up

to pain management which has helped some. Now I have problems which my hands.

Lucky me. The rhumetologist I just saw thinks it is due to my diabets. I hae

only been diabetic for 8 years and have good cocntrol with the insulin pump. He

took blood and I have to go back and get x rays of my hands and wrists. I'm

falling apart! Somethings that pain is so bad that the pain medicine doesn't

even help. So I suffer and try to find of other things. Yoga has helped keep my

neck more limber and keep the range of motion

fairly good. It hard to accept that this isn't going to get better. People

without daily pain that interfers with their life don't really understand how

hard it can be. Does anyone suffer from depression due to the stress of the

chronic pain? I'm glad that this support group exists. Look foward to being

involved and exchanging ideas that may make life a little easiser. Tami

_________________________________________________________________

Helping your favorite cause is as easy as instant messaging. You IM, we give.

http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/?source=text_hotmail_join