Re: Introduction

July 14, 2010

I sorry you had to deal with depression all your life.

Well done for helping others suffering from depression,

you must know a lot about the illness having suffered it for

54 years, that certainly is a lot of life experience about

depression you must have a lot of knowledge to depart.

Welcome,

Andy

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> Hi all

>

> My name is Francis. I am 67 married with no children retired and live in

Northern Ireland. I have had depression for 54 years since the age of 13 and

would now be in the advanced stages of recovery. For a project in retirement

and I have taken on to do whatever possible to help fellow sufferers. In

pursuit of that I did join yahoo depression support groups and co-own six and

moderate four. The object of this is to offer empathy support and encouragement

and where possible constructive advice. Also I am involved in several

organizations whose purpose is to try to get a better deal in service provision

for the mentally ill where I live. I am also a member of a 12 step depression

recovery group. God bless and best wishes from Francis

>

July 14, 2010

Bill gave some great advice

My first piece would be to take a moment and accept yourself EXACTLY the way you

are in this moment...perceived flaws and all...see if you can give that to

yourself...be the acceptance that this division in you needs and is longing

for...true acceptance and respect

I would assume this sensitivity developed from childhood experiences...which is

why it is a good reason to find it in you to accept yourself just as you are in

this moment...it doesn't mean you can't make change, but it means, resisting and

denying yourself as you are, will only further lead to empowering it

What I am taking you to consider to be the issue is when you are perceived to be

criticized...you hold on to it mentally, replay it endlessly, get critical of

yourself, and all the emotions that are connected with it

What you need to understand is that all that thought, is emanating from a

previous unhealed wound, and generally probably has little to do with the actual

present moment

Many times we use thought as an escape from feeling feelings...this was

completely necessary as a kid, as you didn't have the emotional and cognitive

strength to deal with what you were feeling at the time...was too overwhelming

What I would do, is to try to get to the bottom of what this criticism

potentially says about you...my guess, is that it is something along the lines

of " I am not good enough " , which isn't true AT ALL...once you get to it...allow

yourself to feel it completely...in your body...let your body take lead, and

feel whatever comes up...cry, shout, curse, punch...do whatever you need to do

to...

It will take time, but once the hurt is released...I suspect new perceived

criticisms won't cause such a reaction

You could also tell your father exactly how you feel, or if you can't do

that...write it out to him

Best,

VC

> >

> > Hi all

> >

> > My name is Francis. I am 67 married with no children retired and live in