** Won't you please share the joy of WYFP by recommending?
WYFP is our community's Saturday evening gathering to talk about our problems, empathize with one another, and perhaps share advice. Everyone and all sorts of troubles are welcome. May we find peace and healing here. :-)
I'm not actually depressed these days. But I spent much of my life very, very depressed. I was in so much pain, and my future just looked like a brick wall to me. I've been through some incredibly hard times, and every week on WYFP people talk about their struggles with anything from minor doldrums to crushing darkness.
We need to realize depression is SERIOUS--it is among the most deadly of illnesses, because it can create a convincing illusion that there really is no way forward in life, or no way that is remotely attractive. Just suffering every direction we look, suffering we feel no strength for. It's intolerable.
If you ever feel this way, please realize immediately and definitely that you are sick, that it's not your fault you feel so lost, and be very, very gentle toward yourself. Have some mercy on yourself and let yourself and your thoughts rest, exactly as you are. STOP ruminating about whatever is worrying you. Stop picking at your wounds. Be at peace; let peace heal you a little. Do something kind and caring for yourself or for someone else.
Depression is often basically impossible to climb out of on one's own. But it really is treatable!! There's something going on in your brain and your mind that is subject to intervention. Medication really helps some people, and so does therapy, and both together yield the best results. It is strength and responsibility, not weakness, to pursue and seize that help. It is also a great gift to one's family. Your partner or your kids or your parents want and need you to be happy and whole. Let them help and support you as much as possible, too. And I promise you that there are lots of people here at WYFP who would be totally behind you and happy for you and who have been depressed themselves and had their lives restored.
If you're just a little sad from your life circumstances or the seasons, be patient with yourself. It gets better!!!
You can read more about depression at the National Institute of Mental Health or Wikipedia, or take a free online depression screening test here.
If you're feeling down, tell us about it and trust that we care. If you're feeling good, cheer all of us up by reminding us how good life can be!
Peace, friends. :-)