THE FIFTH WAY OUT OF THE PRISON OF DEPRESSION: AN EXCERPT
“Remember that an oak tree was once an acorn –recovery begins by taking one step at a time as well as reading DEPRESSED ANONYMOUS literature and regularly participating in the meetings.”
How often do we meet people in the program who want the quick fix, the easy way out, the feeling getter -now! But just as it might have taken years for the person to learn how to get themselves depressed, it will take time and work to start to feel better. I do believe that all good growth in nature is gradual and that if we want the good growth to continue, we need to follow certain steps to make sure this growth will continue. One of the first things that we want to do is to admit, like any thing, person or substance to which we are attached/addicted to, which we cannot free ourselves from the attachment by will power alone. We ask our Higher Power, this power greater than ourselves, to free us. We begin our recovery by meeting with our local Depressed Anonymous group and admit by our presence that we want to change. We are dissatisfied where we are now and decide to work on ourselves so that we will feel better. By our taking one step at a time we can feel a change happening. Many people have been depressed for years-they are in so much pain that they want relief now. The members of the group are taking full responsibility for their feelings, moods and behavior.
If you want some inspiring stories of persons who have freed themselves from the deadly grip of depression and isolation, please read their stories in DEPRESSED ANONYNMOUS, 3rd edition. (2011) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. Pages 110-152.
THE HOME STUDY PROGRAM: Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition is combined with another publication The Depressed Anonymous Workbook (2002). These two separate publications provide an individual with an opportunity to further their recovery on their own, with the possibility of getting a Depressed Anonymous mutual aid group started in their own community. The best help for ourselves is in helping others.
Please VISIT THE STORE to discover a plentiful resource for books dealing with depression and our 12 Step recovery program, Depressed Anonymous.