Question: Is Depressed Anonymous a class? Does someone teach this class?
Answer: Depressed Anonymous is neither a class nor does someone, such as a professional lead the group. We are a mutual aid group where each of us brings our own experience and shares them with each other. We also live our life based on the 12 Steps, the suggested spiritual principles of Depressed Anonymous.
Question: How much does it cost to join the group?
Answer: There are no fees or dues. All a person needs for membership is a sincere desire to keep from saddening themselves.
Question: Can you come to a meeting even if you are not depressed? Like a family member or a friend of someone depressed?
Answer: Yes, in fact we encourage family members participation in the group. The more we attend meetings the more likely we are to get a better understanding of the experience and nature of depression.
Question: What position does Depressed Anonymous take with regard to antidepressant Tablets?
Answer: Depressed Anonymous takes no position on medications. We are a support group which has as its base a spiritual foundation as laid out in the 12 Steps. We are not professionally led. We do not discuss topics of a religious nature which are specifically oriented to one religious faith or another. One’s personal medication regimen as well as religious preference is solely the responsibility of that individual and is not discussed in the group meeting.
Question: Do I have to give a talk if I attend a meeting?
Answer: No one is asked to say more than their first name at a DA meeting. We have all been where you have been, namely as a newcomer and we respect one’s right to talk only when one feels ready to talk. Every member of the group is given the understanding that when they have a turn to talk they can just say “PASS” and everyone is very OK with that.
Question: How many meetings will it take before I am no longer depressed?
Answer: That is a question that we can’t answer. I believe that even though my good days are now more frequent and my bad days less, I still keep coming back to meetings so as to help myself and give help to others still suffering. Our program is one that you don’t graduate from –it is a lifelong fellowship where one continues to learn that to stay well means to keep connected with the group, use the daily spiritual tools that keep us all out of the prison of depression.
Source: Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition. (2011) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.