Recently someone wanted to know “how quick could they be free from the pain and isolation of their depression?” How soon can they get back on the playing field of life? It was like, how can I hurry this mess up in my life, and get going full steam ahead. They wanted to feel the way did before they got knocked down by those feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Well, I guess they thought it would be like going to the doctor and asking how long this flu or cold would last? Normally, that would be a fair-enough question to ask. We all have asked it. We have all asked it because we were sick and tired of being sick and tired. We wanted relief. The jitteriness and hollow feelings which depression was causing was just too much to live with.
But as we all know this question can only be answered with time and the frequent and active participation in the fellowship of the group. It is by reading the texts of the Depressed Anonymous manual and attempting to put these principles into daily effect in one’s life. Also, one can begin to feel some improvement in their lives as they slowly gain a belief, a faith if you will, that they too can get better. If others can do it “I can as well” they tell themselves. Yes, this will be their truth.
With time, patience and sharing they begin to accept themselves for who they are and change what they don’t like in themselves. By the fact that one comes to a meeting is in itself half of the battle in overcoming one’s depression. It is this interminable isolation that keeps the depression at its height and intensity. It is only when a person can admit that their life is out of control and begin to trust the group with their story: a painful journey describing how they got to the point where they are today – isolated, anxious and hurting. Much like a full-body toothache.
The program is a very simple one-but this doesn’t mean that it is easy. All change is painful and if we are to grow we have to change. We have to resolve some of these old issues that keep popping up in our lives. They want our attention but we continue to cram then back in place and don’t want to took at them. But the only way to get free from these feelings of painful despair is to face these feelings, as difficult as they are, and move along with one personal change after another. We start by making choices which benefit our new feelings of hope and serenity.
The first step in getting past our depression is to first get into the door of a Depressed Anonymous meeting. And if you don’t have a Depressed Anonymous meeting in your town then you can find literature at our website (www.depressedanon.com). This will be a great start in gradually chipping away at our fears, our pain and debilitating isolation. There is no quick fix. All good growth is gradual – even with medication it still takes time to tell if the medication is working for you.
In the meantime, check out articles on our website where you will find articles talking about what you are feeling now and with a promise that you too will feel better.
Hugh
SOURCE: Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition(2011) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. KY.
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