“it seemed that I was living in another world until one of my parents gave me a phone number of Depressed Anonymous. The Depressed Anonymous meetings plus reading the Depressed Anonymous manual have provided me with the tools to live without being depressed. Most important of all, the Twelve Steps mentioned in the book have made me understand that God (my Higher Power) will give me strength to deal with my depression and got me on with my life and be happy with myself.
The book with its Twelve Steps, has taught me that I am not alone. And that I am not the only one who is suffering from depression. It has taught me to believe more in my Higher Power and let it handle my depression.”
It absolutely feels that we are living in another world when depression takes over our lives. We believed the our immediate reality of this fog that takes over our mind is the only reality that we can ever know. It’s like driving with one’s car lights on low beam. What lies ahead is hidden. Our driving becomes cautious until we are forced to stop. We are hesitant to move further. Fear and anxiety grip our every thought. What danger can lie ahead? We believe there is no escape.
For me, this is my best analogy for my own depression. I too, like the author of the above sentiment (see Depressed Anonymous manual /Personal Stories) who felt completely alone and helpless.
But that is not the end of our stories. Our feeling alone, adrift and living in constant fear comes to an end. By learning about the fellowship of a mutual-aid group that we call Depressed Anonymous and becoming an active member I found new ways to live with hope.
“As these new tools have helped me and will continue to help all those many others who are looking for help out of their own fog. They have taught me not to dwell on my past, to live one day at a time, and to look forward to the future, but not live there. It will take me a long time to deal with depression, but I’m glad that these tools are available. Life can be good for a change. Please don’t give up.”
You are not alone. I am not alone. Those who have shared their own stories of recovery in the Depressed Anonymous manual, (quoted here) all have the same story; I was depressed and now I am not. If you would like to know more about these persons who have shared their stories of hope and serenity, please check out their stories of how they used the tools of recovery to live again with hope. They know that they do not have to feel alone again.
Besides the groups, there are those who may want to use the Home Study Recovery Program kit, comprised of the Depressed Anonymous Manual and The Depressed Anonymous Workbook.
These two books, written by those who were depressed and now have made these useful tools available for others like themselves. Recovery means that we can now gain critical self knowledge plus continuing to be motivated to devote personal time and study for our own recovery.
RESOURCES
(c) Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition. (2011) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.Ky.
(c) The Depressed Anonymous Workbook, 2nd edition (2002) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville, Ky.