THE TENTH WAY to leave the prison of depression. #10 of 15.
“I know that with time and work I will get better and out of my depression. I believe that though I might feel helpless, I am not hopeless. I will make a decision to get better today!”
One of the most heartening phenomenon of our 12 step program for persons depressed is to see how quickly healing becomes apparent to those who keep coming back to meetings. The healing shows on the faces of all those who keep coming back to meetings.They commit themselves to getting better. The work that one has to engage in is a deep desire to quit sadding themselves. This means that a person depressed really must make a commitment to themselves, that with time and work, they can leave the prison of their own depression.
This statement of belief is so important that it, like the rest of the 15 ways to leave the prison of depression provides hope for those still suffering from depression. Just by coming to the meetings, even when we don’t feel like moving out of our isolation and comfort zone. This is in itself an investment that must be made if we are to reap the dividends of healing which can be ours. The program works by investing your time and energy in it.
Depressed Anonymous provides a step-by-step program of recovery and doesn’t talk in vague generalities about your own depression experience. Actually, the program offers a map where you can walk out of your past filled with negative thoughts and behaviors creating your own new hopeful lifestyle. The Depressed Anonymous mutual aid group is the “miracle” incentive for getting ourselves motivated and living with hope. The group provides a continued acceptance and support for your life. The purpose of the 12 steps is to free ourselves from the debilitating isolation and pain of our sadness. We realize now that it is by accepting responsibility for our physical, emotional and spiritual care of self that predicts the hope filled long-term effect of a life lived without depression.
First of all, what gains consciousness is to be aware of one’s own need to discover what there is about myself that I do not find acceptable, good and wholesome. Secondly, preparation. I am aware of how I have depressed myself by the faulty beliefs that I’ve held about myself over the past years. I now know that part of the way I feel is due to the way I have automatically talked to myself throughout the day. I now realize that my feelings about myself have continually been very negative and emotional laden. Now I take action. I intend today to replace all negative statements that I make about myself, they are like waving a red flag before my eyes. Every time I call myself stupid or put myself down mentally, I will substitute affirmations such as the following: I will build a new life for myself. I am strong today. I have the courage to go through this experience. I will no longer blame myself or others for my depression. I do not have to wait for someone to make me feel better, as I can do this myself if I choose to do so. And this will sustain me and not just for today but every day of my life. I’m going to tolerate my imperfections while at the same time refusing to feel sorry for myself. I am going to make myself accountable for how I feel… and not blame it on someone else.”
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Sources: The Depressed Anonymous Workbook. (2002) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville.
Believing is seeing: 15 ways to leave the prison of depression. (2017) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. pages 51-56.
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