Posted by jay on November 17, 2001, at 3:13:26
In reply to Re: There is Hope for Everyone, posted by fi on November 15, 2001, at 8:04:30
> > Thanks for reminding me that there is hope. Today is one of those days that I forgot such a concept existed.
> > Blessings for your contribution and as you get on with your life.
> >
> > Chris A.
>
> I'm new to the list and really interested in this thread. I'm getting on OK- v lucky- after having several bouts of depression in the past.
>
> But one big problem is that I dont have any hope for the future. I'm not religious, and very pragmatic. The only things I *know* will happen are bad things- anything good is a bonus at the time but cant be predicted. It would be great to have some realistic hope- at the moment the best I can do is to tell myself nice things *may* happen, but that's not much cop...
>
> Also- can someone tell me what a pdoc is? (I'm not US or chat-literate!)
> ThanksA great analogy was made in the book
Noonday Demon. "Depression is sadness about the past...Anxiety is fear of the future." No, it is not quite that simple, but it covers a lot of ground.What I find a powerful tool in attacking both depression and anxiety, along with meds to help control symptoms, is breaking your life into very, very tiny goals. "Family, Job, Home" is the title of a chapter of another excellent book on mental health in Canada (I can't recall the name.)
Make sure some of the basic things in your life can be somehow managed, and these are often major stressors that can burden our depression and anxiety. If people can, forcing yourself to keep a basic daily routine, in particular a job...any job. One of the worse pieces of advise doctors can give is for people to "take time off" for mental health (in the short run, fine, but not over many years.)Use services in your community to attain afordable housing. Maybe a house is too expensive, and there are many excellent income-scaled co-op apartments.
In your family, even if everyone seems completely against you or messed up, try and seek out atleast one person who you somewhat trust, and try to keep in touch. Seperate yourself from very toxic relationships.
Spend as much time as possible reading up on good books on mental health. Spend less time in front of the t.v., and give yourself a "news break". Especially with the horrific events of Sept. 11, there is little you can do by just watching or reading about them constantly. You are ill, and need to focus on your healing before you are capable of doing much else on the world stage.
This is just randomn pieces of info, because there are no tried-and-true answers. I have collected this from my readings and experience over many years with this dang illness, but I also have had the ability to study much of it, getting my social work degree as well as working in the community of mental health. I am both a consumer and helper. We can all be that...and you don't need a degree.
This is a great thread...I hope to hear many other ideas and takes.
Jay
poster:jay
thread:13946
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20011105/msgs/14015.html