I Am in Need of a Depression Support Group .....

What is wrong with taking meds? If your heart weren't functioning properly and the doc said take this pill each day to ensure you stay alive would you hesitate? add to that decades of researching that proves what he is saying is true? Or if you recieved diabetes? would you not monitor your insulin or take shots when needed to keep yourself alive?
True depression is a chemicle imbalance in the brain, an organ of our bodies that isn't working properly. We are SO lucky that there is as much research out there as there is and that millions of people live healthy full productive lives just because they were willing to take a pill that ensured one of their major body organs could function properly.
It isn't a sing of weekeness to turn to your doctor and get medical help. But I think it is completely selfish and niave to think you are better than your disease and that you can kick it by yourslef...at what cost? My mother never got help and was very abusive to her childern. I had two uncles who didn't get the help they needed, they both shot themselves.
Talk to your doctor have blood work done, it could be as simple as a thyroid problem which can cause depression but by the way also gets treated with a pill. I dont' understand how in this day of understanding we are still so slow to accept that the brain is an organ and it can have impperfections just as any other organ of the body can--It takes strenght to forgo the status quo and accept that yes, there might be something out there that can help you to feel happy and alive and vibrant again. My God why wouldn't you want that in your life? And for a pill a day? It reminds me of look and it shall be opened--but once it is open we have to pick it up. So what that it came in the form of a small pill instead of a miracle curing. That pill is the miracle.
You are right your husband alone cannot carry you, but a team of medical professionals can.
Therapy is a Fantastic idea. Often the therapist will know of a group and be able to get you a referral. There are thousands of resources availiable. Take them--Each person I have witnessed fighting going on medication after about 6 months on is talking of what a wonderful miracle they have starting life again. Sometimes it takes a couple of tries to get the right med but if you meet up with a good Psychitrist who does a full work up to get all your symptoms of depression worked out they hit it on the nose fairly often.
I know for me it was always easier to accept that it was okay for a sister or a cousin to take medication but I was better than that...turns out I'm not. My greatest strenght has come in recognizing that while my body may not create this chemicle, there is a pill that can and then I can live a full healthy and productive life. You deserve to feel happy. Why would you let the stigma of a pill stop you from that happiness?

While it is all fine and wonderful to say I lean on my husband and my "god" for help, it is not always a realistic situation. If you are truly depressed, and it is something that doesn't just come and go briefly, you might not feel comfortable talking with your husband (which is OKAY!!) about what is depressing you. And speaking to "god" waiting for him to waive his magic wand and make rainbows shoot out your eyes and lollypops fall from the sky isn't the most reliable source either.

I'm not all doom and gloom here, I promise. There actually is a GREAT support/therapy group that helps you learn skills to basically "retrain your brain" to deal with stressful, and depressing situations. It's called Dialectical Behavior Therapy (dbt) and it worked wonders for me and anyone I know who has been through it. Sometimes it does take a mixture of medicine and the group, but the basis is to be in a group setting, with others who are having the same issues, and to learn coping and preventative skills. I'm not sure where you live, but I will leave a link to a place I found online. I attended the class at the Mental health center of Denver, but the class/group is available all across the state/country.

One thing I learned to do, is to reassure myself that that the thoughts I am having are temporary, and will pass. I hope you find this helpful.

www.rockymountainhealth.org/counseling.asp

I too have been there. I was "diagnosed" with severe depression many years ago. I was put on just about every type of medication there is and not a one of them helped. All that I got from them were some bad side effects. At the same time, I started therapy for my childhood issues; both individual and group. I also read extensively and looked to many different modalities to support my healing process.

Today I am free of the depression. I know that what helped me was changing my irrational thought patterns and negative core beliefs. I happen to have two degrees in psychology and understand the general consensus about depression being a chemical imbalance and biological disease. However, I believe (and have studied much new evidence to support this) that our thoughts and behaviors are what create the chemical imbalance not the other way around. I am proof of this.

Now, I also know many people for whom medication has helped. I would just encourage anyone that it works for, to use it along with some form of cognitive therapy. This doesn't even have to be traditional therapy. There are many other methods such as Byron Katie's "The Work", and the Sedona Method. Both great tools to support us in exploring our core beliefs that create our experiences. I know there is a cure not just a lifetime of "treatment".

I encourage you to put yourself first on your list and reach out for any and all resources that will support you. Of course, knowing so intimately what depression is like, this is sometimes extremely difficult. I want to validate the courage you have to reach out and I want to support you in seeking good care for yourself. T.

Hi L.,
Have you tried going to a mental health facility? I found this website that maybe useful:

http://mentalhealth.about.com/library/us/blcolorado.htm

I hope this helps.

IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, YOU DON'T TOTALLY LEAN ON ANYONE. BECAUSE THEN YOU WOULD FEEL LIKE A FAILURE AND THEN NO ONE WOULD LEAN ON YOU.

YOU ARE ONLY AS STRONG AS YOU LET YOURSELF BE... AND THEN SOMETHINGS ARE BETTER LEFT TO "THE PILL" TRY TO REMEMBER THAT IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO TAK E MEDS YOU WILL ONLY TRY THEM AND YOU COULD JUST As easily stop taking them if you don't like how it makes you feel.

what do thing the problem is.. I TAKE A B COMPLEX AND THAT REALLY HELPS MY MOODINESS,

MAKE A LIST OF WHAT IS BOTHERING YOU AND THEN TEAR IT UP AND FLUSH IT DOWN THE TOILET. THEN MAKE A NEW LIST OF THINGS THAT WILL RESTORE YOUR ABILITY TO BE STRONG.

LIKE=VOLUNTEERING , OFFERING YOUR P/T SERVICES TO SOMEONE WHO CAN'T AFFORD IT AND REALLY NEEDS IT (ME).
I AM CURRENTLY CONSIDERING GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY .

WELL I THINK THAT YOU ARE A VERY STRONG PERSON TO HAVE ASKED FOR HELP IN THE FIRST PLACE.. LET ME KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK . I WOULD LIKE TO HELP. E-MAIL ME THROUGHT MAMSOURCE AND PUT THAT IN THE SUBJECT BOX SO I WILL OPEN MY EMAIL. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS.

Hi L. I have been there. My greatest support was my husband and a higher power. I think the reason is a higher power can be there when you don't have anyone or anything else. I took lots of hot baths, made sure I was getting enough sleep, changed my diet so I was eating healthier. Which I imagine you already are, being a P.T. I took St. Johns Wart called them my happy pills. ha-ha But I have also heard that Holy Basil is helpful. I got some counceling at a church nearby. Not by a pastor but by a professional. If you can get out of the house go and help others, I visited a nursing home and made friends that needed me as much as I needed them. Now if you are thinking about hurting yourself, I would say don't play around with it. Your husband and friends are not going to be able to help. So what I am saying is..If the train has left the station. Go and get help. It won't be forever just to get you over the hump. Sometimes it is okay. Okay? Please feel free to write back if you need to talk this through with someone that has been there. Good luck, K. K.

Hi L.,

First, I commend you for reaching out. I suffered from depression/anxiety for many years and it is no fun. I would highly recommend getting medical help. You don't necessarily have to take meds, but they can point you in the right direction. For some, it can be a vitamin deficiency or something else in your body. Most insurances also have psychotherapists or counselors that you can go talk to. I just think depression is not something to be taken lightly, it is a real medical illness. There are also a lot of natural remedies out there. My mom had me on a strict nutritional diet and it really did help. If you ever need a good listener please contact me. Good Luck L.!

I am so sorry to hear you are suffering. I have been a long time suffer and was finally hospitalize once for it. I would suggest that if you have health insurance to see what is covered and start going to therapy. It is good that you have your hubby, but a lot of the depression comes from inside you. Be kind to yourself and put yourself first. Also is there a good reason why you dont want to take meds. Yes there can be side affects, but a lot of them pale next to not functioning in a depressed world. There is so much distrust in medication and it seems like people feel that you are a failure if you take the meds. You are not a failure. I agree with Celest. We do not look down on people with diabetics ect. Depression can be the same thing. Many times if its not from an outside source ( death, financial) depression is a chemical imbalance. You could look into vitamin B and getting a healthy balanced diet with exercise, but that may only help so much. I again though would suggest counseling to deal with the internal issues and come up with a goal and plan in how to help yourself. The counselor may also be able to suggest a good group for you. Know you are not alone. I wish you the best. Hold on and know you are beautiful.

I have been seeing a therapist for depression for the last 1 1/2 years and feel like she has helped a lot. I can't say enough good things about her. She is easy to talk to, I immediately felt comfortable talking with her. Her name is Amy Bourdo and her office in Denver in the Pearl District. ###-###-####, ____@____.com She does both individual session and group classes and her rates are reasonable.
I have a history of depression in my family and have many family members where meds are an absolute necessity. For the longest time, I didn't want to admit that I needed more help can I could provide myself, but I realized that the smart move was to ask for help and I am glad that I did. Things aren't always peaches and cream but they are better for sure.