Dee74

So many people seem to be battling depression I thought this may interest some of us.

Reasons to Stay Alive: author Matt Haig speaks about depression - All In The Mind - ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

I hope all you non aussies can get the sound clip, but if not it's still a great article.

D

Incontrol15

Interesting read indeed. I suffer from depression and anxiety. It's tough when I'm deep into either one of them. My reasoning escapes all logic.

Depression is a result of my view of the past (mostly), and anxiety is a result of my view of the future.

The key words are MY VIEW of them. When depression or anxiety sets in, it's like an obsessive thought process. It really takes work to get out of that mindset.

His article helps simply and understand it better. Reminds me that I am the sky and depression is nothing more than a cloud. I AM greater than my depression and it will never be bigger than I.

The hard part is reasoning with anxiety and depression when they are in full force. The deeper they are, the more obsessive the thoughts. But at the end of the day, that's all they are....simply thoughts.

Medication helps. But most importantly is learning skills to deal with it better. Im back in therapy after stopping for a couple years. This time I'm learning a new technique (for me): Rational emotive behavioral therapy. It's a great tool to have in the bag.

Thanks for sharing D.

buk1000

Thanks Dee. Good read, I think I'll order the book. I've had a few battles in recent years.

escapist

I like that. It is true that looking at the sky helps troubles look smaller. We have a full moon tonight. I don't know, but when I look up at the moon , I feel comforted like I am not alone. Thanks Dee. Great timing man.
I will never drink again. Hey, it didn't hurt as much to say that this time. Ah , thank you thank you thank you

Soberwolf

D that was really helpful thank you so much for posting this

Anna

Thanks Dee, I'm going to get the book, too.

Hevyn

My son suffers greatly, Dee. I can't thank you enough for posting this.

Thepatman

I really liked this part from the article.

How to stop time: kiss.
How to travel in time: read.
How to escape time: music.
How to feel time: write.
How to release time: breathe.

Matt Haig, Reasons to Stay Alive

Pondlady

Thank you, I too am going to get the book.

least

This is perfect.

zjw

i find my depression and anxiety are the products of my dillusions.

DrakeCKC

Thanks D. I shared this with some friends who are also battling this awful disease.

alphaomega

Oh such good stuff. Thank you Dee.

Spacegoat

False beliefs and perceptions, I agree. What would call pretending you are not depressed and anxious?

Joe Nerv

Thanks. Great article. I identify, very much, with everything that was said. He described my panic and depression (in his running experience ) quite well.

Like him I'm also grateful that medication didn't work for me. I feel it's because of the pain I was in that I was pushed continually to find what proved to be better solutions for me. Changing my diet, exercising, staying spiritually connected, and always looking 2 steps beyond the anxiety and depression. What he describes as looking past the clouds into the sky. Somehow I always believed in my body and mind's natural healing ability, and that belief has gotten me to where I am today. Free from depression, and crippling anxiety. Depression will most likely come visit me again, but as he states in that article, each time it becomes easier to navigate. And I don't fear it's return. With each depression I now know that I grow a little more, learn new skills, and continue to uncover parts of me I was previously unaware of.

My life hasn't been easy, and hasn't been a non stop bucket of joy and sunshine. I'm grateful for it all though because any pain I've had has pushed me to a better place. I heard someone say recently that they don't go through things anymore, they grow through them. I love that.