Well, I usually blog about my walks...but this is something different. Pete showed me this wonderful web site, and the points it made had a particular resonance. http://www.lifebuzz.com/just-stop/
Those who know me well will know that I've had my own battles with the 'black dog' over the last 20 years or so, and with anxiety or depression (or both) affecting nearly one in five adults in the UK, I felt I wanted to share the page from the lifebuzz web site and a bit of myself. It might just help if you know anyone who is suffering from depression.
My last major episode was in 2012. This time, as the despair grew deeper, the panic attacks more frequent and the drugs stronger, my doctor finally made me see that I needed more than CBT and self-help to help me beat this and help prevent it from coming back more frequently. So I saw a psychotherapist, wouldn't talk for weeks and then wouldn't stop. And slowly, working through a lot (probably all) of the points on the lifebuzz website and with a tool-kit including mindfulness and mediation practices, the light came on at the end of the tunnel. I'm still on medication, and likely always will be now, but I know the signs of another episode creeping up on me and can take early action if I need to.
I used to think that the sort of things listed in the link from lifebuzz were 'hippy-dippy nonsense' but now I have really incorporated them into my mindset and they make perfect sense! I am truly grateful for my life now, and happily take the time to be thankful for the wonderful things I have - my family and friends, my job, my cats, nature, my health (even with a dodgy back at the moment). I have a little notebook with my 'nourishing thoughts' in - lots of quotes that lift the spirits - that I like to look at and add to from time to time, especially if I'm feeling blue for any reason.
Depression is a horrible illness. You can't see your way out at times - but it is there! If you know someone who is suffering, please encourage them to get professional help from their GP, a BPS registered therapist and to look at good quality material on line such as http://www.get.gg/depression.htm
And from my little book of nourishment...some words to meditate on
Those who know me well will know that I've had my own battles with the 'black dog' over the last 20 years or so, and with anxiety or depression (or both) affecting nearly one in five adults in the UK, I felt I wanted to share the page from the lifebuzz web site and a bit of myself. It might just help if you know anyone who is suffering from depression.
My last major episode was in 2012. This time, as the despair grew deeper, the panic attacks more frequent and the drugs stronger, my doctor finally made me see that I needed more than CBT and self-help to help me beat this and help prevent it from coming back more frequently. So I saw a psychotherapist, wouldn't talk for weeks and then wouldn't stop. And slowly, working through a lot (probably all) of the points on the lifebuzz website and with a tool-kit including mindfulness and mediation practices, the light came on at the end of the tunnel. I'm still on medication, and likely always will be now, but I know the signs of another episode creeping up on me and can take early action if I need to.
I used to think that the sort of things listed in the link from lifebuzz were 'hippy-dippy nonsense' but now I have really incorporated them into my mindset and they make perfect sense! I am truly grateful for my life now, and happily take the time to be thankful for the wonderful things I have - my family and friends, my job, my cats, nature, my health (even with a dodgy back at the moment). I have a little notebook with my 'nourishing thoughts' in - lots of quotes that lift the spirits - that I like to look at and add to from time to time, especially if I'm feeling blue for any reason.
Depression is a horrible illness. You can't see your way out at times - but it is there! If you know someone who is suffering, please encourage them to get professional help from their GP, a BPS registered therapist and to look at good quality material on line such as http://www.get.gg/depression.htm
And from my little book of nourishment...some words to meditate on
Embrace, Breathe, Trust, Open, Heal, Lighten, Enjoy, Delight, Appreciate, Care, Share, Enough, Savour, Receive, Let Go, Touch, Flow, Give Thanks, Feel, Resonate, Dance with Life
And for my family who are probably thinking...oh no, not again...by now - I'm fine, stop worrying!!! Just sharing in the hope that it might help someone else in the future if needs be xx