My Own Battle with Depression

My own battle with depression has gone on for most of my life (now in my thirties). Only within the last year have I taken any steps towards getting help. I first found a family doctor who was willing to listen and help.Then, through my family doctor I was introduced to a fantasitic therapist. The result is a person who went from wanting to hide from the world. To a person who is now willing to face the world head-on by believing in myself and living on my terms. How this has become possible is due to a combination of medication and exercises to change the way I see myself and the way I think. (I'm not talking about brainwashing either !!)  Below is some of what I've begun to realize and do, to make my life a better one. One that is free of severe depression and hopelessness. Recently, I have become aware of something that I would like to share with all of you. Happiness is not just a previlege that is bestowed on a few. It is a right that all of us are entitled to. Secondly, medication alone can not change your life around. Yes it can make you feel good, in some cases eliminate the effects of depression. But it can't change  who you are in life. That is something you as a person must do and it is something that I am currently engaged in. Striving towards happiness, prosperity and inner peace. Something else that I have become aware of, with the help of my therapist. Is that our brains are very much like the software of a computer. It just so happens that the software I have been running is somewhat faulty. Instead of tossing out the computer, which I thought about many times before getting help. I'm learning different methods that help in the rewriting of that software. Some of the various methods include: reading books suggested by my therapist (Knowledge is Power!!), affirmations (some are listed farther down), meditation, breathing exercises, proper diet and physical exercise (healthy body aides in creating a healthy mind). Has any of what I've learned up until this point help me? The answer to that question is a strong YES!! On several occasions the techniques I've learned from my therapist or through reading have helped lessen the effects of a depressive episode or prevent a episode all together. Many of these episodes were either triggered by a negative memory or a mistake I made. Both of which would spin me into a deep depression that could last for days, before I got help. Now, those negative memories or mistakes fall away like dust. Much of this success in combating these episodes has been because of repeating positive affirmations on a daily basis. This has been a major part of my software reprogramming. Four of the affirmations that I use are as follows.

"I did the best I could with the awareness I had for the circumstances I was in and I am striving to increase my awareness daily"

"I love, accept and approve of myself exactly as I am"

"I do deserve the good things in life"

"I totally and completely forgive myself for any and all self-perceived omissions and errors in my life"

I have found that the use of breathing exercises and meditaion have helped in relaxing me. As a person who suffers from panic/anxiety attacks. These methods have helped me in learning how to relax. The breathing exercises are based on vivation and if you wish to learn more about it, you can check out the vivation site at www.vivation.com . Of all the things that I learned, the hardest thing to learn was that I was in charge of my life. There still are times when depression or panic/anxiety attacks control my life. But I'm happy to say that these are becoming fewer. I could just medicate myself to the point where I feel nothing, but that wouldn't be living. I'm doing things now that I never did before and family and friends are taking notice and being supportive. The last thing that I have to say is this: TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE, IT'S A GREAT FEELING !!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm looking for people to share their story of success. The more inspiration the better.

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