I've struggled with anxiety and depression all my life. Even as a tiny girl. Sometimes I think all my anger is toward God for allowing that child to bear that burden. But it is what it is, and I'm learning now to accept that it's simply my cross to bear, and rather than be angry about it, accept it - on a good day maybe even find blessings in it.
Over the past year, I've worked through The Mindfulness & Acceptance Workbook for Depression by Kirk D. Strosahl, PH.D., Patricia J. Robinson, PH.D.
and The Mindful Way through Depression by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal, and Jon Kabat-Zinn (This is my favorite of the two.)
Also Lucinda Bassett's From Panic to Power has been helpful.
Acceptance. When I am disturbed, it is because a person, place, thing, or situation is unacceptable to me. I find no serenity until I accept my life as being exactly the way it is meant to be. Nothing happens in God’s world by mistake. Acknowledge the problem, but live the solution!
Change your brain Change your life
by
Daniel Amens
...good stuff...
I understand what you must have gone through Gal. I know how hard it is to feel a bit different than others. I have had a few family members struggle with depression and mood disorders, self destructive behaviours and tragic suicide. I too have struggled with a mood disorder. Sometimes these imbalances predispose us to seek unhealthy ways to escape. On the other hand as prone as we can be to sadness we have inside there somewhere a capacity for great joy as well!!
On the positive side there is help out there as you have mentioned. I hope you have a good doctor too. Those books you mentioned are great. I love jon kabat-zinn. I also do Qi qong now and use mp3 relaxation and meditation. I have been learning more about the Buddhist practice of meditation also. Many people here have rediscovered their spirituality in many ways.
You are still young I think so it's so good that you are addressing this now. I struggled all through my twenties and into my thirties and wondered why my behaviour was "somewhat" erratic at times. lol. Honestly though it made me very sad and often down on myself.
I did many things to distraction!!!! Yikes!! I have taken that hyper focus and I try to refocus it more positively.
On a positive note , many very succesful people suffer from these disorders also and it certainly is no indicator of any lack of intelligence or creativity - sometimes just the opposite!! It's amazing how many well known people also have had to struggle and overcome very debillitating conditions mentally and physically in their lives and found fulfillment and happiness.
many blessings and joy this season!
A country path near my house.
Thank you very much for the book suggestions. I'm an avid reader and can't believe I don't have any of those.
Thanks!
Thanks for the book suggestions, adn the beautiful holiday greeting pic!!
Mumu
first stopped, end of December 2010, a few short relapses. Then I got it, NO more relapses....... never again......, game free since December 1st, 2011. Thanks Olga.... one more relapse on phone, one week of hell in 2014
Thanks for the book suggestions. Really nice post.
"Take what you need and leave the rest." I got nothing but moments to live.
I know how hard it is when you are struggling with depression. Books are great way to fight against it. I use to read lots of books, on different topics and I was cheerful person. I think I have to read the books that are mentioned in the post.
I've been reading "Thinking Simply about Addiction," by Richard S. Sandor, M.D.
This short book (176 pages) contains a very clear and simple definition of addiction as a disease, why it happens/who it happens to (contributing factors), the difference between abstinence and recovery, two simple things that are required for anyone to stay clean and how losing them leads to relapse, and the usefulness of 12-step programs in providing these things (perhaps other programs could provide these things as well, but some don't seem to). Just like with any incurable but treatable disease (e.g., diabetes), you have to keep taking your medicine. An easy-to-read book (the kind I need right now) that accomplishes the goal stated in the title.
I am a recovering computer game and gambling addict. My recovery birthday: On May 6, 2012 I quit games and began working a program of recovery through OLGA No computer games or slot games for me since December 12, 2012. No solitaire games with real cards since June 2013.