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Posted 9/26/2018 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
HiFolks.

It has been a few years since I put anything forward on the Depression site, but I have had Depression during all this time.

My depression comes and goes with no real regularity. Right now I am having one of my episodes. My psychiatrist has me going on a 10 week (2hours per wk) therapy group effort. There are 2 men and 8 women taking part. Ages from 81 down to 21. I am 77.

Have done the first week which consisted of each one of us telling our life stories. I have learned that my problems are far less serious than most others. We have vowed to help each other, and I am looking for a positive experience. I am getting the feeling that my input will be considerable as I like to talk. I must be attentive to everyone and become a good listener.
Posted 9/26/2018 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Being a good listener is attractive to other people. It helps them to feel good about themselves and is a good quality.

But just because you feel your problems are far less serious than others doesn't mean it doesn't count. They are your issues and are very important to you. So remember that.

I imagine that the group therapy is interesting. I have never done group, but some others here have. Some people thrive in that kind of setting. I don't think I have enough confidence. I don't know why. I don't do good around large groups of people.

I am glad you are reaching out here. It has been kind of slow. But the administration is working on making it better so more people can join.

I hope you have a good day today.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/27/2018 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Karen,

I should have mentioned that we are not to speak about religion or politics during our sessions. Probably a good thing the way these subjects are thrust on us every day.

I do realize I have to be selfish in my attitude. Thank you for reminding me.

Will keep you posted on the group progress.
Posted 9/27/2018 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome cloudy.

I found group therapy to be beneficial for me. Those that were dealing with more than I helped me keep my issues in perspective. Those that were dealing better than I could give me helpful suggestions. Just being with others 'going through' was a help in and of itself.

I'm glad you are here!
Posted 9/27/2018 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Let us know how the next group therapy goes. Sounds like it could be a win win situation.

Often we don't think our problems or feelings matter, but they do. We are all unique in our own way.

Have a good day!!!

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/28/2018 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Just had our second group session today. We are now 10 in the group, so it is probably the most we should have to maintain a certain amount of control by the moderator.

Once more this week there were a few people who were using up most of the two hour time. I thought we would be sharing our experiences and our various ways of dealing with our demons.

It was uplifting though, as depression has many facets and they all come out. There are still a few who are shy about discussing their personal problems. I did find a more relaxed atmosphere in the room.

Each week we are given assignments. Small things we can do to cope. This week we are going to keep a rough agenda of our activities on a daily basis. We will review next week.

So far, so good.
Posted 9/28/2018 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
I have a couple of questions about group therapy. Is this something organized by your doctor or health institution (not free for anyone to sign up)? Do public support groups (such as DBSA) host such sessions as well in their meetings?

In my case, meds are probably not an option (had been prescribed some years ago, but they didn't work). It seems psychotherapy/counseling and maybe group therapy are my only choices for medical treatment, or some form thereof.
Posted 9/28/2018 10:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Cloudy for sharing. I find it very interesting. Some day I will go to one. When I get the nerve.

Sounds like the session did you good even though a few took over and did most of the talking. Does the moderator control that? I think it should be more fair.

I hope you keep going though. It is good for you it sounds like.

Hang in there. Keep posting...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/28/2018 12:02 PM (GMT 0)
This group was organized through the hospital psychiatric Department. I was asked by my psychiatrist
if I was interested. Being willing to try anything that would benefit my situation, I jumped at the chance.

The moderator is sorting things out to gain more control. The real advantage to this process is to interact with others. You don't usually have intimate contact with others suffering from Depression. This I am experiencing for the first time.

The cost is covered by the hospital. I should have mentioned that there is a second person helping the moderator. She is a nurse.
Posted 9/28/2018 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a good thing. I hope you benefit from it.

Keep us posted on how it goes. Thanks for posting about it. I hope to hear more.

Hoping also that you have a nice day. Rain here... And cold...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/28/2018 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Cloudy I think it is a wonderful thing you are doing.

I have tried 3 womens Trauma Groups, all were pretty much useless, do to the fact, that 1/2 didn't come most of the time and the other half talked about day to day stress's.

We never got on the topic of the trauma's.

I am glad it is helping you.

One more thing. If I would you, remember that your pain is pain. Try not to minimize it because other people may have struggles more than you.

Peace
Trina
Posted 9/29/2018 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
The interaction among those attending is very interesting. You couldn't find a more diverse set of circumstances. This I find most thought provoking.

We seem to be grasping anything we feel will help us.

The first week as we were introducing ourselves, there were sad stories spilling out of people that made me feel my situation was of a lesser importance ( Less depressed than others )

My Depressions are rather different than most as they come and go with no apparent reason. It has alway been that way for me. The saving factor with this type of sickness is that I know I will get better.

I have to admit the periods of relative freedom from depression come less often. Could be because of my advancing age. Presently I am feeling quite well.
Posted 9/29/2018 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
I am glad you are feeling well Cloudy. At least physically. That in itself helps a ton.

My depression is like yours. For no apparent reason. But I find when things get bad, I do get more depressed. So some of it is situational anyway.

It sounds like group is going well for you. Do you go once a week? Now I can't remember. It seems like a good thing.

I hope you are having a good day today. Cloudy here but suppose to be partly sunny. I feel better on sunny days. I can't be out in it for any prolonged period. Because of a medication that I take. So I take vitamin D3 to help from lack of the sun. I see your name is Cloudy. Is it because of your weather where you are? Or that you feel cloudy? Just curious. Some people live where it rains a lot.

Take care Cloudy. Keep posting when you can.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/30/2018 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, it would seem very helpful to be among those going through the same suffering. Others may mean well, but often seem to believe that depression is something to tackle with just a positive outlook, a will to fight, etc. Maybe some can understand without experiencing it, but most probably need some personal experience -- even for a few minutes -- to appreciate how crippling and frustrating this can be.
Posted 9/30/2018 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Cloudy is nothing that I remember as a choice, but some of the time it fits my disposition. It just turned up as a member name.

I look at my depression on a scale of 1 to 10. One being of little or no problems at all and ten being a useless basket case. Yesterday I was a 2 and today maybe a four. Don't ask me why. My wife usually starts the day with "What number are we today?" We must keep our sense of humour. (Canadian Spelling)

Tomorrow, (if I am a2 or 3) I have promised to wash a window
Posted 9/30/2018 8:54 AM (GMT 0)
that is cute... I never thought to gage my depression by number. But I should sometimes to be able to explain how I feel.

I hope you have a good day today Cloudy. I hope you get the windows washed. Ha...

Have a good one...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/30/2018 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Football today-----------Window tomorrow.
Posted 9/30/2018 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Football here today too. Also a baseball game on which I will probably switch to while he is outside. But my baseball team isn't doing so good this year. They are young and have to learn to play together. I think in time it will be a real good team.

We are suppose to get three days of rain but so far it has been all cloudy. No rain. But I am sure it will before the three days is up.

Enjoy your football...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/30/2018 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Baseball definitely
Posted 10/1/2018 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
My Football team lost yesterday. I must admit this did not add greatly to my depression. We are now 3 and 11 for the 18 game regular season. Maybe next week will be a winner.

I have often wondered if negative results for those who are fanatic sports fans contributes to depression.

I have a saying that can be used to better reflect semi-serious events.

"It's not my wife and it's not my life" This works for me time and time again.

P.S. Windows got washed
Posted 10/2/2018 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Awesome on the windows. Sorry your football team lost. My baseball team lost too. Their season is over. Playoffs now.

I hope you have a good day. Raining here. Par for the course...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 10/5/2018 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
Third session of our group (10 weeks of 2 hours)

This week we had a bit of a breakdown caused by the feeling of our moderator that she was not getting things done in a timely fashion. She felt we were getting "off the rails" so to speak.

We had to reassure her that the therapy was helping us and we were willing to keep on working to make this a successful exercise. Just the fact of getting together and sharing our different experiences with the
problems, however the individual stories are related, was progress.

This was recognized and the remaining time went well. Each week we are given depression literature that is really helping us to a better understanding with helpful hints and ways to cope.
Posted 10/5/2018 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cloudy,

It sounds like group is actually going well. I hope that the moderator understands that you all are still getting something out of it even if it gets a little off track. Just being able to share with others helps us. And I am glad that is working for you.

Just getting to know people and being able to relate to them in some way is therapeutic. I am happy you have that experience.

Well today is cold and damp here. Real gloomy. But my mood is still up.

Have a good day Cloudy...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 10/7/2018 12:17 PM (GMT 0)
Cool and cloudy here too. Leaves are starting to be very colourful.

I agree with you in the thoughts of the group benefitting from interaction.

I had to have a talk on a one to one with the moderator to encourage her. That didn't seem right.

Maybe we will help her through whatever problems she is having.

"Everybody hurts"
Posted 10/7/2018 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
I agree, everybody hurts sometime. I think that is a song.

Our colors are starting to change too. It is beautiful. But so cloudy lately.

I hope your next session goes well. Keep me posted.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Hugs, Karen...
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