No one earns medals for pulling out of a bad depression and recreating a life. I am sure there are those on this site who have done it more than once in their lifetime. I know I have. Sometimes there are friends there to help, other times not. Usually finances are a problem, at least for me. I have come to believe that if one can get back to work it will be the backbone of healing. Thank you everyone for supporting me in getting back to work. When I deposited my paycheck tonight I felt a sense of progress being made. That I was actually activating and actualizing a new life.

I think the social aspect is hard for many of us. I am sorry to say I have not had fabulous friends for a long time. I do have one best friend from childhood. But, in general, I like people and feel a friendly positive regard for people. So being social can mean just connecting more with those in your daily life.

I am also grateful to "screen" friends on Psych Central. In truth, I do not regard you as any less than full-bodied, full-hearted, and fully dimensional human beings who know the struggles inherent in coming back to life after depression. Blessings - all.