I think doing as one is told in recovery will work better than having emotional meltdowns that require staff to stress about it. It hasn't been easy for me in recovery. I liked boozing and drugging. Now I enjoy being clean and sober. It didn't happen quickly and I suffered. I learned to ask for help and go to meetings. Psychiatrists and therapists are better at what they do, than I thought. They can help, but it takes time. AA worked too. I've taken meds. I still take a small dose. no easy answers, it is no blame and no shame. Just worked toward healing, and now I have a good life. I wake up and look forward to the day now. Not before, but I do now. It was all worth it.

[madisgram]

what a helpful post, brookwest! when i got sober i was also dx'ed with major depressive disorder among others. so i went to therapy, took my meds and the other action i did was to go to AA regularly. i was treating all areas of my life at the same time. my psychologist studied addictions for his degree and specialized in helping clients incorporating that in sessions. so it proved to be fruitful in my success in sobriety as well as my mental disorders. AA and therapy replaced my distorted solutions to helpful tools to learn to live life in a healthier way.
thanks for this thread.

[Leed]

Thanks from me too Brookwest!! This IS a helpful post!

You know, when I first got sober, and was also diagnosed as a major depressive, I felt SOOO guilty for having to take medications! I had it in my head that I shouldn't take ANYTHING, since I'd also gotten hooked on pills.

Thankfully, my sponsor conked me on the head (figuratively ) and told me that are times that meds ARE needed and there's no shame in it. LOL So I was to take my meds as prescribed and to shut up! LOL

Thanks for the post! Have a great day! Hugs, Lee

[mary007]

I agree with you all I'm 5month clean of drinking and drugs and I also have severe depression..i go to a therapist and I take meds but I'm still having problem going out and enter acting with life. I'm always feeling guilty I'm still struggling and i still have argue to drink. I never went to AA or went to rehab I'm so paranoid to go anywhere. I wish this depression would go away so that I can be happy again and stop being in fear. I'm feeling like i'm going to relapes..Mary007

Early in my recovery, I just sat in AA 12 step meetings and focused on the chair in front of me or the patterns on the floor tiles or dirt or whatever allowed me to stop my eyes from wondering everywhere and reacting to every sound or movement. Maybe this technique will help you mary007 or whomever might need it. The intellectual property is granted by me anyway.