Several years ago, I had a therapist that would not work with me without a "team" and it felt demoralizing. I gave up and walked away. Now, however, having hit bottom again, I'm finding myself adding pieces of support that are shaping up to look like a team after all (pdoc, naturopath, therapist, friend).

I see the value of this now in a way that I didn't then. I'm wondering if any of you have a team, or pieces of support that you've pulled together, and what that looks like? I'm sure there are other sources of support out there and I'd like to explore them as well so that I don't get sucked back under and isolate or depend on only one kind of support ever again.

[Mountainbard]

Hi lickety-split,

Great post! (Autocorrect put a hyphen in your username, btw. ) I don't have that kind of support system but I really recognize the value of it and am trying to (re)build mine. I have a pdoc again and am searching for a good therapist. I also get support from my spouse, and really value these forums for support and insight. I'm also looking for volunteer opportunities, and for a club/group that I would enjoy getting involved with.

My problem is that I isolate big-time when I get depressed, and my periods of depression, in the past 25 years, have lasted a year of more. Hence I really don't have any friends, because it is kind of hard to keep friends when you disappear for months or years at a time. I know a lot of other folks with major depression or BP2 experience the same thing.

So kudos to you! May your post & example be an inspiration to others.

all the best,
Randy

[Blue_Bird]

I have my therapist, pdoc, group, and my mom

Mountainbird, my depression lasts a long time too, and I completely get what you're saying. This last round is now going on over a year, during which time my therapist moved and I thought I would never again go that route. I've never been able to hang onto friends for the same reason you shared, but I have been beyond fortunate to have one that surfaced and hung in there during this bad patch. Having a real life anchor is helping me to reach out to these other supports. I never had that before, or wasn't able to see it if it was there.

Bluebird, my friend suggested group therapy to me, but all I can think of is that I would be sitting around with a lot of depressed people like myself. Why kind of group do you go to, if you don't mind sharing?

[Blue_Bird]

It's one at the clinic I see my therapist and pdoc at, there's only about 7 of us including the therapist that runs it. We talk about anything really, how our day is going, etc and just like talking to a friend. Then we also talk about serious stuff that's bothering us and offer support. We also do arts and crafts and play games. It's 2 times a week for 3 hours each day. I like it, even though I'm pretty shy and don't say a lot. It's nice to get out of the house once in awhile

That actually sounds nice, and not at all what I expected. It must help to have a good therapist leading it.