[desirae]

All I want to basically know is, is there a way out of depression on your own? Can one find the strength and knowledge to figure oneself way out of depression, on thier own? Is it always neccesary to seek professional help?
Does anybody have any suggestions, suggesting self help?

[Lexicon78]

Have you read any self-help books that may be of some help? I would start there on books on depression...maybe The Depression Workbook. I think the mild depression can probably be helped on its own. But if it's severe depression, like I have, I would urge you to seek professional help.

[desirae]

I know my depression is not minor, but under some very small and mere reasons I am unable to see a proffesional. But I do believe since I am willing to fight and suffer my way to one day reaching a median there may be a possibility I can try it on my own first.
I'm going to research your suggestion, I appreciate it.
If you don't mind me asking, what part of PA are you from? I lived in York for awhile and I loved it.
I miss it alot.
Desirae

maybe not professional help is needed, but I do believe that you one should try alot of support in family, friends, religious leaders, etc. Spending time with others and being authentic about what you are really going through may help the depression.

i tried for a long time to dig my way out. i can't do it on my own and sometimes i don't do a very good job with help. good luck, xoxox pat

[LMo]

Can I ask why you want to do it alone? Why struggle alone when help is available? The problem is that depression manifests itself in negative thinking patterns, very often resulting in apathy. Once you hit that point, then you might not "see the point" in trying to fix yourself. This is the main reason why seeking help is essential -- it's just so difficult, if not impossible, to keep your perspective clear and your motivation up to a sufficient level.

[(JD)]

Yes, for some levels of depression, you can dig out on your "own." See the list of the 10 common cognitive distortions and work, work, work on not allowing them into your life. Good wishes!

[desirae]

There's some stupid petty things that make it difficult for me to seek proffesional help. Like for example my husband and I share a car, and he works all day, plus I don't have medical insurance. I don't want these small issues in my life to stop, and hold up, my process to healing. If I stop because I can't see a proffesional, then yes I fear I will one day reach the point were I'll ask myself, why go on?
I have the strength inside somewhere, to get through this on my own. I think researching my alternatives is basically what I can do for myself at this point in my life.
I'm not a religous person, but I love to read and research, and I'm very observant to myself. I honestly think, I can get out of this on my own, and if it gets to the point where I have to go to a proffesional, I'll be aware of it and do whatever it takes to get there.
Alone is pretty much what I got right now.
Desirae

[(JD)]

Have you thought about online therapy? Or making contact with a local therapist who will do email therapy with you? Alone is really tough!

[LMo]

Those are good reason, Desirae. Finding an online support group like this is a great free option, so I'm glad you found us! Also, _Sky mentioned online therapy - I tried it a few times and agree it's a decent alternative to in-person therapy, although given the options...

And you're not alone. You have us now

[Azalysa]

Hi, Desirae!

I agree with all the prior posters. Just wanted to add a thought:

There are two "kinds" of depression - depression that is "situational" (ie death in the family, the holiday season for some otherwise non-depressed people, job loss, those types of things).

Then there is the depression that is an illness - a chemical imbalance in the brain. That is a physical illness and all the talk therapy in the world, affirmations, whatever, will (in my opinion) be more frustrating. It is like someone with diabetes wondering if they are strong enough to overcome diabetes by themselves.

I was in therapy for several months when my T. identified that I had the illness of depression rather than situational depression (I was going through a divorce at the time, so it was hard to distinguish, but I had been having intermittent depressions since my early 20's.)

That is why I feel it is so very important to see a professional who is trained to make that determination. Understand about the car/insurance thing. If it can be worked out, there are generally some county mental health agencies in addition to the great suggestions above!

And as others have said, we're here for you as well.

[JustBen]

As far as self-help goes, I'd recommend Feeling Good and/or The Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns, M.D. They're available at most bookstores and maybe at your library...if they're not at your branch, you can talk to the librarian about an inter-library loan. I've never read the Handbook, but Feeling Good did me a lot of good. I actually bought a new copy last week because my original has been lent out to so many friends and family members that I lost track of it.

pinned to the top of the dissociative messageboard you will find a resource list. in there I have listed many books, workbooks, and so on on a variety of things depression is one of them. I highly recommend the Depression workbook, The PTSD workbook and Mind Over Mood workbook. They all have great info and activities to help yourself with depression symptoms.