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| Emotional Mastery Emotional intelligence, addiction and recovery, grieving, loss, fear, anger, guilt, resentment, frustration, anxiety, depression, happiness, joy, love, kindness, forgiveness, self-acceptance, confidence, escaping the pit of despair, EFT |
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| | #1 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 388
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This song is so like my personal Anthem right now... YouTube - Citizen King - Better Days (And The Bottom Drops Out) I can totally related to "seeing better days..." Back in the day, when my life had meaning to it. |
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| | #2 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan
Posts: 520
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maybe try this song Bobby Mcferrin - Don't Worry, Be Happy that always brightens up the day | |
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| | #4 (permalink) |
| Love in Action (Mod) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,527
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coLLege kid07, hahaha that makes me think of those stupid little toy fish they used to have that sing this song...*dances* Back to a serious note... Chado2423, I know how you feel. I'm still trying to figure it out. Don't give up hope. |
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| | #5 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 388
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I've discovered a unique premis over my life... Telling a clinically depressed person to just be happy and to not worry is like telling a fish to swim out of water. BESIDES THAT'S ALL I WANT TO DO is be happy. yes I am familiar with the song, btw. YouTube - Bobby Mcferrin - Don't Worry, Be Happy (Robin Williams anyone?) But... it isn't so easy as that when you have clinical depression. If it was so easy to just wake up and be happy I'd have done that four f'n years ago. But I digress, because no matter how I explain it, you won't understand unless you go through the same or similar problems yourself. Besides Sadness, Grief and Depression AREN'T WRONG. Its okay to feel the woes in life sometimes. Society doesn't want to deal with woes, but they are a vital part of human experience... Anyway, Bobby Mcferrin forgot to write that sadness is necessary if we are to really understand joy. without knowing sadness we can't find out the true meaning of joy. I'm tired of people trying to make me feel like its wrong to have the feelings I feel. Last edited by Chado2423; 06-02-2008 at 04:10 PM. |
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| | #6 (permalink) |
| Love in Action (Mod) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,527
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Chado2423, I understand. I know someone who is clinicly depressed. Have you gotten medication for it, though? That's sometimes the only way one can lead a productive life if they have major depression. |
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| | #7 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 388
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Been there done that... Therapy didn't help, medication didn't help... It just weren't working. Therapy just made me feel even more depressed and I got into debt because of thereapy. The medication DID NOT HELP. Any advice that might actually work this time around would be great! Thanks. My mother also isn't very supportive... so the lies about family and friends being there for you... lies, I tell you. Last edited by Chado2423; 06-02-2008 at 04:51 PM. | |
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| | #8 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 522
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Pick yourself up and start life over! Sit, moan and feel sorry for yourself - stay in the darkness. Forget the 'poor me' thinking. It's hard, I still struggle with the 'poor me', but when I get out of that mode, joy seeps back into my life. Thinking about all the negative things that happened keeps the depression alive. Your life can begin right now, if you want it to. I bet you play your past over and over in your mind. Fat lot of good that is doing you! Make peace with it and do what you have to do to feel the joy you are yearning for. Joy is actually all around you but you are soooo focused on your depression, you are not experiencing it. Feel all the emotions, but without the mental re-run of the past. This is an important key. I've had a personal struggle recently. It has been tough, but I have also felt immense peace and that peace has given me strength. When I felt sad, angry and all the other many emotions, I accepted what I was feeling and allowed them to run their course without my story. YES, I have read Tolle and he is right on. Ok, so perhaps it is harder to get out of clinical depression. I don't know... But, are you hiding behind it? Is it giving you permission or an excuse to wallow? See it as a challenge. A challenge you can conquer one step at a time. Life would be boring without challenges and this challenge will lead you to new better days. | |
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| | #9 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 388
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Yeah you'd think I'd be over it by now. I guess it takes some of us longer to accept the grief in our lives than it does others. Or maybe I'm just abit more open about it. | |
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| | #11 (permalink) | ||
| Family Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 3,709
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I've been depressed (yes, diagnosed) and I am telling you from experience that you have to get out of it yourself. No amount of posting on here is going to help unless you actually start putting the advice people give you into practice. | ||
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| | #12 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 388
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I'm especially pondering whether or not I'm hiding behind my depression. its a thought, and you might be right about that. I'm going to have think this one over. ASPIRING TO CLARITY: I feel like I need to do more than just the superficial everyday things like reading books, eating, drinking water excercising, etc. All good things, no doubt. But they don't cut at the root of the problem. They don't give me any meaning to my life. My biggest problem is that I feel like I have no purpose, so maybe I need more soul searching, which goes beyond just eating and excersicing and reading... the materialistic things of this world are good for survival, but do little for the heart and soul. Last edited by Chado2423; 06-02-2008 at 06:24 PM. | |
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| | #13 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 522
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Love D | |
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| | #14 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 591
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I understand where you are coming from on this particular point. I tried many things to discover my purpose, including Steve’s “write down your potential purposes until you write one that makes you cry” exercise. I took test after test, read book after book, did exercise after exercise and yes, I’ve been to several therapists, all to no avail. I was a like a dog chasing his tail, endlessly, for years until I finally accepted that there is no objective purpose to life. Or another way I like to put it is life is its own purpose. Which is great, but saying to myself that life is its own purpose certainly didn’t help me with my depression. The good thing about my depression was that it did not allow me to settle for the so called answers offered by most religions (excluding mysticism, nondual teachings, etc), philosophies, psychological theories, etc. It was too easy to see through most of that. I finally figured that if I wanted purpose then I have to create it for myself. There was no god, guru or self help expert who was going to show me the way to meaning. I had to define the meaning of my life for myself and that had to be enough. This has truly been an empowering and liberating choice for me personally. Realizing and embracing my own power to choose has also helped me remain free of depression. Maybe you’re right. Maybe you do need more soul searching. Or maybe you’ve done enough soul searching. Maybe it is time to exercise your power to choose. It won’t be easy by any means. I know what it is to struggle with one’s own self defeating mental habits. I am also, however, living proof that it can be done. | |
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| | #15 (permalink) | ||
| Family Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 3,709
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I don't think it's at all materialistic to take good care of yourself and enrich yourself -- in fact I think it's a major stepping stone to being able to do above and beyond that. Maslow's heirarchy and all. Another advice I have is to stop trying so damn hard to figure it all out. I am definitely the same way, but as I've loosened my grip on having to know all of the answers, I've become a lot more peaceful, more happy and I feel like I am able to see the beauty and meaning in life that I was looking so hard for that I missed it. Ironic, but true. Here's a quote from an article that was posted here that really hit me in the face: Quote:
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| | #16 (permalink) | |
| Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,566
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2) having a meaning in life is sometimes exactly eating right and exercising - the meaning of life is to find optimal eating and exercising. 3) heart and soul LOVE moving the body!! There is no way to feel moved by spirit and having lightness of being while thinking doing things that help raise your energy are not going to effect you. 4) soul searching includes using your body, climbing a hill or learning a dance move, or being able to put yourself in deep nature that takes physical effort. 5) the root of the problem is thinking and rejecting that eating right, moving the body, getting out in nature - does nothing for your sense of purpose. All that does, very much so. Maybe you need to get angry. There's the idea that depression is a low energy state. Next here's high energy state of being angry that is really depression with more energy. Then it's easier to slide into happy as a high energy state. It's hard to go straight from depression to energetically happy, in other words, much less going from depressed to peaceful feelings. Once there's a feeling of energetically happy, one can slide over to low energy happy, which is peace. So go get pissed off! damn it!! Last edited by wolfgang; 06-02-2008 at 07:27 PM. | |
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| | #17 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 388
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2. the meaning of life is to find optimal eating and exercising. I really don't agree. If my relationships are terrible and we argue almost every day "about my depression btw."-- almost like its wrong to be depressed, almost like my love for ex wasn't important... well it was important TO ME! DAMN IT! 3. heart and soul LOVE moving the body!! There is no way to feel moved by spirit and having lightness of being while thinking doing things that help raise your energy are not going to effect you.--- hmmmm? I'm glad you have such love for your body, but my body is just that: A Body. And I can see on one level where you might be right.... but that would only be if you had other things going for you such as a job and friends. I don't have that. 4. soul searching includes using your body, climbing a hill or learning a dance move, or being able to put yourself in deep nature that takes physical effort. (I just don't agree, sorry.) 5. Again don't agree. Wolfgang thanks for trying, but I just don't see it. How can you prove to me that more excercise and eating right is going to help me with my relationships with family and friends (which is what I am most depressed about anyway.) My mom and I don't get along very well ever since I became depressed, but i have to live with her, becaus eI have no source of income. We're getting ready to move, NOT MY CHOICE... and I have to go along for the ride. I don't feel like a fully functioning capable adult like I used to. My life is going nowhere, and I'm getting there fast. I feel like I have little to no control over my life. Last edited by Chado2423; 06-04-2008 at 04:56 PM. | |
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| | #19 (permalink) | ||||||
| Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,566
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Part of what you should be doing with your life is taking care of yourself. This is one of the basic meanings of LIFE. To take care of yourself is life. Life is about caring about life. Eating right, etc... is what life is. If you don't do that, there is little room for figuring out your debt and family. It's a base line that once in place, other parts of your life can get better too. take care of yourself. Quote:
They are keeping you depressed by telling you it is wrong to be so. You are staying depressed because they tell you to not be that way. Love of ex (as in ex-romantic partner?) are you saying love of someone is just as important or right as being depressed (about that)? Quote:
I'm not sure I have a love for my body - but love for what it can do for me and the things I can enjoy through it. Maybe that's individualistic, but I think it might be more common among people. Don't most people like to take a walk? Or go dance to a band? Quote:
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How about I go down the path you are on. You are right. Nothing will help your depression. Even exercising and eating right won't change it. In fact, why even eat or exercise at all, since it has absolutely no relation to how you interact with people. I could starve and wither away or eat right and be buff - and it just won't matter, I still will not have friends of family that doesn't dump on me. I won't feel any better about myself based on how I eat or exercise - it's all in my head and I'm clinically depressed. Eating and exercising do nothing for my head, I'll just be energitically depressed. So I won't even care about myself since caring for myself won't help anything. hmm... maybe you are right. | ||||||
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| | #20 (permalink) |
| Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 23
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I agree with most here that only you can pull yourself out of this funk. In time things will get naturally better on their own, thats the way our emotions ebb and flow. However if you want to have a better grip on calming that flow and creating a happier life, you WILL have to take action. I wouldnt concern myself with all of the "finding a meaning" and other self help concepts out there. This actually can work against you. Bogging Yourself Down : clearmindblog.com So I have a few questions 1. Where are you living right now? 2. Do you have an income? 3. Love life? 4. How much completely isolated and peaceful "you" time are you getting? |
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| | #21 (permalink) | |
| Family Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,800
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You're saying you disagree. But you haven't actually done anything. You're thinking about it. Try taking some action. Just try it - for a sustained period of time. And if it doesn't work, then you can come back and berate people, and tell them it didn't work. Let that be your goal if nothing else. | |
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| | #23 (permalink) | |
| Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,566
| Quote:
What kind of different person do you want to be? Answer that without saying what you don't want. Don't say "I don't want to be____" but as "I want do be _____") | |
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| | #24 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 388
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So I have a few questions 1. Where are you living right now? With my parents, who are moving and I have to move with them. 2. Do you have an income? No. Got fired. Not good for a depressed person to get fired. I think that I got fired because of the depression really, although they came up with another excuse. 3. Love life? NONE! Miss my ex, even still. 4. How much completely isolated and peaceful "you" time are you getting? Not enough. [/QUOTE] |
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| | #25 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 108
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I just want to say I had clinical depression my sophomore year of highschool (though sadly I was too proud/embarassed to admit it to my family and doctors -- they thought I had mono), so I litterally understand your pain. It was perhaps the worst point in my life, as I am sure you feel it is with yours. You mentioned previously that you wanted to find meaning in your life. I had much the same struggles, and I don't want to come off as a philosophy nut, but it helps. Philosophy provides perspective, if people have thought or felt it, its in there somewhere. Philosophy for me was always an exercise of looking at the world though another lens. It's an exercise in perspective; it helps your mind think in a different way than it does currently. Perspective detaches yourself from your problems and provides a clearer view of your current situation. The exercise thing will definately help. I know when I had depression, I didn't eat correctly because, well... i didn't care. I was extremely apathetic and miserably sad, which lead to a poor diet which lead to constantly being tired which was additional physical pain. It's a cycle and it builds on itself in some sense. The exercise will not fix your problem, it should/will in a small way alleviate it, which is a step in the right direction. My only other suggestion to you is find something you enjoy and emerse yourself in it. I personally found that sports were a good avenue to distract myself and vent my frustrations. They kept me occupied on things other than my own depression. Eventually, it slowly started to fade for me at least. I am sure it takes different time for different people, but you have to take solace in the fact that things will inevitably get better (its important that you take steps to make this happen since you recognize it). One last thing, stop listening to depressing music. Music for me was a tool to immerse myself in my own depression. I would listen to depressing music and brood and focus on things that I shouldn't. I know its easy, but it's not healthy. If you truly want to get better, you need to change every possible aspect of your life for the better that is in your control, and music is one of those. Lastly, I hope this helps, and I hope you feel better soon. Last edited by Liminal Chris; 06-05-2008 at 07:06 AM. |
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| | #26 (permalink) |
| Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Posts: 70
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Chado, Eating right and exercising can help you get along better with your family and make friends. Let me explain. Your mother seems to have problems with seeing you depressed. Maybe her real problem is that she doesn't see you taking any steps to get over it? When you eat right and exercise, that is one aspect of your life that is improving. She will feel the positive change. Plus, having a full stomach and healthy body helps you think clearly. You make better decisions. You feel better. A healthy mind, heart and soul will only be found in a healthy body. Plus, joining a gym can help you meet new people and make friends. Socializing helps, too. One other point, you seem to say "clinically" depressed as if the term "clinical" makes it irrevertible or acceptable. Of course being depressed is not acceptable or irrevertible. You seem to be looking for some sort of justification that "it is okay to spend your life in depression, there is nothing you can do about it, so just go ahead and keep doing it" rather than looking for ways to get out of it. Sorry if this sounds rude to you, but somebody has to say it! It will only help you to realise it, if indeed this is what you do. Your family obviously cares about you, otherwise they wouldn't keep making such a fuss about your depression! Or give you a place to stay, for that matter. Wonderful way to thank them for the food, shelter, clothing and care - by despising them! I am sure your family has tried everything they could to get you out of the depression. But you don't come off as someone who wants to get out of it - it is almost as if you feel you have a right to shy away from your duties and future just because a doctor certified you as depressed. So, the bottom line is, if you want to keep being depressed, go ahead by all means. It is your life! But, if you genuinely want to get out of it, start by eating healthy and exercising. Good luck! Cheers, Gayathri. |
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| | #27 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 388
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I looked up tics on wikipedia (this is just one of my many battles) and all I found was that they don't know much about tics that develop in adulthood... Could I possibly manifest a doctor who knows something about what I am going through. Manifest a specialist, like a neurologist... AS WELL AS THE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT? The depression seems better on some days than others. Sometimes I can control my crying, sometimes not. Sometimes I feel pretty well, sometimes I feel lousy. So don't think that I'm always depressed. It comes in bouts, rivers, oceans, and streams, and hurricanes! (The wind knows not wither it cometh or goeth.) And blah blah... Last edited by Chado2423; 06-05-2008 at 10:03 PM. |
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| | #29 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 388
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I hope to one day be singing again: Life Of Brian - Ending | |
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| | #30 (permalink) | ||
| Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,566
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You know you write well, don't you? You wrote some imagery there for what it's like, that is cool. What kind of imagery would you come up with for the "So don't think that I'm always depressed" part? Doing that would help, I think (I know I keep throwing the kitchen sink at you), because then you'd be focusing on that part when it's better. And if you asked about using IM to help - this is it. Getting yourself to focus on the feelings of the state as if your desire is already manifested is the formula. That coming in bouts... does that feel like you have no control or influence over the feelings that "show up"? If so, it's an emotional habit that you've forgotten you do. And depression is a natural response, withdraw is needed at times, it's normal. The difficult part is having it as a habit, then you have to "unlearn" a behavior by not supporting it with your thinking. If you can identify the thinking that is part of the habit, choose to not feed those thoughts. Awareness of the habit is the beginning, then choosing something else is a step away from investing in the depression more. | ||
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