[Vowel Lady]

I receive a newsletter from a group called Hazelton. It's for addiction treatment. Ironically, I don't drink or have issues here and thank goodness, this hasn't been an issue in our family. I did have a problem with over-eating and I find many of the princples relate to that. I get the newsletter because I find it powerfully true. Today's message had to do with depression...which is sometimes mentioned here and something everyone, or nearly everyone, has to get through at times. I hope you don't mind me posting it. I have a relative who suffers with Bipolar Disorder and you guys have helped me...I'm most grateful. It is a concern for me and my family...near to my heart.



Today's thought from Hazelden is:

Today I will do one thing more than I think I can do.

If I'm too tired or depressed to get out of bed, I will not only get up but also take a shower.

If I don't have the energy to go to work, I will get dressed and drive to the parking lot of my job.

If I just can't face the world, I will walk to the end of the street and back.

I will reach a little further than whatever I believe my limitations to be. Usually, when I take that little extra step, it seems easier than I thought it would, and I feel better too.

[waves]

Originally Posted by Vowel Lady

Today's thought from Hazelden is:

Today I will do one thing more than I think I can do.

If I'm too tired or depressed to get out of bed, I will not only get up but also take a shower.

If I don't have the energy to go to work, I will get dressed and drive to the parking lot of my job.

If I just can't face the world, I will walk to the end of the street and back.

I will reach a little further than whatever I believe my limitations to be. Usually, when I take that little extra step, it seems easier than I thought it would, and I feel better too.

Thanks Vowel Lady.

For moderate-mild depression,
these sounds like good suggestions. It is also useful to push harder lonce one has begun to emerge from a deeper depression, and as such has greater energy and resources to cope. These steps are useful, in such cases, in preventing depressive behaviors from becoming habit.

HOWEVER, in the midst of severe depression,
the deep dark kind,
the PIT
... pushing oneself can be counterproductive. there are times we can do the one more thing. there are times instead when we must give ourselves permission just to BE because that is hard enough. Not forever and ever, but on some days. cannot push every day.

also i want to note that the line i highlighted in blue sounds like a guideline for pushing the envelope gently.

however the suggestions given to exemplify that statement push the envelope rather aggressively which can be harmful. even if you feel "accomplished" the one day, investing too much of oneself too suddenly is draining, and is asking for trouble. it is better to pace oneself.

for instance, the first example, if too tired/depressed to get out of bed, taking a shower can be a gargantuan addition - and that's TWO more things not one. one more thing would be to get out of bed, since one doesn't feel one can. getting up and sitting on the couch instead would be less aggressve.

~ waves ~ who knows the pit like a blind man and that once you're in you don't just shinny your way outta there by brute force or u fall flat on face again. i have flattened my face many times.

[Mari]

Thank you, Vowel Lady,

I looked up Hazeldon and can see that it is a helpful site.
M.

[waves]

............. i should just stick my head in the toilet and flush???

i hope i didn't upset you Vowel Lady.

i just felt i needed to make distinction of 2 different situations that ppl could find themselves in.

- when posted info would be useful and helpful

- when posted info would be less appropriate

that is all. because i've been in both of those situations.


however

.............. i will kick outta here now. no insult intended.

i guess i should stay in my own thread where i can do the least damage right now.

[Vowel Lady]

Waves...no need to worry.
I believe I have seen situations of all kinds of levels of depression.
If it is severe, its best to talk with the doctor and work with him or her accordingly. And you make a good point about limitations.
Perhaps, as a person works there way out of the "darkness" they can implement this idea. And, for moderate-mild depression, this idea is a mainstay. Sometimes action can get a person out of depression (if possible and/or appropriate). Sometimes the action can be the least little thing...but just a small indication of moving forward provides a bright light of hope.

[waves]

thanks V Lady...

i am glad i did not upset you.

i see you totally get what i was saying.

thank you for posting back.

i am a bit overreactive.

(a big bit i suspect )

~ waves ~