If even just 1 person gets something out of this....

The other day I was talking to my sister-in-law.  We were talking about how I think my blogging about my depression and my life and whatever else is sort of a form of therapy for me.  I said if even 1 person gets something from what I write then I will continue doing it.  I figured if even 1 person can benefit from knowing that they are not alone then it's worth continuing.

That night I got an email from a friend of mine on facebook thanking me for sharing.  This friend told me that I inspired them and they just wanted to know if it got easier.  Honestly, sometimes it takes a long time but it does get easier eventually.  It did for me.  It took me years of struggling with myself.  It took me years of trying to figure out who my real friends were.  It took me a long time to realize that it was a sickness that I had to live with for the rest of my life and it was ok.  I wasn't a freak with some weird disease.   I was a person fighting to get better. 

It's not easy to talk about all the time but it is something that sometimes needs to be said.  DEPRESSIONS SUCKS!!!!! Some people can't handle it, others can't handle seeing someone with it.... As I previously posted: [To me] admitting you have a problem and asking for help is very hard.  For me, it was the hardest part. 

I used to be friends with someone who fought very hard with depression.  I told her that she needed to talk to her mom about it because I could not be her support system.  I couldn't handle it.  She took the step and told her mom but never went further with it.  She felt better saying she had a problem but she never took another step during the rest of our friendship.  She still asked me for advice and help.  We lost touch years ago and she eventually moved away.  Hopefully she found the help she needed.  I just couldn't be it. 

Often times people focus on 1 thing.  That can help in the short-term.  Unfortunately, becoming dependant on that one thing can cause stress and strain.  One of my former therapist (and most of my Psychiatrists) agreed that an entire support system needed to be set up. 

Alcoholics have AA.  Drug users have NA.  People with depression do have support groups they can check out.  They have both online chat groups and groups all over that meet. I googled "depression support groups" and got "About 5,840,000 results (0.12 seconds)" results. I saw this one: http://www.nmha.org/go/find_support_group which has all sorts of resources to finding groups for people with depression. I bet if I was more specific and put the area I live in I could find more groups.  The point is that there is help out there.  You just have to be willing to look.

Today I have my 1st appointment with a new Psychiatrist.  She specializes in medication management but her practice also has counselors and other resources.  Today I am taking my 1st step to getting back to feeling better.