Posted by dj on July 22, 2000, at 7:47:12
In reply to Re: Thanks, ksvt and more on stress, depression links, posted by ksvt on July 21, 2000, at 23:23:20
>dj - thanks for the definition. It pretty much fits in with what my therapist was saying to me not too long ago about not kicking myself for the fact that the stressors that trigger depressions in me might not be at all bothersome to other people. It makes sense, but is still hard to swallow. If the symptoms hang around long enough, you start feeling that this is a life you have >chosen for yourself.
In some cosmic, karmic sense perhaps. It is difficult to see the forest for the trees at times, particularly when in the midst of the symptoms of depression - helplessness and hopelessness being key ones. And it takes time, effort, compasssionate support (from self and others) and faith to work one's way through the thickets of one's own afflictions and realize which one's you can influence, how and how subtle the distinctions can be at times.
I know that when I'm feeling off, as I was yesterday for awhile (though to a much lesser degree than I have in the past) that this too will pass and there are things that I can do to help speed up that passage. For instance a combo. of heat, fatigue, a spazzed back and feeling generally run down convinced me that it would be futile to work on a some lengthy writing that I am working my way through, much more slowly than I would prefer. And I was sent a computer virus on top of all that.
I felt somewhat discouaged at times, yesterday but underneath that was a faith that this too will pass, and I can speed up and influence the progress as I can and did, rather than feeling overwhelmed by all these things in combination. So, I spent the time I needed to dealing with these factors one by one. I also went to the movie "Chicken Run" as I find Matinee Therapy a boost. And it was a pure delight to see kids dancing in the aisles with their parents when the movie wrapped.
That final scene was the most touching one of all and provided me some joy and perspective to move on to what I needed to do next, which was clean up the virus. And so on and so forth...Today I feel better but still a bit tired and am working on moving through all of that...
>I just think Dr. O'Connor does a really good job of describing depressed people and how they think and how they react. At the time, I didn't feel I could implement some of what he suggested, but just just reading the book made me feel considerably less isolated. Maybe it's time for >me to give it another read. Ciao
I've read and re-read the book and portions of it many times and it helps we and has helped me with my perspective when it has been skewed by my perception of my cirucumstances. That and finding good folks and counsellors to help me keep my balance and finding a core faith that there is some sort of meaning in all of this, and that my challenge is to take it and make it a worthwhile story for all concerned, rather than not.
Sante!
dj
P.S. - How do you eat an elephant??
One mouthful at a time!!!
poster:dj
thread:40900
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000717/msgs/41181.html