New here
My therapist suggested I find a support group online so, here I am.
Hello, all. I'm 23 years old and was diagnosed with clinical depression at age 14 during a particularly bad episode, but only recently was told that I actually have dysthymia/chronic depression...which would make sense because I've been feeling reasonlessly sad since I was a child. I also have general anxiety disorder.
I've been dealing with this for my entire life, but I have only recently learned what dysthymia is and am only recently dealing (in therapy) with A LOT of issue I've buried. The past few years have been worse on me since my boyfriend had an emotional affair with a particularly nasty person...we've stayed together but trying to repair my self-esteem and trust has been tough when both were already not great to begin with.
I guess I'm looking to know to see how other people cope, to get advice on how to manage this, and to have a place to go for support when I can't reach anyone else. I look forward to talking with some of you and trying to get through this together.
Hey I can relate to some of the things you are going through. I'm 21 and I have depression and anxiety. I've been trying really hard to get better. I go to therapy, take antidepressants, and I joined 7 cups a few months ago. I started getting depressed after my boyfriend of 6 years broke up with me. So I could understand some of the things you are going through I know it's really hard and it could get lonely at times but what I like about 7 cups is that everyone is so supportive and they understand. I hope this helps.
I'm sorry to hear that you're going through similar stuff, especially the break up. My boyfriend and I have been together for six years too, and we almost broke up over the affair, so I can relate to how difficult to it is to face the end of such a long relationship.
But I'm glad to hear that you've found help here and I hope I can find the same too. Thanks for the support and the quick response!
It's awesome that you are actively seeking help and looking for solutions to your problems! To get to a stable place is a journey. But it's a journey chock full of lessons. I would like to provide some tips to help you on your way.
1. Self Compassion- chances are like most people you are pretty hard on yourself. But to really start to make a change you have to get out of your own way. Start changing the voice in your head to that of a gentle friend that is rooting for you. Be patient with yourself.
2. Positive thoughts- your thoughts make your world they are very powerful things. "Your mind is a garden your thoughts are the seeds, you can grow flowers or you can grow weeds". Your thought world needs to be laced with hope, compassion, positivity, gratitude.
3. Positive content- now most of us who have been in a dark place know that if left to ourselves it's difficult to conjure positive thoughts. So feed yourself positive content. Read inspirational quotes and advice. Search things like "how to be happy" "benefits of happiness" Read scientific articles and self help books. Take advantage of this Information Age we live in and take in positive information.
4. Journaling- it's the cheapest form of therapy. Write, write, write. All your thoughts, emotions, fears, past experiences. Just start writing. It is scientifically proven to be very therapeutic and I can say from personal experience that it is.
5. Meditation- another scientifically backed method with many benefits.
6. "Feel it to heal it" stop sweeping feelings and unresolved past issues under the rug. Let yourself feel the hurt and pain. Sit in the pain for a little bit to start the healing process.
7. "There is a treasure in every trial mentality" look for the lesson that each hardship in your life taught you. Leave the pain, take the lesson and move forward.
8. Gratitude- frequently remind yourself what you are thankful for. Even in the midst of hardship we still have a thousand blessings.
if you search the internet you will find science backed articles about the power of journaling, meditation, positive thinking and gratitude which should convince you that these things actually work.
Best of luck!
Hi my name is Dawn and I am a new person here.
New. Seeker. Not very hopeful.
Welcome to a place that has space for everybody. A place of positivity. A place for you :)
i am not sure if i have depression or not. i went to see a theartist it didnt help much of course i somewhat was not honest. sometimes do i feel bad other times i feel ok but i did not like thearpy i also do not believe drugs are right for me. i dont feel depressed everyday only a few weeks out of the month. so i know it will go away but it does get overwhelming on occasion and cause complications. i also usually keep my emotions to myself this is even hard for me.
