Depression (via Joss Burnel – The Crowing Crone)

Sharing a poem that captures depression so vividly I fell into it momentarily. How blessed I am that I am not often visited by such soul destroying sadness and that when he or she or ti comes, I know in time other visiting feelings will take over. Many others are not so lucky and I re-post this for you who are more often visited so you might feel less alone and having company always makes it a bit easier to move forward.

Depression, my old friend dogging at my heels: like a thick grey fog wanting to envelop me, or like a migraine on the edge of my awareness waiting to spring and swallow me, like a giant squid covering my world with a spurt of deep black ink. Depression, my old friend aren’t you tired of this life-long friendship of ours? Don’t you wish to just move on and never return? Over the last four decades I have ranted and yelled at you, I have begged to b … Read More

via Joss Burnel – The Crowing Crone

In remission (via Poppyposts)

Inspiring and hopefully. At time life makes it all most impossible, but to stand in the water and try to keep our heads up so we can breathe. Then comes that wonderful release when we can do more and move ahead. thank you Poppy for this and for your courage. Sharing is caring.

At long last and after many, many months my stomach has finally stopped its incessant churning. The constant feeling of nausea and fatigue has lifted. My head is clear and calm and this past week I have been able to focus on the tasks in front of me instead of my butterfly of a mind flitting about mercilessly leaving me unable to start and finish anything in one attempt. I am in remission. I recognise the signs and as ever, it is only when I star … Read More

via Poppyposts

“I Keep Many of My Postwar Idiosyncrasies Private” (via Off The Base)

“An abnormal response to an abnormal situation is normal.” Victor Franel, concentration camp survivor. The sadness of not understanding the above leaves many feeling more isolate and alone than need be. Thank you Off the Base for sharing.

National Public Radio aired a commentary this week by Benjamin Tupper. Below is a link to hear or read it and an invitation to those who have felt similar emotions to speak out or at talk to a fellow combat veteran. Like many … Read More

via Off The Base

THERAPY THOUGHTS

Challenging the Just Get Happy Mantra by a woman living with depression of bi-polar. this article is one of the most realistic presentations on living with a brain that doesn’t cooperate the way you wish.

Surrender to the Brain: When the Reframing Gets Old | World of Psychology.

In addition to the pain involved in having a brain that works differently, the stigma attached to just being different, let alone having a “mental illness” ups the pain in quantum steps.  One hopeful sign is the sharing of information by those who have been there and struggled successfully to keep fighting  helps in two ways: the struggling do not feel so alone;  those not appreciating the struggles of some, gain a better understanding.  Two ways stigma is being fought.

Staying Strong Tip: On those days you stand still  in the swamp of life’s pain, hardly able to breathe,  try to remember that other less painful and often better  times a wait.   Keeping a Feeling Log and regularly Taking your Feeling Thermometer reminds you how feeling come and go and sometimes change for the better is only a short time away.

Emotional Fitness Training is not about always being happy.  Sometimes it sounds that way, but it is really about managing the feeling of the moment.  That means savoring the good and slogging through the bad.  Stay strong.