tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45087937000797263142024-02-06T22:56:59.427-05:00Depression Ever AfterAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4508793700079726314.post-30836494255183313762015-05-26T14:54:00.004-04:002015-05-26T15:13:29.702-04:00Recognizing and Accepting Happiness<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Hv4C1pwLKMJO_W4ANOAPIrFBjZFbOR8q5SC8U8BP6jODsiToq9j23CIuXy4OEwEERpWCjZHxAWpZpv1uN9f_l6KPc1B3UFXxuTHbLakv1is8KA0MiVQ9YBHwBilgR7r4sxTGcueGfpE/s1600/happiness+is+(Rose%2BLane%2Bquote).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Hv4C1pwLKMJO_W4ANOAPIrFBjZFbOR8q5SC8U8BP6jODsiToq9j23CIuXy4OEwEERpWCjZHxAWpZpv1uN9f_l6KPc1B3UFXxuTHbLakv1is8KA0MiVQ9YBHwBilgR7r4sxTGcueGfpE/s1600/happiness+is+(Rose%2BLane%2Bquote).jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">It’s easy to forget what happiness feels like. When you’ve been living with Depression for so long (over 10 years for me now), you quickly forget how it feels. When it does happen, it feels foreign. It confuses you. You actually spend a great deal of time trying to figure out what this feeling is called. And then it dawns on you. This is what it feels like to be <i>happy</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">A few months ago, I had two really awesome days in a row, and I realized how long it had been since that had happened. I tend to let myself get so caught up in day to day life - stress from work, an immune deficient dog, an immune deficient partner, wondering if we will ever be able to buy a house… I forgot what it was like to just enjoy my life. But then, for no reason at all, I felt content. I felt happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">I think that for so long, for so very long, I didn’t feel real. I was miserable, constantly, every second of every day. I didn’t know what it was like to be happy, to be content. All I knew was pain and emptiness. I had been low for so long, I forgot what it was like to just feel “normal” (which is, of course, a very subjective term).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">This realization was difficult to accept. How can someone forget what happiness feels like? Depression is how. While Depression is much more than just feeling sad, it is still (essentially) the opposite of happiness. In the worst of my Depression, I was perpetually unhappy. This went on for hours, days, weeks, months, years. It’s no wonder I forgot what happiness felt like – I was living in a world of never-ending sadness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Now that I have come this far in my recovery (with a hell of a lot farther to go), I have finally remembered what it feels like to be happy and content. Do I feel that way all day, every day? No. But that’s ok. And I am extremely grateful to now be able to experience happiness and to recognize it when it happens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">How do you know when you're feeling happy?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Much love,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Rain</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this post, please share!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>You can also c</b><b>onnect with me on</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4508793700079726314.post-22691131346535672462015-02-25T12:00:00.000-05:002015-02-25T12:00:04.293-05:00Depression Is Forever<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sometimes I forget just how bad it can be. How completely and utterly full of despair I can become. How out of control I can feel.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSu4_n7X5lI6qL_9X0SMxc9O0sNsurR3n30ck08ihdj9LvrkRzkS6Fm65ap9GlhVsB2munyeZR1eaJKpiIs4hqGUZAMD2vnck0DzYWlrxOyTn0IJH3cdH1iFB3dkOU1yHmLPITTia4kQ/s1600/standing+in+the+rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSu4_n7X5lI6qL_9X0SMxc9O0sNsurR3n30ck08ihdj9LvrkRzkS6Fm65ap9GlhVsB2munyeZR1eaJKpiIs4hqGUZAMD2vnck0DzYWlrxOyTn0IJH3cdH1iFB3dkOU1yHmLPITTia4kQ/s1600/standing+in+the+rain.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mharmanlikli/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Image via Flickr by Murat Harmanlikli</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It had been so long. Of course, I have never been in full remission with my Depression, but for a long while now, I had been very stable. Until recently. Until I felt that all too familiar rush of anxiety, hopelessness, and unstoppable tears.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Having just started a new job in December, I was running into some problems at work. I was stressed and worried about my future in this new role. I’m not sure if it was due to the time of year, the pressure of a new job, or the general build-up of work-related stress, but I had a meltdown. A meltdown that lasted about a week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I didn’t sleep. I could barely eat. I had constant stomach pains and headaches. I was scared to go to work, or even leave the house. I became paranoid that I was going to get fired, and that my partner wanted to leave me. I cried at the drop of a hat. I thought my world was ending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The logical part of me recognized that this was an episode of Depression. I had experienced it many times before, and it was just a matter of time before it ended. But as the hours dragged on, I slowly lost touch with logic. I began to think that this would last forever. I felt hopeless, ashamed, and guilty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I tried to hide it from people at work, which was fairly easy because they don’t really know me well. I tried to hide it from my mom, but it didn’t take long for me to seek comfort from her. Worst yet, I tried to hide it from my partner. I knew that he didn’t quite have an understanding of my illness yet, how it can creep up on me with no reason or warning, and how quickly it can consume me. I thought it would just be easier to suffer in silence, and save him from the trauma of seeing me this way. Well, that didn’t work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It wasn’t long before I could no longer contain it all. I blurted it all out – my irrational fears of losing my job and him leaving me, the fact that I hadn’t slept more than a few hours in the past three days, along with the tears that had built up behind wide, terrified eyes. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He reassured me that he wasn’t going anywhere, that I was simply over-thinking things. I agreed, but I didn't believe him. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity (which was really a few days), I was normal again (normal being subjective and self-defined).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a prime example of how Depression never really goes away. I will have this illness, this sickness, this disease, for the rest of my life. It’s easy to forget just how bad it can really be. You can go a long while without any major symptoms, but they will always come back. And it’s usually when you’re the least prepared.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My advice to you is to enjoy every moment of the good times, and to always be prepared for the bad times. I don’t mean that you should live in constant fear of your Depression, but don’t ever let yourself be ambushed by it. For some of us, Depression is forever. Don't let it fool you into thinking it's not.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Much love,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Rain</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this post, please share!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can also c</b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">onnect with me on</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/rain_gill" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Depression-Ever-After/1397751940449771?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/109467348606970022188/109467348606970022188/about/p/pub" target="_blank">Google+</a>, and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/rain_gill/depression-ever-after/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4508793700079726314.post-27713966464789197032015-01-05T11:09:00.001-05:002015-02-18T21:19:14.054-05:00Expressive Therapeutic Writing: 16 Tips For Beginners (Free Download)<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hello, everyone! Remember when I published a blog post about <a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/11/expressive-therapeutic-writing.html" target="_blank">Expressive Therapeutic Writing</a>? Remember how I said to stay tuned for even more tips on how to get started with your own writing? Well, it's finally here! I am pleased to offer a completely free list of 16 tips for beginners (and the pros) for you to download!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope that this list can give you the inspiration, the courage, and the confidence to begin your own writing journeys. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please share them in the comments section below.</span><br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6O4wXztZtF-SktfREZ3MXM5Z2c/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Click here for your free download!</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Much love,</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Rain</b></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this post, please share it!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can also c</b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">onnect with me on</b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/rain_gill" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Depression-Ever-After/1397751940449771?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/109467348606970022188/109467348606970022188/about/p/pub" target="_blank">Google+</a>, and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/rain_gill/depression-ever-after/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!</span></b><br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Related Posts: </b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/12/ways-to-cope-with-Depression.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">(Unconventional) Ways To Cope With Depression</a>, </span><a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/11/top-3-expressive-therapeutic-writing.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Top 3 Expressive Therapeutic Writing Tips</a>, <a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/11/expressive-therapeutic-writing.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Expressive Therapeutic Writing</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4508793700079726314.post-4457513247946746692015-01-05T10:45:00.000-05:002015-02-18T21:19:54.733-05:00Thank You...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In appreciation of your patience and continued support, I
want to offer my wonderful readers a little something. </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have not been able to
write as often as I would like, and I know this can be irksome. I have been
dabbling with some design work in the hopes of creating some promotional
materials for Depression Ever After, and I want to share with you what I have
created so far.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDEWSZGdHw2Y2HfXAUFdBwB48i7W-tGa8xLx1KveSHREkdvuxVlIGrxyomoNjJYRmwICZOnZ5QK4Sa5uR8hTKQcDrfcGDEsrlcYaPS2hgK4CB7j2wAi_6PfGqCHh-Rm-6CgJpDF2JaVc/s1600/coasting+grey+(2)%2Bresized%2B710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDEWSZGdHw2Y2HfXAUFdBwB48i7W-tGa8xLx1KveSHREkdvuxVlIGrxyomoNjJYRmwICZOnZ5QK4Sa5uR8hTKQcDrfcGDEsrlcYaPS2hgK4CB7j2wAi_6PfGqCHh-Rm-6CgJpDF2JaVc/s1600/coasting+grey+(2)%2Bresized%2B710.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5s3XTlkOhl8D0xJrXfOVnkCpj3J4KTs8XODWBpc8oaF8Ad-VhoWGlMUdeqVH4LMuDCOiRVctban3ID2rDd2oMj-6Zsl9vJc9uba1TYOdPQcHTJJC-g_ZhBdpWpclYoZj1Qbuip3Rc8A/s1600/this+too+shall+pass+resized+710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5s3XTlkOhl8D0xJrXfOVnkCpj3J4KTs8XODWBpc8oaF8Ad-VhoWGlMUdeqVH4LMuDCOiRVctban3ID2rDd2oMj-6Zsl9vJc9uba1TYOdPQcHTJJC-g_ZhBdpWpclYoZj1Qbuip3Rc8A/s1600/this+too+shall+pass+resized+710.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Please feel free to save these images for your own use in
whatever way you wish. I simply ask that you do not alter the images in any
way, and that you leave my small watermark on the bottom of the image.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Again, I sincerely appreciate the continued patience and support from each and every one of you.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Much love,</span></span><br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Rain</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this post, please share!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can also c</b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">onnect with me on</b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/rain_gill" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Depression-Ever-After/1397751940449771?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/109467348606970022188/109467348606970022188/about/p/pub" target="_blank">Google+</a>, and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/rain_gill/depression-ever-after/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!</span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4508793700079726314.post-72754818698217366952014-12-15T07:00:00.000-05:002015-02-18T21:20:50.025-05:00(Unconventional) Ways To Cope With Depression<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlerooFMMxbrmCBLY9_0KJo1iumqX1OHHirsv8bN9cgoQ2q6h9RCAaP92LX0s4lyYyhQXH-MYsO4zZ90mG2BMwEQyQJ51hMf4B2G9iZGRphte2-ZeOZTlBE_eQgE1CIqD_mRiYSXW-nAc/s1600/sunflowers+in+mason+jar+resized+710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlerooFMMxbrmCBLY9_0KJo1iumqX1OHHirsv8bN9cgoQ2q6h9RCAaP92LX0s4lyYyhQXH-MYsO4zZ90mG2BMwEQyQJ51hMf4B2G9iZGRphte2-ZeOZTlBE_eQgE1CIqD_mRiYSXW-nAc/s1600/sunflowers+in+mason+jar+resized+710.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/54159370@N08/7593586158/in/photolist-cz27Bh-os4Hjw-k5wCw-fx77YJ-2zpg4J-8qttV9-6tLevR-9thogE-ejWMyW-oh9oYh-3cUeEP-othm5f-gU264-NwEqe-ouCGYt-f64Jeb-nWEQ9M-ocGs3J-ohMSFS-fDxjgM-oe1DeM-8i97h5-bWbDKu-o4oDg4-4oH3LN-deNDam-nLyutV-ovG4gw-o4pRA5-oto9gq-6HZryV-jXmwS-9WAJC2-f8SW2x-oC3o3B-ovUjsk-ouPwLY-ofWRx5-oYJMSY-aSHhN6-fmefpp-72r9oG-oGA2Jq-ddTg3U-fgJVmT-2X7hjh-8E7JiP-aqApSP-fjM9Q2-gqyUTR" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" target="_blank">Photo by keeva999 via Flickr</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are
a lot of people out there offering advice on how to cope with Depression. With
all of the different techniques that you can try to relieve the symptoms of
your Depression, how do you decide which ones to use?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The coping
techniques that you should use are the ones that work for you. Kind of a
no-brainer, right? What I mean is that just as each of our Depression
experiences are unique, so too are the coping techniques that will work for us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
majority of the advice out there pertaining to coping with Depression includes
things like eating healthy, exercising, sleeping well, and using relaxation and
meditation techniques. In all honesty, when I was in the midst of one of my
darkest episodes of Depression, none of the standard advice was helpful (or
even do-able). Exercise, eat right, and sleep regularly? Yeah, right! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now I’m
not saying that this is bad advice. Some of the advice out there is great, and
maybe it works for some people. But for me, it was as if the people giving this
advice didn’t understand that when you’re spiralling out of control into a
deep, dark place (called Depression), you can’t do any of the things that will
make you happy. </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, here’s
what I did: I did what I felt would make me feel better. I didn’t force myself
to do the things that I was “supposed” to do to feel better. I did what I
wanted to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is my
go-to list of coping techniques that helped me through some severe episodes of
Depression:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -1.0cm;">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">1. Cry</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">2. Sleep</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">3. Eat comfort food</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">4. Watch Sex and the City re-runs (or Dexter, or
Family Guy…)</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">5. Find yourself a helpful mantra or affirmation
(mine is THIS TOO SHALL PASS)</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<u1:p></u1:p><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">6. Hug or pet your cat
(or dog, or bird, or snake…)</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">7. If you don’t have a pet, get yourself a nice
blankie (I have about 7)</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">8. Reach out to someone</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">9. </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: ""","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Be kind to yourself</span></i></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">10. Write</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I did (and still do) all
of these things. Yes, sometimes they only offer a second or two of relief,
but it's enough to break up the constant pain and misery of being Depressed.
These things work for me, and I hope they work for you too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What are
some of your coping techniques?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Don’t
forget that someone you may know may be suffering from Depression or Mental
Illness in silence. Share this post throughout your social media networks,
because you just never know who may need to see it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Much love,</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rain</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this post, please share!</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can also c</b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">onnect with me on</b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/rain_gill" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Depression-Ever-After/1397751940449771?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/109467348606970022188/109467348606970022188/about/p/pub" target="_blank">Google+</a>, and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/rain_gill/depression-ever-after/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!</span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Related Posts:<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2015/01/expressive-therapeutic-writing-16-tips.html" target="_blank">Expressive Therapeutic Writing: 16 Tips For Beginners (Free Download)</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/11/top-3-expressive-therapeutic-writing.html" target="_blank">Top 3 Expressive Therapeutic Writing Tips</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/11/expressive-therapeutic-writing.html" target="_blank">Expressive Therapeutic Writing</a></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4508793700079726314.post-24675535436248657552014-11-25T18:21:00.000-05:002015-02-18T21:21:24.467-05:00Top 3 Expressive Therapeutic Writing Tips<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37Fevw_WI7TxLAR3bNfcYgZSkk5Z3ccEU6u_5EJT_PlZStufu8snFqC9HPPhJ_c5195eWlcDa0G6RZhzoTbWqqurUx89Xo5uf95Unda1CX3rsfpRrwYDOdTuxPkFozboHpYvRM7Z-x_Y/s1600/write+everywhere+resized+710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37Fevw_WI7TxLAR3bNfcYgZSkk5Z3ccEU6u_5EJT_PlZStufu8snFqC9HPPhJ_c5195eWlcDa0G6RZhzoTbWqqurUx89Xo5uf95Unda1CX3rsfpRrwYDOdTuxPkFozboHpYvRM7Z-x_Y/s1600/write+everywhere+resized+710.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/juliejordanscott/8566567055/in/photolist-e3ZTVZ-4XHxa2-4W8Vru-9KyKpy-6wnx18-4BCv4b-o4idLC-5X3dDu-dv48Sj-MsEzC-4zDNo1-dRf691-99MDa4-8K1KNq-ehKcRP-avr3kq-Psqwt-bV1XhN-68rY6h-4LWCTh-aNatn2-5QMGtN-7UUuE2-dD4RiQ-nGVPhH-bWarUe-a26Gfz-9aEA8z-9W3RFv-6wzEtq-fNhXBN-9ps3VM-8U1Yqj-eisAfm-6tUHTs-qa7N2H-oAPbJj-aYCQRc-jU6jq-5ERUT5-7gQqWj-7uT7hi-2WULc7-av72nK-ecLjVK-4Tx2HV-5VxsMi-HhVD4-788m9-4hsWvU" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" target="_blank">Photo by Julie Jordan Scott via Flickr</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In my last post, I gave you a taste of the history and benefits of
<a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/11/expressive-therapeutic-writing.html" target="_blank">Expressive Therapeutic Writing</a>. My hope is that those of you who read
that post have developed an interest in writing, and perhaps you may be
wondering how to get started. Lucky for you, I am extremely passionate about writing
and am sort of a self-proclaimed expert.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Many writers talk about needing to be inspired to write. Well, so
do I. But my inspiration is slightly different than the average writer’s. My
inspiration comes from within. When it comes to Expressive Therapeutic Writing,
what inspires me is the need to express myself. Whether it's good, bad, or
ugly, I can tell when I need to write. No matter what it is that I am feeling,
writing offers me an outlet to express that feeling. This has proven to be very
calming for me, and when I am calm, I can deal with whatever is on my mind.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Writing can give you a sense of relief, it can clear your head, it
can give you a voice, and it can help you understand. Whatever your reason for
wanting to write, I know that you have the potential to benefit from it. So,
how can you tap into these benefits?</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is a list of my top 3 writing tips (in no particular order):</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">1.
Write now!</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">As soon as you have the urge to write, do it!
Keep a journal or notebook beside your bed, in the living room, in your desk at
work, and anywhere you spend a lot of time. That way, as soon as you need to
get a thought out of your head, you can do so with ease.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2.
Write often.</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">On that note, make sure you write on a regular
basis. If you let your emotions build up without releasing them, you will run
the risk of hampering your creativity. With all of those thoughts milling about
in your head, you are bound to feel confused and lose your desire to write.
But, if you write regularly, you will avoid that buildup all together.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">3.
Write freely.</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-variant: small-caps;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: justify;">Don't worry about spelling and grammar (yet)! If you are writing
for yourself, then spelling and grammar and all that fun stuff isn't necessary.
If you plan to pursue publishing your writing, then this is a step that will
come much later. Unless you plan to use your very first draft as your final
manuscript, then don't worry about it!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For even more tips, stay tuned for my free download (coming soon)!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What are your top tips for Expressive Therapeutic Writing? I would
love to hear about them!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Please comment on this post and spread the word!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Much love,</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Rain</b></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this post, please share!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can also c</b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">onnect with me on</b></span><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Related Posts: </b><a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2015/01/expressive-therapeutic-writing-16-tips.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Expressive Therapeutic Writing: 16 Tips For Beginners (Free Download)</a>, <a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/12/ways-to-cope-with-Depression.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">(Unconventional) Ways To Cope With Depression</a>, <a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/11/expressive-therapeutic-writing.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Expressive Therapeutic Writing</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4508793700079726314.post-88682579396183503242014-11-08T17:45:00.000-05:002015-02-18T21:23:06.299-05:00Expressive Therapeutic Writing<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When
I began writing poetry, I had no intention of ever sharing my work. It was for
my eyes only. Writing was my therapy when I couldn’t find the help I needed,
and nothing I did seemed to work. Recently, I began to wonder about the science
behind it. Why has something as simple as writing been such an essential outlet
for me during my darkest hours? Is writing something that might be as useful to
others as it was to me? </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrrwTOWPkP1PCbCv50JsBP2fHzXipBcoSOQ8WwNNJL_KqDrCJ0bLAe4YzyW8QAglrM8Ww4FL2B87WvMTW1fyjKWd_zJRVoamqtHTsh4OYrkCLycPLKwXvg_pifS1GEBMkuM2eRv1jvyo/s1600/writing+heals+and+keeps+me+sane+resized+710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrrwTOWPkP1PCbCv50JsBP2fHzXipBcoSOQ8WwNNJL_KqDrCJ0bLAe4YzyW8QAglrM8Ww4FL2B87WvMTW1fyjKWd_zJRVoamqtHTsh4OYrkCLycPLKwXvg_pifS1GEBMkuM2eRv1jvyo/s1600/writing+heals+and+keeps+me+sane+resized+710.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsdkrebs/7989674100/in/photolist-9bgigX-7hY8Sp-5gkbti-23LUGt-db2aKJ-sTQ6m-6c8BaF-risk3-eBi1ni-K4so7-2bvY2T-6dz5kg-4EoyQv-4g8PTX-4tbcXt-fjJZQT-6int3M-sj4t8-6dEhbu-5eFJQt-G1SQL-o713u-4B8hPR-a3wnX-5fpR4y-6ajgze-4PAY7Q-3UaPY6-8YaWba-d7diQf-2oejd-5ZxV76-4jThiD-f1Z8b-7cmC3d-3L9AD-byN9kn-byN792-9c5tbD-8dJBzB-6qNWzU-rXRu-9MuMyr-5qsrF9-8G2xij-auPuw5-8Jkhjr-5meDVG-pDzpFh-6n4cDA/" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" target="_blank">Photo by Denise Krebs via Flickr</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In an
effort to satisfy my curiosity, I have done quite a bit of research on this topic.
I would like to share some of this research in order to encourage others to give it a shot.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">While
terms such as “expressive writing,” “journalling,” “writing therapy,” and
“therapeutic writing” are often used inter-changeably, I have chosen to use the
term “Expressive Therapeutic Writing”. <o:p></o:p></span>For me, Expressive Therapeutic Writing involves using the written word, in any form, to relieve the negative symptoms that you are experiencing. This could mean pouring your feelings into poetry, writing short stories with an uncanny resemblance to your life, or recording your thoughts and feelings in a journal. In my opinion, Expressive Therapeutic Writing is much like Depression: it looks and acts differently for everyone.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Many
people who write on this topic credit James Pennebaker for pioneering the study of Expressive Therapeutic Writing. He stated that "when people transform their feelings
and thoughts about personally upsetting experiences into language, their
physical and mental health often improves"
(</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/HomePage/Faculty/Pennebaker/Reprints/Pennebaker&Chung_FriedmanChapter.pdf" target="_blank">source</a></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-no-proof: yes;">). </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In other words, when you can put into words, or onto paper, whatever it
is that is troubling you, you will usually experience a relief from symptoms.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So,
how does this work? Well, like most scientific inquiries, there is no
conclusive answer. While researchers don’t know exactly why it helps, they do
know that it is likely a combination of many different theories and factors. In
my experience, and as far as science can tell, putting confusing or troubling
thoughts into words (and onto paper) can help you make sense of a situation,
identify what might be causing you distress, and define what you need and want
to find relief (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="http://apt.rcpsych.org/content/11/5/338.full.pdf+html" target="_blank">source</a></span>).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For
example, I often find myself feeling troubled without really knowing why. It is
almost always helpful for me to write down my thoughts, step away, and then
re-visit what I have written to try and find out what is troubling me. I might
not be able to figure it all out right away, but writing it all down usually
gets me on the right track. I also find that writing is very cathartic. While
most research debates this, I know that it is a relief for me to take all the negative
shit out of my head and put into onto paper. It’s almost like I’m taking out
the trash, only mentally.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Long
story short, the research doesn’t have much to say about why writing has been
such an outlet for me. It does, however, reassure me that the benefits that I
experience from writing are real. They aren’t imagined, and they don’t live in
my head. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />The
beauty of Expressive Therapeutic Writing is that it doesn’t need to make sense.
There doesn’t need to be theories and explanations behind it. It works for me,
and that’s enough. I hope it can work for you too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are some other great resources on the topic of Expressive Therapeutic Writing:</span><br />
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/write-yourself-well/201208/expressive-writing" target="_blank">Write Yourself Well
(Psychology Today)</a></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/HomePage/Faculty/Pennebaker/Reprints/Pennebaker&Chung_FriedmanChapter.pdf" target="_blank">Expressive Writing: Connections to Physical and Mental Health (James W.</a> </span><a href="http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/HomePage/Faculty/Pennebaker/Reprints/Pennebaker&Chung_FriedmanChapter.pdf" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"> Pennebaker and Cindy K. Chung)</a></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://apt.rcpsych.org/content/11/5/338.full.pdf+html" target="_blank">Emotional and Physical
Health Benefits of Expressive Writing (Karen A. Baikie and Kay Wilhelm)</a></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.write-as-rain.co.uk/Blog/expressive-writing-tips-and-exercises.html" target="_blank">Write as Rain, Written Word
Therapy Blog</a></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.journaltherapy.com/" target="_blank">Centre for Journal Therapy (Kay Adams)</a></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.poetrytherapy.org/" target="_blank">National Association for Poetry Therapy</a></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://ifbpt.org/" target="_blank">International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy</a></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Did you find this interesting or helpful? I would love to get your feedback! Comment on this post, and share with your friends!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wondering how you can tap into the benefits of Expressive Therapeutic Writing? Stay tuned for my next blog post, “<a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/11/top-3-expressive-therapeutic-writing.html" target="_blank">Top 3 Expressive Therapeutic Writing Tips</a>”!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Much love,</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Rain</span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">If you
enjoyed this post, please share!</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">You can also
connect with me on</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/rain_gill" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Depression-Ever-After/1397751940449771?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/109467348606970022188/109467348606970022188/about/p/pub" target="_blank">Google+</a>, and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/rain_gill/depression-ever-after/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Related Posts: </b><a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2015/01/expressive-therapeutic-writing-16-tips.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Expressive Therapeutic Writing: 16 Tips For Beginners (Free Download)</a>, <a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/12/ways-to-cope-with-Depression.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">(Unconventional) Ways To Cope With Depression</a>, <a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/11/top-3-expressive-therapeutic-writing.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Top 3 Expressive Therapeutic Writing Tips</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4508793700079726314.post-78677089618592028862014-10-30T16:19:00.001-04:002015-02-18T21:23:26.228-05:00Confessions of a Hypocrite<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have to confess something. And it’s not easy for me to do. But,
here goes nothing.<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I have
never engaged in regular therapy or counselling.</i></span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdb0YuBUB90C5gUjYCnKF0kHwe7uTnH6gnRZCcR_58DMnssGoO0VU8iSZ8_MmB69e9sQwSpdV83cOi0QDhAzVH8n0MXAvIyWMKmJSnlIfYeQM74Owt2ld_vk9DMq9qWKaYzvRbJrJfIQ/s1600/shame+resized+710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdb0YuBUB90C5gUjYCnKF0kHwe7uTnH6gnRZCcR_58DMnssGoO0VU8iSZ8_MmB69e9sQwSpdV83cOi0QDhAzVH8n0MXAvIyWMKmJSnlIfYeQM74Owt2ld_vk9DMq9qWKaYzvRbJrJfIQ/s1600/shame+resized+710.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/128431605@N05/15458549691/" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" target="_blank">Photo by John Hain via Flickr</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">There, I said it. It’s out there. Feel free to judge me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">I did connect with a counsellor over the phone once, through
my dad’s EAP benefits. I was young and terrified. I was confused about what was
going on inside my head. And this woman was awful. She minimized my concerns
and silenced my voice. Needless to say, I didn’t call again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About a year later (I think), I connected with another
counsellor in my hometown. She was nice. I met with her 3 or 4 times. She
helped me come to a few realizations. Then, for whatever reason, I stopped
going. At the time, I probably blamed it on my busy schedule. I was in school
and working a meaningless job, both full time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If I were you, I would be questioning me. My credibility. My
stability. My expertise. Who the hell am I to tell you, or anyone, about
Depression? About therapy and counselling? About how to cope? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I don’t
really know why I’ve never gotten help.</i></span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have I been afraid of what I might find? Have I been afraid
to look at myself? Have I been afraid or unwilling to do the work to get
better? Have I been skeptical of the potential benefits of therapy? For fuck
sakes, I went to school to become a counsellor and practically dedicated my
life to the profession. And I haven’t even done the work myself. How can I sit
here and tell other people what it’s like and what they should do to help
themselves? I’m a fucking hypocrite. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe I just never thought I deserved to get help. I always
had a sneaking suspicion that all of the pain and misery I lived with every
single day was deserved. I used to joke that I must have been Hitler in a past
life to deserve this suffering. With that in mind, maybe I just thought this
was my burden to bear. I thought I wasn’t worthy of wellness and happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think it’s time. I think it’s time that I break down this
last bit of the wall that I was holding onto for dear life. It’s time to allow
myself to access the means to get better. It’s time to get help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first step will be getting my blood work done, and
following up on the results with my new Family Doctor. Then, incorporating some
supplements into my diet (like iron and vitamin D). Then… finding a therapist.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">It’s time for a new adventure. And fuck, I’m scared. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">What have been your experiences with therapy or counselling? Share and comment below.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Much love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>Rain</b></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this post, please share!</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can also c</b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">onnect with me on</b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/rain_gill" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Depression-Ever-After/1397751940449771?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/109467348606970022188/109467348606970022188/about/p/pub" target="_blank">Google+</a>, and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/rain_gill/depression-ever-after/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4508793700079726314.post-26744313010805281162014-09-16T00:09:00.004-04:002015-02-18T21:24:01.211-05:00Depression Is Not Being Able To Let Shit Go<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">If you search “Depression” on
Google, I can guarantee that the majority of the search results will have<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>something to do with the question
“what is Depression?” This seems silly to me, as Depression does not<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>look or feel the same for any two
people. And even if it was the same for everyone, what would defining<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Depression do for us? Would it help
non-Depressed people understand us? Would it help clinicians<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>diagnose us? Would it offer us any
kind of relief? I don’t think so.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span><br />
<br />
***That’s not to say that I don’t
believe in the value of diagnosis. In fact, being diagnosed with<span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Depression (even by a shitty almost
retired family doctor who didn’t care about my suicidal ideation)</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">gave me an incredible sense of relief
and hope for my future.***</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">If I had to define Depression, I
would likely get overwhelmed and have a panic attack. I simply could not<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>do it. For me, Depression is different
every day. Every minute, even. But I can tell you about the bits and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>pieces that make up my Depression.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLsJcBHd81tx0I4WVRP7Nr_7pzzQe0TeRMrRkpj-Lv0WQrirWsldy2gwjSIBXN4nRJZ89wsV1KtCBsp8m_klCEoPyPv_mP5FXqsugjZJZITsejvfdR0jktvMMsiRjDWBl7LMK2XM2j0M/s1600/let+it+go+2+resized+710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLsJcBHd81tx0I4WVRP7Nr_7pzzQe0TeRMrRkpj-Lv0WQrirWsldy2gwjSIBXN4nRJZ89wsV1KtCBsp8m_klCEoPyPv_mP5FXqsugjZJZITsejvfdR0jktvMMsiRjDWBl7LMK2XM2j0M/s1600/let+it+go+2+resized+710.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/deeplifequotes/9830483863/in/photolist-oig6Kw-gsXvkx-h4m5mH-gStxEe-fJTCVa-oKcKFR-i6fd1L-jgYY9a-jWiW2P-f6JEGH-dsNXGv-mP59Rv-fYFNn6-bGstwD-btxBGf-k8B6oz-7eYASe-fDx7rd-ocngng-owmmbx-aC91aq-xXPU-eFGqU6-gJ4Ha2-grySCq-j4CVYR-m8Pear-fpmihU-fduSvb-fYYBYM-naXLJy-jNvMPS-hXkNQk-kR25x2-o2XqHX-g8q8ef-fYFgCw-c7rTzm-8c9bem-kGV1cP-6j1Fee-gb8fzU-nXnXs2-hdK5yu-7GK81t-5xAuFd-h6oPzd-hRk75w-kiDuhM-fYFNjv" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" target="_blank">Photo by Live Life Happy via Flickr</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">One of the biggest (and often times
worst) component of my Depression is not being able to let shit go. I am the Queen of obsessing over something</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">that happened or that I did, to the point of insanity. I’m
talking being completely consumed by it. For example, I had an</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">unfortunate misunderstanding with my
landlords a few years ago, which resulted in me (and my partner</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">at the time) being forced to make a
midnight move. Now, for most people, this</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">would
definitely be a shitty situation, and would undoubtedly cause some significant
stress, anxiety, etc.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But for me, this event sent me
spiralling into a nose dive. After enduring the actual ordeal of moving in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the middle of the night, I should have
re-grouped within a few days. I just couldn’t. I couldn’t move on.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I thought about it all day, every day.
I didn’t eat or sleep. I could barely leave the house. I was terrified<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to run into the landlords in the
hallway. I had multiple panic attacks every day. And there was just<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>no reason for it. It was crippling,
debilitating. It almost resembled paranoia. I was paranoid that the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>landlords hated me and were out to get
me. I was paranoid that I would see them in the hall and they<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>would yell at me. It‘s funny how
anxiety and paranoia seem to mimic each other.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">(Note: This was also before I was
diagnosed and began taking <a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/09/my-view-on-medications-for-depression.html" target="_blank">medication</a>.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I don’t remember how I finally<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>overcame it. In time, I suppose, I
simply slipped back into my old, regularly Depressed self. However,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>even now, with having my diagnosis and
taking my med</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ications </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">as prescribed, I still experience this. It can be
devastating. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I don't know if this is an issue
that is unique to me and my Depression, or if other people experience this as
well. But it is definitely a huge part of my struggle with Depression.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What is Depression for you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Keep reading to find out more about
the bits and pieces that make up my Depression. Share and comment below.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Much love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>Rain</b></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this post, please share!</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can also c</b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">onnect with me on</b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/rain_gill" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Depression-Ever-After/1397751940449771?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/109467348606970022188/109467348606970022188/about/p/pub" target="_blank">Google+</a>, and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/rain_gill/depression-ever-after/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4508793700079726314.post-47701668514999358992014-09-03T14:35:00.002-04:002015-02-18T21:24:23.256-05:00My View On Medications (For Depression)<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
Some people say “I don’t believe
in medication.” That is a ridiculous statement, because medication exists,
regardless if you believe in their proposed benefits/effects. But that’s just
me being a technical word snob.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This post is not meant to demean
anyone or their opinion on the subject, and it is not endorsed or sponsored by
any type of pharmaceutical company. This is about my personal opinion of the
proposed benefits of medication for mentally ill individuals. Ugh, I hate that
term, “mentally ill.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But, I digress.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For now, let me focus on
anti-depressants. It’s what I know personally.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWYrIOrSQLHakpC705ERVgNNgAQ5rfcLr8NRMMLG4Hj_Sv48Cwuqpk4f3RO78jM4_-sTBiiNi1yfjDYwe5JmRpGQ4kgPIWYciJNYOYwYrPY0kmL377DS90fiyeWAVfDto4Ayr1QxKme8/s1600/pills+resized+710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWYrIOrSQLHakpC705ERVgNNgAQ5rfcLr8NRMMLG4Hj_Sv48Cwuqpk4f3RO78jM4_-sTBiiNi1yfjDYwe5JmRpGQ4kgPIWYciJNYOYwYrPY0kmL377DS90fiyeWAVfDto4Ayr1QxKme8/s1600/pills+resized+710.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/emagineart/4742089272/" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" target="_blank">Photo by e-Magine Art via Flickr</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are some people out there
who truly believe that anti-depressants are not necessary, or they act as a
placebo, or they give people a “crutch”. While I won’t speak for anyone else, I
can tell you in all honesty that anti-depressants saved my life. Not in the
sense that they stopped me from committing suicide (because I don’t know if I
ever really wanted to or would have gone through with it if I did want to), but
because they allowed me to live my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let me give you some context
here. When I was 14 years old, I realized that something was wrong. All of my
friends at school seemed like happy, normal people (which I later learned was
not necessarily true). And then there was me. I never smiled or laughed,
because I had no reason to. I was cynical, pessimistic. I was also really sad,
all the time. Now, this wasn’t just your run of the mill teenage angst. I was
extremely sad, all the time. I had no energy. All I wanted to do was sleep. I
used to drag myself out of bed in the morning, get ready, and walk halfway to
school, to my friend Dan’s house. At first, I would try to wake him up to go to
school. Then I just stopped trying, and would crawl into bed with him to sleep
the day away (don’t worry, he’s gay).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This was also one of my first
experiences with the all-encompassing <a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/09/depression-is-not-being-able-to-let.html" target="_blank">obsession over something small</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was dating my first boyfriend,
my first love, and he lived an hour away. This was my first taste of the
dating world, and I quickly realized that there was more than one guy I liked.
I had been talking and flirting with another guy, and I felt awful. When I
couldn’t take the guilt anymore, I told my boyfriend about it. Naturally, he
was upset, and wanted his space. Now, from what I have learned, this should
have been something that a normal teenage girl would have been upset about,
sure, but not to the extent that I was. I was living in a black hole. It was
all I could think about, all I could talk about. I couldn’t eat, or sleep, or
go to school. My only comfort was sleeping in my parents’ bed, reading old
horse magazines to distract myself. I couldn’t be alone during the day, so my
mother took me to my grandparents’ house. This was clearly not healthy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">These anomalies developed into
patterns. At first, I thought it might be seasonal Depression (more on this
later). I seemed to be alright from late summer, through the fall, and through
the winter. But, when spring came around, I spiralled, big time. So, I thought,
I get depressed in the spring. I began to wonder if I was getting depressed in
the spring because that’s when my first episode happened. Weird, but I could
live with that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After a few years, it became
evident that it wasn’t just during the spring. It was all the time. Every
minute of every day, I was sad. I couldn’t cope with even minor negative
events. My doctor and my mom suggested taking Vitamin D supplements. I didn’t
notice a difference. My mom suggested I get some sunshine, so I forced myself
to sit outside and cry in the sun. No difference. I spoke to my doctor
countless times, and each time he told me to take Vitamin D. Finally, I stopped
trying. I figured I would just have to live with this demon. But how could I? I
wasn’t really living. I was simply existing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Finally, years later, after (or
was it during?) a particularly awful breakup, I went to see my doctor. I told
him, yet again, what my symptoms were, and he advised me, yet again, to try
taking Vitamin D. That’s when I broke down. I was sobbing uncontrollably. I
couldn’t believe that he still didn’t take me seriously, or just didn’t care.
At last, I was able to compose myself enough to tell him that if I ended up
dead, it would be my blood on his hands. Finally, he agreed that I might be
suffering from Depression, and agreed to prescribe me an anti-depressant. It
saved my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Within a month, I was seeing
improvements. Contrary to popular belief, the anti-depressants didn’t turn me
into a zombie, and they weren’t simply “happy pills.” They allowed me to cope
with everyday living. They allowed me to feel the sunshine again. They allowed
me to feel at peace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, for those of you out there
who don’t “believe” in medications that address mental health concerns, how
else would you explain all of this?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What's your opinion of medications for Depression? Share and comment below.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Much love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>Rain</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this post, please share!</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can also c</b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">onnect with me on</b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4508793700079726314.post-90849084427091650942014-08-18T11:40:00.001-04:002015-02-18T21:24:55.756-05:00When Depression Feels Like Drowning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru9vLPpdCQ_dy8w_eme6de7ldb26JUWb683wlS8brVYBBsI8Y6O3UA6JF7Gv4fFxP4U_pjQ94LN4dj8grtwJ9v7Gjjp_ctHChvUdxvBtDQn3gZDN7egylfZtzR0pa5KUd0fYJwNakZJs/s1600/drowning+black+and+white+resized+710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru9vLPpdCQ_dy8w_eme6de7ldb26JUWb683wlS8brVYBBsI8Y6O3UA6JF7Gv4fFxP4U_pjQ94LN4dj8grtwJ9v7Gjjp_ctHChvUdxvBtDQn3gZDN7egylfZtzR0pa5KUd0fYJwNakZJs/s1600/drowning+black+and+white+resized+710.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">source unknown</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes, as someone who is extremely
sensitive to pain and suffering, I find an image that I can’t let go of, no
matter what I do. This is one of those images.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I came across this image while doing
some research for the redesigning of the title page for “<a href="http://www.blurb.ca/b/4584269-and-the-lilies-fall-still" target="_blank">and the lilies fall still</a>”. This is simply a woman who is just below the surface of water, with the bright
sky and clouds swirling above her. I can only imagine the events leading up
to and following the capture of this image, and I assume that this varies from
person to person. The way I relate to and interpret this image is that this
woman has fallen into a blue abyss. She doesn’t struggle or fight to break the
surface. She simply accepts her place. She can see the sky through the clear blue
water, the brightness, the possibilities, and the life she could have. But she doesn’t
reach for it. She accepts her existence in the blue abyss, and waits for the
day when she can finally breathe again.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For me, this image is Depression. This
is how it felt for me. It was as if I could see the possibility of living a
happy life, and all I had to do was break the surface of that water. But I
didn’t. I don’t want to say that I couldn’t, because I don’t think that I
tried. And people judged me, and blamed me for not trying. It wasn’t that I
couldn’t break the surface; it was that I couldn’t try.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It took all of my strength, in fact it
took more strength than I thought I had, just to get up every day, go to
school, go to work, and crawl back in to bed. It was a living hell. They were right, I wasn't trying. But they didn't understand that I couldn't. I wanted to, I really did. I just couldn't.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, to end on a positive note, that
was several years ago. Thanks to modern medicine and a select few people in my
life, I now have the strength to try. And that’s all that I needed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What does Depression feel like for you? Share and comment below.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Much love,</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rain</span></b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this post, please share!</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can also c</b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">onnect with me on</b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/rain_gill" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Depression-Ever-After/1397751940449771?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/109467348606970022188/109467348606970022188/about/p/pub" target="_blank">Google+</a>, and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/rain_gill/depression-ever-after/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4508793700079726314.post-23278844997045773202014-08-05T13:19:00.000-04:002015-02-18T21:25:24.817-05:00Why I Share My Depression Story<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Often people ask me why I share my experiences with Depression.
There is still so much stigma around mental illness that people are shocked
when I willingly and freely discuss my own experiences with it. They assume
that I am ashamed of it, and that I should hide it away from the world. I
disagree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was going through the darker
times in my life, I felt alone. On top of dealing with the actual Depression, I
lived with the belief that there was something wrong with me, and that everyone
else was “normal”. It was a crushing, lonely feeling. Now I know that Depression is extremely common, and that there are many others out there like
me. My hope is to reach even one person who finds comfort in knowing that they
aren’t alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even with all of the facts, the media
ads, and the movements to end the stigma of mental illness, people still
ostracize and shun those of us living with mental illness. I still can’t figure out
why. Is it because they don’t understand mental illness? Is it because they have
never experienced it? Is it because they’re afraid they will catch it like a
virus?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I came across a picture the other day
that really hit home with me. What if we treated people with physical illness
in the same way that we treated people with mental illness?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Take a look:</span><br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSUCRckeDMqA5avnZBADppED2jGYc1EB9z1P2l49FqYS9bZJrHmAlcLmXjtRVSUV3HKDNsxPLEBn5Qs7r9D1_SMNtTUQO8rvJVxYZbcaRr3x5fkLp4fYz58WNep0LxHCPmHHfgAyietY/s1600/mental+illness+as+physical+illness+resized+710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSUCRckeDMqA5avnZBADppED2jGYc1EB9z1P2l49FqYS9bZJrHmAlcLmXjtRVSUV3HKDNsxPLEBn5Qs7r9D1_SMNtTUQO8rvJVxYZbcaRr3x5fkLp4fYz58WNep0LxHCPmHHfgAyietY/s1600/mental+illness+as+physical+illness+resized+710.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://imgur.com/CWFTYoV" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" target="_blank">Photo via Imgur</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">How ridiculous is this? The sad thing is, it’s true. Mental
illness needs to be taken more seriously. We can’t keep living in a world that
ignores mental illness. The first, and most important step, is to educate
yourself. Chances are, if you haven’t experienced mental illness, then you know
nothing about it. There are tons of resources online that will give you an idea
about what mental illness is, what causes it, and what it looks like. The next
step is to just keep an open mind.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sometimes, someone living with mental illness is no different from
you than someone who has a different skin colour, or speaks a different
language. Would you treat them the same way that you treat someone with mental
illness? Likely not.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I share my Depression story in order to educate others, to give hope to those like me, and to give a voice to those who haven't yet found their own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Much love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>Rain</b></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this post, please share!</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can also c</b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">onnect with me on</b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/rain_gill" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Depression-Ever-After/1397751940449771?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/109467348606970022188/109467348606970022188/about/p/pub" target="_blank">Google+</a>, and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/rain_gill/depression-ever-after/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4508793700079726314.post-43300475074766071852014-07-21T16:45:00.001-04:002015-02-18T21:25:43.306-05:00Welcome!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBNLu2627spVr0FgPYWsjLjsol7LM7Zb6ypHQh7P10VUUCLg_zjhhcHbctvhAt8IUonXxp9lN3c5z7FYn4Djza7Ia-lsV3ptcoBjJPa8hMCOXp_u5n53z2xoAEYdK7_TFaugLA7ZTim4/s1600/welcome+resized+710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBNLu2627spVr0FgPYWsjLjsol7LM7Zb6ypHQh7P10VUUCLg_zjhhcHbctvhAt8IUonXxp9lN3c5z7FYn4Djza7Ia-lsV3ptcoBjJPa8hMCOXp_u5n53z2xoAEYdK7_TFaugLA7ZTim4/s1600/welcome+resized+710.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/90371939@N00/4344878104/in/photolist-7BWCTs-8aSZNv-fn8wKC-q4qg6e-96UofT-HHgKu-mYBeL5-JR521-pS1uqe-iw2UAZ-6eut4-6sAjHu-bxiw8j-5mkkM4-6pAnZm-jEJksL-9g57do-899eAs-6AaHGv-dWPtdw-grgEhC-kYu8Lb-6FuphR-owYRFf-4QS7Te-8tRr4Z-chFCHN-7CpQZS-n6skNm-4yFqsK-i1YMrN-pp7w5C-ofF7FY-eDDNiF-idf8VZ-5QwDy2-6ZWyoM-pNMMtd-p7ZZTJ-5os6M5-7zu2AL-mVXMzV-fgq44M-4g1FnW-4kirhL-c3vzES-6868z4-9fWyUd-7pvWsb-hiwiDa/lightbox/" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" target="_blank">Photo by Nathan via Flickr</a></td></tr>
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<b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and thanks for visiting my blog!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't want to bore everyone with a long winded, rambling first blog post (there will be plenty of those in the future) so I will attempt to keep this one short and sweet. This is my first serious attempt at public blogging, so please be gentle and patient with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So who the hell am I and why should you read my blog?</span></b></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have decided to start this blog in order to share my Depression story. I have been living with Depression since I was 14 years old. I have experienced excruciating lows, panic attacks, never-ending anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and plenty of the other fun symptoms of Depression. But, I have also experienced relief from these hellish ordeals. I am currently quite stable and in a good place, where I am able to think back on my experiences so far without being triggered. I want to take this opportunity to share my experience with others, both good and bad. If you are living with Depression or any other mental illness, you should read my blog to find resources, anecdotes, coping strategies, and much more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">OK, great, so what is this blog REALLY about?</span></b></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This blog is about Depression for the most part, but also mental illness and recovery in general. In addition to being a mental health "consumer", I also work in the field. This presents me with many opportunities to learn, to change my ways of thinking, and to develop opinions about controversial and non-controversial topics. This blog is about my personal and professional experiences and thoughts regarding Depression and mental health.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh, I get it. So who is this blog for?</span></b></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This blog is for anyone living with or without Depression or any other mental
illness. This blog is for anyone who has ever felt unable to cope. This blog is for me, 2 years ago. This blog is for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why on Earth are you sharing such a personal experience with strangers?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My goal for this blog is to share my Depression story with the world, in hopes of motivating,
de-isolating, comforting, educating, and making people laugh. I am not looking for fame or fortune. During the lowest points of my Depression, all I ever wanted was a break from it all, even if it was only for 10 seconds. I never got that break. If I can do that for one person, and ease their pain, if only for a moment, then I will have achieved my goal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Again, welcome, and thank you for visiting my blog! Please feel free to explore, and don't hesitate to <a href="http://depressioneverafter.blogspot.ca/p/contact-me_4.html" target="_blank">contact me</a> any time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Much love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>Rain</b></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoyed this post, please share!</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can also c</b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">onnect with me on</b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/rain_gill" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Depression-Ever-After/1397751940449771?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/109467348606970022188/109467348606970022188/about/p/pub" target="_blank">Google+</a>, and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/rain_gill/depression-ever-after/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11811564074194915345noreply@blogger.com0