Hi I typed into the great www looking for a forum regarding depression and cbt…somehow I ended up here…please feel free to throw me out if I am in the wrong place…!! 

I am looking to talk through a few issues with non judgemental fellow sufferers of depression. I am on medication and have tried to take my life on three occasions.

Previous to this I was a cannabis smoker, an amphetemine user…both of which I can say I have not used in the past two years…but my dependancy changed to alcohol…which proved a bigger demon than the others as it is so readily available   and cheap!!

I attend three groups a week to help with the alcohol issue and I am proud to say I have been dry for three months…however, my need is to find a forum that i can chat on and try and explain or sort out…(dont really know what) my depression.

I can start at the beginning…but is anyone out there to listen?

Hello mate, I was just coming on here as haven’t been on for a while and noticed you’re new.  You’ve come a long way.  Glad you’re proud of yourself.  You should be.  Can I ask if your drug use and alcohol was because of your depression?  Is that kind of self medication to take away the pain of depression or something else?  Don’t want to be nosey.  I am really unhappy in my work and get very down and get tingling in my arms and palpitations.  I drink far too much but try not to drink because when I do, I find it hard to stop.  I get totally smashed and suffer for days afterwards.  In fact I feel much worse for it afterwards but it does take the pain away for a while anyhow.  I think you’ll find that you are in the right place and there are some great people on here who listen and talk and give advice (in a good way).  I find it helpful.  Even if I don’t feel up to writing anything, I often just read some of the posts.  I hope you’re ok at the moment Dave.  You said that you were looking for a site for depression and CBT.  Have you had any therapy for your depression then or are you thinking about it.  My doctor said that I should think about it but I’m scared that it will damage my career as I’m looking to change jobs and worried about the blot of depression on my CV.  Anyway mate, do talk and I look forward to checking in.  I’m up at 5 tomorrow for work so off to bed now but will check in tomorrow.  Will

Is that gosport hampshire with the ferry ? Just wanted to say love what will wrote Xx When I was feeling better to go out I used to get on my pushbike and go down all those cycle routes and loved the beach for all the fresh air and comfort with the tea booth on the beach, I would sit on the beach and look at the Isle of wight Xx Hope you feel better soon HUGS

Dear Dave, thank you for coming on the site and welcome.  My goodness, you have come a long way.  No wonder you are proud of yourself.  I think that it’s really important to acknowledge how far we’ve come to feel empowered to go further.  Everyone loves and thrives on praise.  Self praise is no different and I don’t think we do it often enough.  Can I also ask if your drug and alcohol dependency were as a result of your depression?  Depression often goes hand in hand with the use of abusive substances and eating disorders.  Often we are trying to increase our feel-good hormones with alcohol or food or recreational drugs.  They seem much more appealing, immediate and more fun and comforting at the time than other more productive ways at the time don’t they but in reality, as you discovered, are a fast way down.  Alcohol itself is actually a depressant so whilst in the very short term it can help us to forget some problems it usually lasts only as long as we are feeling a bit merry or drinking the alcohol but immediately aferwards is followed by a low where everything seems even worse and added to that we feel pretty rough physically.  Thus starts the vicious circle of having another drink to make that feeling go away etc.  You know the rest.  When you weigh up the temporary high against the longer term consequences, it can be disastrous.  The danger is that when we are depressed we often don’t care about the long term consequences so the circle can be even more vicious.
The fact that you have sought help is fantastic.  How have you found it?  Have you found the group therapy (AA groups) helpful?  If so there is group therapy for depression too.  The Depression Alliance has groups across the country that you can go along to.
http://www.depressionalliance.org/docs/what_we_offer/self_help_groups.html.  You mention CBT therapy.  Have you had it or are you considering it?
You sound like a very strong and determined character Dave.  Would love to hear from you and about you.  Helen

Helen I like the WE ARE ONE Xx happy birthday and I do feel like we are one together solidarity one as a whole friendship thing with eachother so that we are one family with depressioncanbefun Xx does that make sense ?

Hi Dave, haven’t seen anything from you.  Hope I haven’t missed it.  I was just wondering how you are?  I have been feeling as low as ever but this weekend went to the coast for the weekend and have come back feeling much better for a change.  I hope you are too.  All the best, Will.

I heard on my tapes today that smiling releases endorphins Xx so I smiled and I guess it does Xxx glad to hear you are feeling better Xx which coast did you go to, gosh I do love the sea, was the weather nice ? Chloe Xx

read this
The guardian tuesday 5 Jan 2010 - Mindfulnesss Three minute exercise
mindfulness is described as a way of paying attention to feelings ans emotions so that they can be managed. It involves meditation , yoga and breathing techniques.
’ three minute breathing space’
1. ask yourself what is my experience right now ? and notice any body sensation, thoughts or feelings you are having without judging them.
2. place your attention on your breathing following the in-and-out breath as it naturally occurs.
3. Expand your awareness to the whole of your body continuing to notice any thoughts feelings or physical sensations that occur without judgemant.
Hope this helps :0) xx