Depression

Depression is a bitch. I have had my bouts since sober. For me they have been less and less as I have grown. I hope you find it that way too. A couple of summers ago was the worst (and last, so far thankfully). We do screw up our chemistries when we spend so much time effort and money self-medicating out in the field. (Read: “Drinking”)

I have put faith in the doctors who, yes, do a little crap-shooting, but heck I shot quite a bit of my own crap without a Med degree, so some controlled environment, educated gambling cannot be any worse. I always felt it to be a relief to have someone to help me with it, admitting I have not got all the answers to all the problems.

My own course consisted of three things, without either one would have been harder or impossible: 1) Getting the docs help. The right med as a jumpstart and buffer, to allow me to function. Those meds, as you already know, are not “Happy pills”. They restore normal synaptic-chemical balances and allow your own brain to do its own job.
2) While a semblance of normal functioning was being restored through modern chemistry, I threw myself heavily into working with others directly, one-on-one. AND additionally I got very involved in these Yahoo groups, which I used as one more method to get out of myself on a moments notice whenever I needed.

Sitting on the pity pot can put a ring on your ass, and the longer I sit, the worse the ring. Sometimes I would work in Yahoo groups, moderating and posting for hours of a day, if necessary. Not everyone has that luxury, but some other device for “Getting out of myself” would have worked as well. Maybe just more time working with others. And finally though PRIMARILY,

3) I took very seriously Bill Ws own “Gimmick” to snap his own depression. It worked. It worked. IT WORKED. Have I stressed that point enough. No? Well, IT WORKED. That can be found in his Grapevine article and letter entitled “Emotional Sobriety”. This “gimmick” I attribute as THE ultimate answer to my won depression. The three-punch wallop of EACH together were complimentary, fast acting and were a saving grace. I have posted it in our FILES section in case you have not access to a copy at the moment.

Now I find that working with others and continuing to maintain a health prayer ran inventory life is key. I do a lot of it. And if I ever get back into that depressive state, I can just crank up the works and disinfect my brain. Right now I think that the levels are just right, not meds, but the other tools.

Peace,