It's been almost 2 1/2 years since I checked in to 5 East. What I have learned since then has changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. The morning I went to the ER, I was so tightly up against the wall that I could not see anything except the abyss. At that moment, I was way past circling the drain. And as I have recounted many times, that morning I saw only … [Read more...] about Evergreen – Lessons I’ve Learned From 50 Years of High-Functioning Depression
Archives for October 2021
Today I Am Thankful for Being Alive
It has been a wonderful two weeks. I spent time with my family and recharged my batteries. Having a week to bond with my grandson is something I am so very thankful for. The pandemic has limited our time together. However, since June, I have seen him on three occasions. Each visit was a few days to a week. I feel so blessed to get to spend time in person with him. Of … [Read more...] about Today I Am Thankful for Being Alive
My Unhelpful Thinking Is at It Again
I can’t believe I’m falling for depression’s unhelpful thinking. My work on this has been extensive. I have looked at each of the ten main unhelpful thinking styles in depth. And I have studied how depression uses these to control my actions very subtly, and worse, to control my thoughts. It is clear to me now that I cannot control events. Hurricanes, taxes, annual … [Read more...] about My Unhelpful Thinking Is at It Again
What Will Vacation Feel Like As I Change Medication?
I’m completely off my feed. And I have been since Sunday. It is hard to stay focused on anything other than my almost 16-month-old grandson. The trip up from Virginia included an overnight stop in New Jersey. This was a chance to visit with my son and daughter-in-law. They were warm and very hospitable. Then it was pork roll and egg for breakfast as I headed on to … [Read more...] about What Will Vacation Feel Like As I Change Medication?
With Depression, I Can Do What I Want, Can’t I?
Having control over my attitude towards events is all I can do. But that one thing is extremely powerful. It sent men to the moon after the Soviet Union put Sputnik into space. The US program was still launching high-altitude weather balloons. After Sputnik, the attitude of the country was “we have to do something.” And Kennedy making that promise, in front of the world … [Read more...] about With Depression, I Can Do What I Want, Can’t I?
