*Update December 7, 2021 As I reread my list, I can see where I have made progress and where I still need to work. The reality is I will always need to work on at least one of the 10 unhelpful thinking styles. Living with depression means first acknowledging that I have it. And then quickly I say, “I have depression, depression does not have … [Read more...] about The 10 Things I Just Cannot Do, Part II*
Mental Health
Singing to Music As I Drive Gives Me Too Much Time to Think
I imagine the artists would be flattered to hear I get lost in their music. And in and of itself, that is not a bad thing. But what I have found happening in the past few weeks is a song triggers a memory. The memory is often pleasant, but many times it’s painful. I try to ignore most of these thoughts by singing along. But the memory crowds in and … [Read more...] about Singing to Music As I Drive Gives Me Too Much Time to Think
Even With My Depression, I Am Still Thankful
Lately, I am amazed at how much I must live for. There have been times in my life where this wasn’t true. And times where all I could do was summon enough courage to get through the day. And times where I contemplated what it would be like to no longer have to push that same rock up the same hill. I find myself this morning thankful for time. Each … [Read more...] about Even With My Depression, I Am Still Thankful
Depression Has Left Me a “Deer in Headlights” Again
I want to decide, but I feel frozen instead. There are things I can do right now that would address getting out of bed in the morning. But somehow, all I can muster is my “being OK†act. My high-functioning depression kicks in when I must get out of bed. This morning is a perfect example. I had gone to bed just before 10 PM. Eight hours … [Read more...] about Depression Has Left Me a “Deer in Headlights” Again
Evergreen – Lessons I’ve Learned From 50 Years of High-Functioning Depression
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
