I'm very glad you're feeling better.

I'm glad to hear that you are doing better! I have been there. Not as significant as your situation but close enough. I'm doing very well now and I even wish I could go back in time and tell myself then how strong, well and happy I feel now.

I'd say I feel the same but when my depression is too bad I can't even think well enough to engage in conversations or post on here. I'm actually in a rut now, if my shorter less insightful comments are any indication. Though I've never been bad enough to say I should have been hospitalized, or like you am too stubborn to realize that I should be. But it is good that we have a place where there are people that really show us that we're not alone, in more ways than ideology.

Honestly religious communities seem to foster the opposite feelings, ever seen "The Joneses"? Which I don't know what came first but churches always feel like everyone is trying to keep up with the Joneses.

I've been there. Stay strong!

I'm glad you are feeling better.

I suffer from depression and bipolar. This past May I was about to commit suicide until I looked at my dog, Oliver. I called my parents and they came and got me. I’ve just joined this site and I think its been helpful to me also. I’m working on a book about mental illness and why the system is failing so many people. I need to get into the stigma of depression. But most of all I want to take the reader on a journey to hell and realize MI is painful. It is pain just like a broken leg but nobody can see it. I want them to understand what it’s like to have constant thoughts of death. People don’t just wake up one day and decide they’ll commit suicide. They’v been in pain for years and have finally got to the point where they can’t take it anymore. The brain truly is an amazing body part. To reach the point of suicide a person loses that deep will to survive. It’s gone.

I’m sick of being shamed for dealing with depression and occasional low grade manic phases. I’m on ssdi and people automatically pass judgement on me. Stigma is hard to fight. Especially when you can’t see the problem and can’t feel the pain and don’t understand what is going on with that person.

I hope to be a voice for all who suffer not only the illness but the way MI is treated and the failings of the MH field.

If it comes to nothing that’s okay too. At least I got my thoughts down on paper.

I wish you well.

The site has helped me too. I tend to get depressed at night a lot. The last 2 atheists groups I left, they didn't understand mental illness and made me feel bad for their being mean. One site totally was rude and told everyone on the site in the comments I was in a group home because I'm mentally ill. I have depression, yes, but when the admin said it to everyone, I got embarrassed and hurt. He said I'm depressed and that is why I'm skinny. Uh, no. It was an atheist fitness group. People that have mentally ill kids, yet makes fun of me for it, piss me off. (The admin, he was jealous cause he was 290 lbs. I'm 97 lbs)

I'm glad you're feeling better! I have been in a major depression myself, meds don't help me, but moving has, started doing yoga and such. Also I quit smoking. Trying to replace negative habits with positive ones. Makes sense that community helps you!

The last couple of days have been rough for me as well. It was nice to read your post and be reminded I'm not alone. Today I shared with a therapist about being molested when I was 12 years old and the whole thing started after my sister sent me a picture and in the picture I'm 12 and I could see that I was just a child. I started drinking at 12 and had a lot of room to do things I didn't think of myself as a child. A friend reminded me that the things that happened in our brain are chemical and electrical and our perceptions are an illusion. For example snow is just snow some people are happy when it snows and some people aren't but it's all about perception. I wish you the best. Sorry Charlie only the best tasting tuna gets to be starkist. It's just my lot in life so I have to live it that's why I'm Charlie tuna.

I've just come out of the same but not as bad.

REALLY glad you're starting to feel better. Stay on your meds. They might be a real pain in the ass to keep up with, but they DO serve a purpose. You are NOT alone. People here give a shit. We can't fix anything for anyone, but we're here, and we can always listen. You really are not alone.

@Leutrelle this site is therapy for me too and the community feel is great! It's our Church!

This is a big outlet for me too.

I'm sure you (and others) have noticed that when you vent even a little stress, even if only in one specific area, the whole system feels and works better. That's what I've noticed in myself after plugging in here.

I'm glad it's working for you.

I'm there with you @Leutrelle.... I have suffered my whole life with clinical depression and anxiety, which has gotten much worse as I've reached my 50s. This is indeed a great forum, and I also find it very therapeutic to settle in with a group of far-flung friends. I wish you continued good luck with your daily struggle!

I am glad we are so therapeutic for you.

Glad we can be a sounding board for you. Sometimes that's all it takes. Just having someone to air your thoughts to that can nod back and tell you they get it. And, as others here have mentioned, please stay on whatever meds are prescribed. I've watched my brother ride that roller coaster way too many times. He takes the meds for a while. Feels better for a while. Then decides he either doesn't need the meds or can't afford them and he slides right back down. I've had to stop him from killing himself way too many times. I really hate to see anyone in that much pain. And it's real. A lot of people don't realize that but, I do.

That is awesome! This is a good place to be among friends. You definitely can question life and God and really be taken seriously here. I live in a rural area and agree with you, here is my community.

Oh see now wonder I love this site.. I too get depressed sometimes..but come here, read the posts, the links the silly fun questions and feel so much better also yay to @Admin

I can sympathize a little. Know what helps me when I'm blue? Knowing how special we all are in the grand scheme of the universe. We are a way for the universe to understand itself. How amazing is that??? I can't even fathom how special we are in this regard. So it is an absolute must that we find a way to enjoy this "brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides" - Carl Sagan.

Glad we can help. Keep them spirits up!