Dear jonathan peisner:

It has taken me six years and four months so far, starting with my very first experience of quality psychotherapy (March 2011- August 2013) and ongoing daily healing work during and since the beginning of therapy, using the tools I learned then, to this very day. I no longer fit the diagnoses of major depression and a few other diagnoses that have to do with severe anxiety.

I used to think that healing will result in a state of “none pain”, an all-good happily-ever-after existence. But not so. There is fear and there is pain. But there is also a newness to life, a growing calmness. It is a gradual process that requires tons of patience with the process. It really is about the rewiring of the brain, new neuropathways being formed, and that takes a lot of time and work. Doable with commitment and persistence.

I do wish you and your family well. Hope you post again, anytime.

anita

Dear Jon:

My therapist of 2011-2013 taught me the concept of “wise mind” that you mentioned. His teaching was:

Wise Mind= Rational Mind  +  Emotional Mind.

Taking one day at a time is my way as well. Hope you do get to the newness of life, the growing calmness- today, if only just a bit. Little by little, one day at a time.

anita

Hi Jonathan,

I too suffer from depression and I do feel that, although I meditate, take medication and go to therapy, I feel…how can I put it? Like I am wading through treacle. I too am taking one day at a time but i do often have thoughts of the future and what sort of life I will have.

With regards to alcohol, I have never heard of an ability to get intoxicated, for me it is the other way around, my tablets make me a cheap date and a couple of drinks is enough!!

Thank you for sharing your life, it is good to know we are not alone.

Hi Jonathan,

I know the things you are going through. Usually depression is a sign that you haven’t moved on from something you should have. If you are lingering over regrets in the past, perhaps there is a way you can do something to make up what is bothering you. Focusing on the goodness that we do instead of our regrets can help us grow into the person who we want to become. I’ve found thinking about that person and then creating a list of steps toward that person can really help because you are always focusing on the progress toward one of those steps instead of thinking about the things you wish was different. Progress can be a beautiful, beautiful feeling. Try to focus on the hope that is out there.

Another good tip that really helped me with my anxiety that I got from “DARE: A New Way to End Anxiety” is that when you start feeling anxious, instead of feeding it fear, respond with strength. And then go and do something that you love instead of lingering in the anxiety.

Meditation or whatever  you want to call just standing and breathing naturally as you listen continuously to be the best way to relax and quiet the thoughts that make us more anxious. Listening to sounds can be the greatest thing sometimes!