Helping One Another Become The Best They Can Be
Overcoming Depression
by David Schupbach
David Schupbach 
Have you ever struggled with depression?Have you ever struggled with depression?
If you have, you have fought one of the hardest battles any person ever faces. Your friends will not understand you, your spouse will leave you, you will have a hard time holding down a steady job, and you may even have thoughts about taking your own, or someone else's life.
Except for the occasional moment, that is all behind me now, but reading the recent headlines about the young man who killed shoppers, and then himself in Omaha Nebraska, I was reminded of how fortunate I really am.
What makes it all so sad, is the reality of the situation is: Depression is nothing more than a pattern of thoughts in a person's mind, but it can destroy everything around it if left unchecked! Just like the suicide bomber. He doesn't just kill himself, he gets everyone in the area.
Now, this pattern of thoughts can sometimes be the result of chemical imbalance, or it may be physical damage. I haven't experienced this, but I am not discounting it.
I have written about my story at my other blog but it is too long to go into here. My point is this: YOU DON'T HAVE TO SUFFER! There are resources. There are those willing to help.
You may read my blog at Wordpress, or you may have never experienced depression, and wonder what I'm rattling on about. But the purpose of this group is to help one another, and I thought I would add my 2 cents worth:-) D
Dec 9th 2007 18:15
Have you ever struggled with depression?Have you ever struggled with depression?
If you have, you have fought one of the hardest battles any person ever faces. Your friends will not understand you, your spouse will leave you, you will have a hard time holding down a steady job, and you may even have thoughts about taking your own, or someone else's life.
Except for the occasional moment, that is all behind me now, but reading the recent headlines about the young man who killed shoppers, and then himself in Omaha Nebraska, I was reminded of how fortunate I really am.
What makes it all so sad, is the reality of the situation is: Depression is nothing more than a pattern of thoughts in a person's mind, but it can destroy everything around it if left unchecked! Just like the suicide bomber. He doesn't just kill himself, he gets everyone in the area.
Now, this pattern of thoughts can sometimes be the result of chemical imbalance, or it may be physical damage. I haven't experienced this, but I am not discounting it.
I have written about my story at my other blog but it is too long to go into here. My point is this: YOU DON'T HAVE TO SUFFER! There are resources. There are those willing to help.
You may read my blog at Wordpress, or you may have never experienced depression, and wonder what I'm rattling on about. But the purpose of this group is to help one another, and I thought I would add my 2 cents worth:-) D
Dec 9th 2007 18:15
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Comments
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Lee Poulson
 Health CoachYou mentioned the chemical imbalances and I believe that accounts for the vast majority of depression. The news and media look at all the reasons someone would do the thing the boy in Nebraska did but you hardly ever hear what prescription medications they might have been on. A lot of the medications actually push people over the edge. People are given mind altering pills when what they really need is balanced nutrition and detoxifying. Heavy metals are killers in more ways than one. Do you know what profession has the highest rate of suicide? It’s dentists. They handle toxic metals and put them in people’s mouths. Do you know where the murder capitol of the world is? According to Dr Cords it’s a little mining town that mines manganese. But, I understand too well that nutrition can’t mend a broken heart. We made it through Halloween but Christmas is going to be hard too. We shop for the other grandkids and see what we would like to have bought for Kendra. Cheryl, just know that we will pray for you and I would ask that you remember us also. I wonder if tears help to detoxify? If they do I’m detoxifying right now. Dec 9th 2007 21:21 |
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Cheryl Baumgartner
  Medical Billing/Coding/InsuranceLee you don't need to ask. You are permanently in my prayers. The season is hard for all of us who have lost a family member too early. I don't know if tears are detoxifying, but a good cry can make you feel better. Dec 9th 2007 21:50 |
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David Schupbach
Hi Cheryl, Hello Lee, I thought several times about this post before I made it. But then I thought.... Is there anything more relevant to overcoming life's struggles than overcoming depression? Sure, I still have my down days, but they are rare now. Instead of the constant, unrelenting, misery I endured for so many years. I had sessions of depression, heh, for 40 years off and on, but after 3 family members passed, did it become an every day event. I hope you have both clicked the link, and read my story, as there maybe some tips there that will remind you of what you already know, or something you hadn't thought of. Heck I had to go read it myself today! Yes, tears can be de-tox for the soul, and your information is absolutely correct Lee about heavy metals. I was thinking more about Seritonin uptake problems which is what the most common pharmaceuticals are geared toward. Dec 10th 2007 03:30 |
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Eric Smith
Online ProfessionalI don't talk about it much but i went through a serious battle with depression in my early 20's. I don't remember a great deal about it, but little things like waking up in our garden shed curled up in a ball (don't remember how i got there) and it was the middle of winter and i don't remember feeling cold... ... in fact i don't remember feeling a great deal of anyting for several months. The worst part has to be people who don't understand. I felt like some sort of freak because of how i "thought" people were looking at me ... pointing ... talking ... but its important to realise, There IS Light at the end of the tunnel (and its NOT from an oncoming train). Unfortunately i had to get through it on my own. But all i can (passionately) say now is find someone to TALK to about it. It makes things SO much easier, and people DO NOT think your a freak... Dec 11th 2007 14:20 |
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Jenny Stewart
Your Wordpress Blog has so many truths in it . How silly to say to someone who suffers from Depression - think positively. How can you if you are depressed? Your perception of reality is "off centre" It is not going to work. You and Lee have both rightly commented that, whatever triggers off a dression, it ends up with a chemical imbalance. And that needs to be balanced. For most people there is a way out - but it takes time and peserverence. it is always much easier with help and support, but as Eric says, it can be done alone. I have been there, and I know it is possible - if you have no choice. It is either that, or staying depressed. There are new medications that are less noxious than the old ones, it is easier to find councelling IN SOME REGIONS but not all. But a great deal can be done by simple things that have already been mentioned - and that are free- Drinking enough water to detoxify yourself on a daily basis and WALKING. i have a friend who has a bipolar condition (that used to be called manic depression). She walks several miles a day and hasnt had an attack now in 5 years. Prior to that , with her medication, i, she sstill had at least two attacks a year and sometimes had to be hospitalized . Controlled by less than hour's walk a day. It certainly works for me too. The best part of overcoming depression, is that if it returns, you know it is not forever and will pass. Knowing that makes it pass even quicker!. And Cheryl - tell me about Christmas. But is going to be ok this year - because it has to be.LOL Dec 11th 2007 16:16 |
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David Schupbach
Thanks Eric and Jenny for sharing. That's one of the reasons for my WP Blog. I didn't feel the whole thing was exactly appropriate over here. Now I have a question. I am turning the whole thing into an e-book, would anyone like to contribute their experience to the book? My thought was, if you blog your experience, I will hotlink it in the book. However if anyone wanted to I could always include it into the book. I figure the lessons we have learned should be passed on, or they are sorta wasted. Let me know what you think. Dec 11th 2007 21:09 |
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Jennifer Underwood
PromoterI was a sufferer of depression, and am also a sufferer of PTSD....but I don't let it get me down! :0) Dec 11th 2007 21:35 |
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Jennifer Underwood
PromoterAnd I am so glad to see that you are UP UP... Stay there! And if you ever need a friend. Well you know where to find many!! Dec 11th 2007 21:36 |
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David Schupbach
Thank You Jennifer, I see you are another who understands! And you are right, I DO know where to find them....! ;-) Dec 12th 2007 02:21 |
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Jennifer Underwood
PromoterYes, I def do. And my biggest understanding has come....I am not alone in this world! Sufferers...suffer from that feeling of lonliness. That feeling....well sorry apsense SUCKS and is the BIGGEST LIE OF ALL! Dec 12th 2007 02:37 |
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Jennifer Underwood
PromoterI am going to bed now..it is almost 4 am here...going to get up in 2 1/2 hours yes folks...I do sleep! LOL Mo...not trying to advertise my blogs here..but I have many that go there. And...lol...it is just the beginning! :0) Dec 12th 2007 02:41 |
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Joseph Botelho
 Investing One Gram at a TimeHI Mo, Yep LONGTIME, hey we have that fear that it will not happen to us, we thing it can't happen to me, well the mind is a wonderful thing. The mind at times gets so much information to handle that our body all of a sudden feels different, causes us to go into a state of stress and it can kill you lead to a heart attack and many other things your organs all of a suddne work in a different pattern...........Your mind keeps on wonder from thought to thought with out founding any real solutions to your thoughs........... Mo when l feel down, depressed, stressed or what ever other name you want to call it burnt out...........I listen to my body and l know l have to do something about it. the thing that works the best for me is working out l get on my BowFlex, yes l bought one of them thing many, many years ago...........but l use it or the kids use it and to be honest with you Mo 15 min, an hour work out l feel that my mind starts to slow down as my heart beats increase and l start feeling different, my minds main focus now is on the pain that l am providing my body with the work out l have maniulated my mind to go else where and leave the thoughs that l had a lone for awhile. Depression is casued by many different reasons, at times we create it ourselves by adding way to pressure to our abilities and task, financial situations can create depression many, many things can lead to depression, stress...............some of us can hadle stress and depression better then others..........It is one of the hardest things to over come no matter how smart, rich or how you look, feel or who you are it can take over your life so fast and lead you to self destruction without you even knowing it........... When l feel that way or know l have all of the pressure and stress starting to build up l need to get away from all....................hell l am no good to myself, now being around people will only create friction and lead to what ever, more then likely exhange of harsh words which leads to arfuments among friends, family members or co workers.............so l do the disappearing act like l did not so long ago........see l no different then you.........and the first step you took is talking about it which is the best step to over come it..........Up here in Canada we have a phrase we share with our friends..............KEEP YOUR STICK ON THE ICE.............means you do just fine..................:) Dec 13th 2007 21:02 |
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Jennifer Underwood
PromoterJOHNNNNNN!!!! WELCOME BACK!!!!!! Very very good comment. Thank you as always! Dec 13th 2007 21:17 |
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David Schupbach
Joseph!! SO glad to have you back!! Everything you say is so true... I still have my days, the tendency perhaps, to veer the wrong direction, but it is no different than driving down the road. You just have to make minor adjustments to the direction you car is traveling, and you WILL stay on the road! Funny how we have more depression than we did 100 years ago. Partly because it is mor widely recognized, but also our lives are more sedentary. The exercise thing is one of the most important things we can do! As we age tho, it becomes more of a problem. My grandfather was 93 when he died, and for the 43 years I knew him, I never saw him depressed. I also never saw him sit still for very long either! I am so glad for all the responses to this blog, as you say, it is something that needs to be talked about, but everyone trys to ignore because they wouldn't want to give the wrong impression... Thanks again for coming back Joseph!! 'you da man!' D Dec 14th 2007 05:31 |
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Joseph Botelho
Investing One Gram at a TimeTHanks Mo. Yes life is more complicated then it has every been, just learn to take control make them minor adjustments as you said and it will all be good..................one day at a time a, one small step will lead to over all improvement......take care my friend... Dec 14th 2007 08:34 |
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Beth Schmillen
Cheryl and Lee... I want to let you know that you are in my thoughts this holiday season as well... and anyone else who is dealing with the less wonderful aspects of the holiday when it reminds them of having lost a loved one... Merry HollyDaze Beth Dec 14th 2007 09:03 |
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David Schupbach
Beth thanks, it took me several xmas, and thanksgivings to realize the holidays affected me that way. Looking back and seeing they did, I know I have to work extra hard to not veer this time of year. Dec 14th 2007 13:53 |
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Cheryl Baumgartner
Medical Billing/Coding/InsuranceThank you Beth, being surrounded by the family helps. The biggest thing is not being alone right know but sharing with people who understand my pain. Dec 14th 2007 14:07 |
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Beth Schmillen
I think we've found a support group! First one I've ever truly been part of.. except here and there a person or two... family of course or of course not! (LOL) .... That may be why I set my sights on the New Year about 2 weeks ago! (smiles) Beth Dec 14th 2007 14:16 |
I understand being depressed especially during this time of year. While it's not a clinical depression it's just as limiting. Christmas is very hard then the month of January rolls around and it's still with me. This coming January 20th would have been Gayle's 21st birthday.
This is something many families have to deal with. The loved ones who won't be with us celebrating the season. The tree seems empty due to the lack of gifts you would have bought. Every time I go in the store and see something The thought crosses my mind that I should buy an item to put under the tree for Gayle and then suddenly reality reminds me that she's not here.
This is definitely a relevant topic Dave even if it is one we don't want to deal with.
Dec 9th 2007 19:22