Introduction

[O_Dorney]

Hi all.

I have had the black dog as company for 5 years now. Its been tough and have lost all motivation and some long time friendships. It a very lonly thing depression and i am lost for words at how many younger people on this forum fall victim to this. Its good to know that I am not alone and feel that a friendly ear can be a great help.

This is a problem within society as a whole but i feel that those who do not have depression are afraid of what they do not understand. Not their fault

Last weekend I went down to a block of land I have in northern NSW. Went down with a couple of mates and we had a few beers and a camp fire. We woke in the morning to watch the sunrise. It took my breath away.

I take time out and get back to basics whenever I feel overwhelmed and to realise that I am more than a body and mind. I can feel when i need to go and find it a great leveller. I gave up the medication three years ago but still have depression. I try and manage it best I can.

This is where I'm at and looking forward to this forum.

Cheers

[geoff]

hello O Dorney, welcome to the site.
That's a great way to come back to reality by going down to your block of land, clear your mind and realise that there are other things in life you can enjoy, sometimes with other people this isn't possible.
You must have had a bad reaction with the medication.
People who have been blessed not to have depression can never understand why a person is being controlled by something they don't know about, but rather it's something everybody should learn about what it does and how it's able to destroy a person's life. Geoff.

[Starwolf]

Hi O Dorney, good to meet you.

I hear you, I too think depression is very much a society issue. It is increasing among the young and picking up momentum among adults. There is far too much imposed pressure and the pace of Life is forever increasing. Children are often robbed of their childhood and adults find themselves inadequate in the face of unrealistic expectations. We are no longer living in a way we are meant to.

I guess hindsight has given those of my generation a different perspective on what has been lost along the way and how people react to this loss.

It is good to read that you had such a good time on your block of land. Isn't it amazing how much of Life we miss out on when we live in our heads ? I feel privileged to live in an isolated bush area where the basics never let me forget about them for very long. You are right, the basics are our root system. We all know what happens to uprooted plants...they can no longer grow upwards.

Due to PTSD, I once was in the throes of depression and anxiety. Sure, there has been years of ruthless mind work, of learning and practicing coping strategies and setbacks. But I also acknowledge the therapeutic value of spending a lot of jungle/bush time and lifelong work (and general interaction) with the animal world. It can help retrieve a lost soul.

So the fact that you feel and indulge that need is music to my cyber ears.

I wish you many more campfires under the stars and many more sunrises.