Information and opinions on Depression from agserra1 at MyDepressionConnection.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234 http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234 http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/51454/letter-hope Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:04:10 -0500 agserra1 Saw a program about positive reinforcment .. it is Christian based .. but I tried it today and have found it helpful ... so I wrote myself this letter to read each day , or whenever I feel like it ...   Dearest Adrian -   You are a great person and will succeed in whatever you do in this life .. you are strong and brave .. you are able to overcome adversity ..   You will be happoer beyond your wildest dreams as you... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/51454/letter-hope http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/51325/relaxation Sat, 06 Dec 2008 11:42:30 -0500 agserra1 Hello - Learned soma relaxation techniques .. EFT .. A tapping method used to help me refocuse and lower my pain and anxiety ..   My therapist taught me two .. I am posting the easiet of the two first .. it is simple and hopefully will help you to relax and refocus your energy ..   First you get nice and comfy as best you can ... Place your index fingers (the tips) at the center of each eyebrow and tap... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/51325/relaxation http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/45233/creature Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:01:27 -0400 agserra1 Having my two dogs is one of the best treatments I know in my world .. they not only provide companionship , but comfort .. I know it is a topic with most who have an illness and has been documented that pets can increase your "happiness" level ....   I know mine have , and taking them for walks , tending to their needs helps me remember that I am not alone ... so what happens when your pets need basic health care ..   If you... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/45233/creature http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/44508/lessened-today Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:04:51 -0400 agserra1 Hello - I love this quote by Earnest Hemingway, a great storyteller , who like we here, suffered from depression ... I want to share it with you .. and in memory to a fellow CPer , who decided she could no longer stay here with us .... to Carla ...   "No man is an island, entire of itself; Every man and woman is apiece of the continent, aprt of the main: If a clod should be washed away by the sea, the world is the less, as well as if a... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/44508/lessened-today http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/44382/dear Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:15:25 -0400 agserra1 Well, was really up about going to the meeting , until I woke up this morning .. it is like a wave just washed over me .. and I am now getting those racing thoughts again .. I just cannot get comfortable .. I was so relaxed, kept focused on my daily chores, and really felt okay with it .. now I am grumpy, my head is foggy , and my chest is tightening ... this is ridiculous ...   I really am making an effort , so why does this happen ? It... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/44382/dear http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/43996/aware-economic Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:25:00 -0400 agserra1 Seeing quite a bit of posting on the rough economic times and how it is affecting people with anxiety and depression ... this encompasses people who also have other illnesses as well since "stress" and anxiety and overall mental well being is key in staying healthy ...   For me, it is taking the steps to get the help that is out there .. when your income is 50% of your "marortgage" and you are struggling to keep hope alive .. asking for... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/43996/aware-economic http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/43581/letter-paper Sun, 05 Oct 2008 09:45:28 -0400 agserra1 Well, as a post newspaper worker , I have sent a letter to our local papers .. outlining important untapped resources .. the under the middle class group of people , like me, in hopes that a story about our concerns about what is happening in this election year and the "bail-out" ..   As most candidates address the "middle-class" and above , we are left out .. healthcare, foreclosure, income and other issues are important to us who live... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/43581/letter-paper http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/43505/following-up Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:33:49 -0400 agserra1 Following up on oneself , ensuring that I am moving in a more positive direction is , well, tiring ... with each day , there are new issues popping up , and old ones that are still hanging in ...   Being in my skin is a lot like being a snake .. scraping and adjusting , trying to shed the old skin and become fresh , with each growth ... still finding it does not come easy ...   Depression comes to you when you just don't expect it... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/43505/following-up http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/42960/what-like-being Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:45:17 -0400 agserra1 This has been a question I have gone over and over in my head ... even in therapy , I have asked where I wouldlike to go, what I would like to see happen in the process of healing ..   My life has been a string of self imposed exile, of feeling like I am in a catch 22 of sorts ... while I struggle through each day of what it is like being me , there are no easy answers ...   Yes, I am feeling more in control of my emotions , and... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/42960/what-like-being http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/42644/doing-better Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:30:59 -0400 agserra1 Hello - my decision to come down off Xanax has been quite the experience ... and since talking openly and honestly with my PCP , things are going much smoother ...   Adjusting my meds to help with the withdrawals has worked out better for me .. at first my PCP , Pharmacist and Therapist all felt giving me buspirone to help with withdrawals would be best .. yet as my PCP upped that dosage to double the intake .. I got more shaky and foggy... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/75234/42644/doing-better