Climbing out of the dark pit

I had been debilitated most of my life by depression. Thanks to a team of professional mental health providers I have been able to appropriately treat it and not let it interfere with my ability to pursue a purposeful life. Once I made that first step of seeking help I knew the rest was up to me I had to make a choice and though it was not easy to do, I realized that part of achieving a life with purpose involved me applying myself and being persistent. Here are some of the tools I used to help me deal with my depression.

" You gain strength - courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face - you must do the thing which you think you cannot do" EleanorRoosevelt

1- I couldn’t do it alone. I knew that I had to find someone whom I trusted and had confidence in to help guide me. Whether it was a counselor, mental health professional, support group, a family member or a friend, It was important to confide in someone and tell them how I was feeling.

2- I had to seek positive things in my life. Some of the things that help me were watching a funny movie, listening to music, dancing (If I'm alone I just put on a good song and dance away), reading a good book, registering for a class on continuing education, support groups, exercise, going for a walk, writing ,calling or visiting a friend, relative to chat and have companionship.

3- I had to believe that I was not going to feel that way forever. Maybe the change wouldn't occur overnight, at least not for me. But through work, faith and persistence it became easier to get up from every fall. Trust me I have been in the darkest pits of depression and I have come out of them. Who is to say that anyone else can't do it.

 If depression is creeping up and must be faced, learn something about the nature of the beast: You may escape without a mauling.
Dr. R. W. Shepherd

What I'm looking for is a blessing that's not in disguise. ~Kitty O'Neill Collins