What were your first steps?

For those who have started over and rebuilt from life knocking you down, where did you begin? What do you recommend as the foundation to build up from? Depression has smothered me in fatigue, along with anxiety, pain, migraines, and more. There’s got to be more than merely surviving and I’m hoping others who have overcome similar can help with finding a path back to something better.

[SoberDrunk1]

I awoke 2006 September to the fact that i have problem with drinking, after initial struggle found a shrink who suggested AA. I was lost for few months in the fellowship but eventually realized i am an alcoholic and that only the 12 steps could save me. It was very transformational. You may find some fellowship that deal with emotions or you could simply try Al-anon. We always have someone in the family who has addiction issues.

You could substitute "We are powerless over alcohol that our life has become unmanageable" with "We are powerless over "emotions/........." that our life has become unmanageable and try to apply rest of the program.

[PNIAuthor60]

emotionsanonymous.org ...foundational steps finding a support group as has been mentioned, talking, good self care is vital (getting a good night's rest, eating nutritionally and routinely, exercising, finding a new interest in order to meet new people and learn new things, journalling if you are interested helps us to see our patterns after a while.

Focus on your strengths as best as you can, we are all resilient human beings in varying degrees regardless of what it feels like

[Hidden]

My biggest step was forgiving those who have hurt me and letting go of the anger. Some people I didn't tell but in my mind I forgave them. Then forgiving myself for hurting others as a result and for making bad decisions due to my pain and past traumas. After that, it was much more peaceful. It took my about thirty years to get to that.

[Pagesofwords]

I went to my family physician in 1984 and told him how I felt and what was going on in my life. Depression was not talked about much at that time and I was so afraid. I was shocked that he listened to me for 45 minutes, asked questions and took me seriously, prescribed an antidepressant and gave me the phone number of the Community Mental Health Center to call and set up an appointment with a therapist. I had many years of therapy, kept a journal, and was tried on 13 different medicines that did not work. It was found six years later that I had an underactive thyroid--correcting that helped. What most changed my life was two years later I began a new med and I've been on it 27 years. Journal writing, talk therapy, being with caring people, doing things I enjoy, music, reading, dogs and cats, children, and practicing my faith were all essential for me. Just getting older also helps because I have more perspective and patience. I've been in various support groups over the years, too. I hope you get to feeling better, Hidden. Learn healthy coping techniques and "take baby steps" at changing what you want to change. Be kind to yourself and others. That's all I can think of. Best wishes to you!

[SheWrote]

I am not sure what your beliefs are, but, the only thing that helped me was God. I was at rock bottom, and turning towards the Lord in some completely desperate moments brought me some hope. Not only that, He sent people in my life that loved me through the healing. But, I had to decide to do whatever had to be done to get better. It took a lot of work and it was painful, but, it was SO worth it! I am so good now. You can be too! HUGS!