immaculata Posted June 27, 2004 Author Share Posted June 27, 2004 [quote name='Sinner' date='Jun 27 2004, 12:23 AM'] Immaculata, What an appropriate time to ask about Spiritual Direction. Today is the Feast Day of St. Josemaria the founder of Opus Dei. Priests of Opus Dei are especially good at Spiritual Direction. I hope you are near one. If not...... just start with any Priest and ask. [/quote] Yes, I am a member of Opus Dei! Unfortunately, the closest center to me is two hours away. (St. Louis) The next time an OD priest comes in for an Evening of Recollection, I will be sure to ask him what I can do about spiritual direction. In the meantime, I'll try to get ahold of my chaplain and see what I can arrange with him. :wub: Thanks again for all your prayers and advice, guys. You're right.. admitting I have a problem and can't solve it on my own is probably the biggest step I can take towards getting better. Just pray that I don't backslide again. -_- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norseman82 Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 OK, I missed the part about cutting yourself the first time I read the post; my apologies for not seeing the seriousness the first time through. That changes everything. I would suggest seeing someone for help, starting with a priest. Also, don't strike out on your own yet, let your mother and family keep an eye on you and monitor your progress. Don't become isolated; instead, surround yourself with good friends. And to add to what Raphael said about not hanging around depressing people, I just want to add the caveat that some "support groups" can turn into a subculture of their own and further isolate you (I have seen it for myself, that explains why I am skeptical of any quick rush to therapy except for the "emergency" cases). The key is to not be isolated. And I just asked St. Dymphna to pray for you as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeenaBobba Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 Hi Norseman, I agree with you to a degree about hanging around with depressed people a lot. There is a possibility that the negativity could further depress someone; however, I've spent time around depressed people, and it actually made me feel better. They could understand where I was coming from when I spoke with them. Feeling understood made me feel a bit better. God bless, Jen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 [quote]The key is to not be isolated. [/quote] Oh, certainly. I should have added that. You don't want to surround yourself with other depressed people, but you certainly can't isolate yourself from normal life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
immaculata Posted June 27, 2004 Author Share Posted June 27, 2004 [quote name='Norseman82' date='Jun 27 2004, 12:43 AM'] OK, I missed the part about cutting yourself the first time I read the post; my apologies for not seeing the seriousness the first time through. [/quote] I've only cut myself once, and honestly I was really surprised after I did it. I didn't think that I had sunk that low. Even though I tried to hide it at first, I think it was really a cry for help. I don't think I'll do it ever again, but then I'm always afraid that I might try it again to get attention. Who knows what my crazy half will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 [quote]Who knows what my crazy half will do.[/quote] Is it the crazy half that's addicted to Phatmass or the crazy half that's addicted to Golden Grahams? Either way, I say, "feed your addiction." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
immaculata Posted June 27, 2004 Author Share Posted June 27, 2004 [quote name='Raphael' date='Jun 27 2004, 12:59 AM'] Is it the crazy half that's addicted to Phatmass or the crazy half that's addicted to Golden Grahams. Either way, I say, "feed your addiction." [/quote] YUMMY!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
immaculata Posted June 27, 2004 Author Share Posted June 27, 2004 Ya'll made me smile today. Thanks much! :wub: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 You're welcome, Immaculata! :wavey: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qfnol31 Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 I just thought of some good advice a priest once said for depression. He said during Mass, as the Priest is offering up the bread and wine (during the offetory, right before we stand again), you offer yourself. As he offers up the bread, you offer up your body, and as he offers up the wine, you offer up your depression, sadness, yuckiness pretty much (that's the word he used, yuckiness). That's all during the offetory. During Holy Communion, right when you receive Jesus in the most precious Body and Blood, you ask for healing. It's really simple. Plus, it works great!!! Also, going to regular Reconciliation can give you lots of graces to get over depression, just talk to the priest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinner Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 First: Then....... :wub: :group: Then...... :peace: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soldier4Him Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 Causin' smiles is what we do best sister!!! :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: The pham is always glad to oblige little missy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
immaculata Posted June 27, 2004 Author Share Posted June 27, 2004 [quote name='Sinner' date='Jun 27 2004, 01:30 AM'] First: Then....... :wub: :group: Then...... :peace: [/quote] So true!! Alissa, I'm glad we're prayer partners!! :group: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soldier4Him Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 [quote]Alissa, I'm glad we're prayer partners!! [/quote] Glad to oblige sister! Watch out though.....I can get a little crazy at times!!!!!! :alien: :nanny: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p0lar_bear Posted June 27, 2004 Share Posted June 27, 2004 [quote name='immaculata' date='Jun 25 2004, 10:07 PM'] I blame myself a lot, thinking that if I had the personal power, if I was a better Catholic, if I prayed more, went to Mass more, spent more time in Adoration I wouldn't have this problem. Sometimes I really love God and am fully consumed in love for Him, and other times I have a hard time believing that any of it is true. I think I need to go see a therepist, but I'm scared. I don't think he'll understand. Antidepressants seem like the easy way out, when really I should be able to fix this on my own. [/quote] Immaculata, Depression is not about being weak or strong. It is a disease. If you had cancer, you wouldn't say "If I were a better Catholic I wouldn't have this problem." You wouldn't say that chemo was a cop out. Depression is associated with a chemical imbalance in the nervous system. A neuro-transmitter called Seratonin (that's spelled wrong..) is not transmitted properly. What most anti-depressants do is cause more seratonin to be transmitted through the nervous system. You can't do that on your own anymore than you can make cancer go away on your own. Even if you don't need to be on medication permenantly, it may be good for a little while until the therapy can help. but that's a decision for a professional to make. I stayed alive for a long time without medication. However, since going on medication, I've been able to actually live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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