What moe's said. Not tomorrow, not next week, not next month, but NOW. Also, quit drinking. Don't cut down; quit. It is poisonous to a depressive.
I looked into therapy about 8 months ago, the therapists that are in my budget didn't seem to be very qualified. I think being healthier will help, but I've been great shape before and still wasn't happy. Maybe if I can acquire a new skill, while getting in better shape, it will be different. Here's hoping we'll both find a way to work these problems, such is life, one continuous struggle. I might take you up on that e-mail sometime, hope you start feeling better. Good luck with the smoking.
Easier said than done. I was thinking AA may be decent form of cheap therapy, I've been considering that lately. It's tough admitting you have a problem, I'm not sure I'm ready.
Ultimately it is up to you to decide if you really want to feel better, I thought for far too long that if things just changed here or there I'd snap out of it. It never happened, things only got worse and I turned to smoking cigs and pot to deal with the anxiety and the stress. If you can admit you need help, you're taking the biggest and most important step toward recovery. It doesn't take a very qualified person to help you deal with depression. My therapist isn't as qualified as the expensive shrinks you'll find these days, but helping cure depression is her area of major focus. I'll take any help I can get. I know addictions can ruin your life and alienate you from everyone who actually cares about your well-being. I've never been an alcohol abuser... there really isn't any family history of alcohol abuse in my family, so I guess I'm lucky in that regard. Sometimes you have to take a hard look at yourself and ask "Am I really happy doing this or is it the source of all my problems?"
Good luck on quitting AB. I have been "addicted" to or "dependant" on klonopin for 2 years now. For those that don't know, Klonopin is in the class of benzodiazpine drugs that help people with anxiety disorders. I have tried to quit taking this drug as I feel I don't need it anymore. It is the hardest thing ever to quit. If I go too long without a dose I start getting shaky and nervous. I went 33 days without it in June and became a hermit, and felt parylized, so I had to re-instate in July. I've always been the anxious type. I just hide it well. But like AB, I hope I can one day beat this.
I think that's key for a lot of things. I know in couples therapy I learned about recognizing warning signs and triggers before they went off, helped me make some real changes, and helps me still, before I approach things the wrong way or say things the wrong way. I don't always catch them in time, but much more than I did before. It's made a huge difference.
the thing about therapy vs. just a new workout or healthy lifestyle(which is all great, and probably should be a part of your recovery or cure) is that like Moes was talking about it can help you realize what will set you off, before you get set off, and start spiraling downward. The therapist can also help you find some things to help you deal with those triggers. At least from my limited perspective and what I've seen with others. Best of luck to you.
good luck to the OP and to anyone trying to quit. I hit my ten year mark and felt pretty good about it. I used to try and be vocal about how easy it was for me to quit cold turkey, but I realized no one needs to hear that when they are trying to quit. they need support. but it isn't truly until your body tells you that you are sick of it, then something in your brain clicks.
