When I done session 3 I felt great after it, My depression lifted and I really did think I was better thanks to positive self talk,

I'm now at session 6 and it doesn't matter a damn how I talk to myself I still feel depressed, I've listened to session 3 countless time but its doing no good,

Have you's had this problem

Dear Daveyboy

Pls don't get discouraged - keep working the program - make it your #1 priority.

I'd like to explain something. I don't want to scare ya, I want to be honest w/ you in hopes that it helps you too to be PROACTIVE w/ your recovery.

There are varying degrees of depression. Yes, the program does go into depression & the skills taught DO HELP. However, there are instances where the DEPRESSION IS A CHEMICAL IMBALANCE - varying degrees of depression. Where, 1 can find themselves needing the assistance of a depression medication. I KNOW, BECAUSE IT HAPPENED TO ME.

I completed the program for the 1st time. In addition, I had read @ least 16 books & went through 20 mths of intensive therapy. I HAD THE SKILLS. I was doing all the right things: using the skill of the program, eating healthy for the most part, exercising, surrounding myself w/ positive people,etc. You name it, I was doing it. Yet, I was still experiencing the depression @ an escating rate. I grew frustrated, "what am I doing wrong". So, after a several month break fr therapy, I went back - I didn't want to PLAY w/ the depression. I told my therapist everything, crying in frustration. He said to me, "Lenore, you are too smart to not understand. Its a hereditary chemical imbalance that is triggered by outside sources, things, or events. W/ this type of depression, you can't just TALK YOURSELF OUT OF IT. Yes, it does help - but it will not just make the symptoms go away.You are not doing anything wrong - in fact, YOU'RE DOING ALL THE RIGHT THINGS." That is the day, I started taking an anti-depressant med. I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED DEPRESSION LIKE THIS IN MY LIFE, NOR HAVE I EVER TAKEN ANY MED FOR IT. I was doing all the right things, b/4 taking the medication & yet still depressed - I needed help, something extra.

This is why I am replying to you. I too was being hard myself - thinking I was doing something wrong or NOT ENOUGH. I was wrong & I don't want you to make that same mistake. I recommend you see your regular doctor or your therapist. Tell him/her everything you're feeling & experiencing - in addition to your working the PROGRAM. GET THE HELP YOU'RE ENTITLED TO. Remember, depression LIES, EXAGERATES, DISTORTS all apects of you & your life - its like looking at the world through MUD COVERED GLASSES - it effects your quality of life. Don't be hard on yourself - you are doing all the right things & I CONGRATULATE YOU on your committment.

Best of luck.

LENORE

I know exactly what your going through.I am in the same stuation.When you get to a clinical dpression you need meds because of the brains chemical imbalane and it takes time to work.I could nt even stick to the program untilthe meds started to work.It will get better.Give the meds some time to work.

Hi there, I'm new, well just entering week 3 now of the program. I had encountered one of those fears or just avoidance behaviors, the anxiety came over me and then i was just upset with myself because i know i should face the fear and anxiety, and implement the 6 steps to handling the episodes. Now I feel i'm needing an extra boost, but perhaps i just need to be patient and keep on track. Any other suggestions would be appreciated so that i don't have a set-back. I'm not depressed, but just in a rut i think, which is due to self esteem and confidence definitely!

Dear Sfargom,
I too am completing Session 3. I too have had difficulty grasping this session but I am going to proceed to Session 4. Trying to distinguish my negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones has really been a challenge. It certainly has produced may anxiety attacks for me but I have tried to overcome them with the six steps and having positive thoughts. This has been so difficult for me because I am a negative thinker and I need to become more positive. Lucinda said on the tape that we will be dealing with these negative/positive thoughts through the rest of the program. I just hope after each session it will get a little easier. Best of luck to you.

I had the same problem when i first started.. I started journaling my negatives and begin seeing a pattern to my thinking.. So writing down the negatives and then seeing,, and writing positive to override those negatives helped me sooooooo much!!!
If you havent tried jounraling,, try it!! Its been a wonderful tool for me...

Hey again! Yea its comforting to know that we have gone or currently going thru the same feelings and difficulties while recovering from this mess of which i guess we created for ourselves! I'm definitely doing more positive thinking and journaling, so the more we practice the good habits then the easier it will come to us for getting over our bad habits.
Patience+Love+Peace+Positiveness=freedom for being happy and healthy!

I'm in session 3, just finishing up. Even as I start to write this post I can feel myself wanting to stop, and just close the window, because it will take too much effort or too much time or both.

As of late, my previous doctor and I parted ways, as she felt she had reached a wall with my progress. I am between doctors at the moment, and as a consequence one of my key medications, namely my Lexapro, has run low and I have been unable to take it regularly like I usually do.

The result?

This morning I woke at 630AM, fed my cats and went back to bed. I did not get out of bed and go to work until 9:30. Everything felt like it required so much effort. Sunday I was in bed until almost 5PM.

It is difficult to see the positive side of all of this. But just the same, trying to be compassionate with myself, I say "of course you feel tired. Your brain chemistry is all out of whack. You have an appointment with a doctor on Friday, and we'll have the scrip refilled. We'll make it until then".

I'm trying as best I can not to be too hard on myself for anything, and to replace negatives with positives. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous that the program was going to work. Just the same, I've already noticed some of the habits, like pausing in the middle of a negative thought, starting to sink in.

I want so badly for this depression to go away. I want some clarity in my life.