Visit from Dr. Vickery, mindfulness, and GLAD

We had the great pleasure of hosting Dr. David Vickery this past Monday.  What an honor and privilege it was to hear about the latest scientific research regarding neuroplasticity and neuron regeneration.  One of the biggest discussion topics was about how Mindfulness Meditation practices can help lessen the severity of depression symptoms.  Dr. Vickery talked about how the Benson's Relaxation Techniques have been scientifically shown to greatly benefit those who suffer from Depression.  He left us with a homework assignment to begin implementing GLAD into our daily lives.  http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/buildingselfesteem/2014/10/do-negative-thoughts-consume-your-mind-try-this-technique/.  Mindfulness can also work for those who have Bipolar disorder too. Dr. William R. Marchand, MD, has published the book "Mindfulness for Bipolar Disorder" which discusses in depth the techniques and benefits of mindfulness.

If you have been diagnosed with a mood disorder and are looking for a support group, we would love to have you.  You can contact us at (731) 215-7200.  We meet every Monday starting at 6:30pm hosted inside The Life Church located off of Hwy. 18 headed towards Boliver.  

DBSA Tennessee: Your Support Helped DBSA Impact Two Million Lives

                                                DBSA TENNESSEE

                                                   731-215-7200

State officers and local chapter leaders:

Forwarded email below: Together let's feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in being a part of a vital organization that touches so many lives. Personally, I thank each of you for making a difference in thousands of lives in Tennessee. In 2014, I believe we will touch an even greater number of lives here at home and across our country!

Respectfully,

Steve Brannon, B.A., M.Ed., D.Div.

DBSA Tennessee

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance <webmaster@dbsalliance.org>
Date: November 11, 2013 at 10:00:13 AM CST
To: sbrannon@dbsatennessee.org
Subject: Your Support Helped DBSA Impact Two Million Lives
Reply-To: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance <webmaster@dbsalliance.org>

Tennessee, I'm pleased to share the many ways your gift to DBSA has positively impacted more than two million people as we: Recognize our past success in the DBSA 2012 Annual Impact Report Celebrate current DBSA programming and exciting new partnerships Envision a future in which individuals with mood disorders live in wellness, not illness DBSA 2012 Annual Impact Report 2012 was a pivotal year for DBSA. Not only did we build organizational strength, we improved and expanded our core programming and developed new offerings centered on our three strategic initiatives for 2012: Therapeutic Alliance—Highlighted by Concordance 2012, a dynamic discussion between clinicians and peers about changing the nature of collaborative care to reflect joint partnership Community Engagement—Demonstrated by the inaugural launch of the DBSA +6 Campaign, six months of positive actions to connect to your health and community Innovation—Represented by the launch of WeSearchTogether.org, an online portal that bridges the gap between people living with depression or bipolar disorder and the researchers whose discoveries can improve their lives and futures With your support, DBSA shared information, gave personal support, and provided life-saving tools and hope to more than two million people in 2012. Thank you! Read report and/or learn more about 2012 programs. DBSA 2013 Programs and Partnerships On October 16, DBSA announced exciting news: as of January 2014, The Balanced Mind Foundation (TBMF's) parent-, teen-, and family-focused programming will become part of DBSA's menu of programs and services. This new partnership mirrors the theme of the DBSA 2013 National Conference and much of DBSA's 2013 programming—that we are truly "Stronger Together" both as peers and as organizations with common goals. This focus on collaboration is further highlighted by our: Partnering with Families for Depression Awareness (FFDA) to launch CareForYourMind.org, an online forum for peers and family members to learn from, and share their opinions and experiences with, experts influencing mental health legislation, policy, and regulations Joining forces with the National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) to bring the peer perspective to Washington D.C. during Hill Day 2013 Collaborating with the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) on a groundbreaking full day of interactive joint programming during the DBSA 2013 National Conference and the 2013 International Conference on Bipolar Disorders Working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to train more than 540 Veteran peer specialists in 2013 Teaming up with the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) on Say It Forward 2013, an anti-stigma campaign focused on breaking the chains of stigma through education and awareness. With your support, we've opened new doors for peers and families to be heard and supported by government, the mental health system, clinicians, and each other. Thank You! View the DBSA and TBMF announcement video and/or read press release. DBSA in 2014 and Beyond One quiet, but significant, project of the DBSA Board and staff was the development of the DBSA 2013-2017 Strategic Plan, which reflects our new vision of wellness for people living with mood disorders. The plan also reflects a new set of values and establishes tactics to support three strategic directions for DBSA moving forward: Peer Focus Advocacy Organizational Effectiveness Personally, and on behalf of DBSA, I thank you for your support of our past accomplishments, our present success, and our future vision to help individuals living with mood disorders to thrive! I look forward to sharing more about 2014: The Year of Thriving soon! With sincere appreciation, Allen Doederlein President Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) 730 N. Franklin Street, Suite 501 Toll-free: (800) 826-3632 Chicago, Illinois 60654-7225 Fax: (312) 642-7243

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Holistic Approach to Overcoming Thoughts of Suicide

I found this article to be very much inline with the concepts we put forward in our inspirational support group approach to recovery and wellness.  Be well and live well!

Overcoming Thoughts of Suicide

  By Linney Elder

"You are given the gift of the gods; you create your reality according to your beliefs; yours is the creative energy that makes your world; there are no limitations to the self except those you believe in."- JANE ROBERTS - SETH

Chronic sadness, or grief, if not understood and dealt with may lead to depression and eventually to thoughts of suicide. I've been there.I know what it feels like and how hard it is to pull yourself back from that awful dark place.

I've experienced feelings of hopelessness in varying degrees from despondence, to despair and if I look back I can see the downward spiral of events that took me into the pit of depression.

Darkness is defined as the "absence of light".Surely then the way to combat the darkness is to "turn on the light".

The light could take the form of an idea or goal, a person,a book, a piece of music, an inspiring movie, or holistic healing of some kind.

When I was experiencing chronic depression, I didn't understand what was happening at first. I was experiencing all sorts of physical symptoms as well as depressing, dark thoughts.

I couldn't sleep, I lost my appetite, and I jumped for the slightest reason and had panic attacks when my heart would race. I cried for the slightest reason, I lost my train of thought in the middle of sentences, my concentration levels in general dropped, I felt tired all the time and my eyes were red, sunken and black ringed.

My skin colour became pasty. My hair was lifeless with no shine. I dragged myself out of bed and through my days. Basically, I hated my life and the person I had become. I could see no way forward out of the dark space I was in and that just made everything so much worse. I felt dreadfully alone. I didn't think anyone cared, or understood how awful I was feeling.

The harder I tried to do everything right and keep everyone happy, the more exhausted I felt and the worse the downward spiral became.

I eventually went to my local library in desperation and found various books on stress and depression, and that was where I began to  recognise the symptoms I was experiencing. I realised I needed help, but I was so glad to find that I was not losing my mind after all!

Then a good friend suggested I might try a session of hypnotherapy, to help me relax. Hypno what? I had never tried anything like that before and felt a bit silly having to explain to a stranger why I was sitting in his therapy room. But as we talked I began to release the pent up emotions of frustration and anger, hopelessness and despair. Gradually, the cleansing tears began to flow and the healing process began.

I went for three sessions of hypnotherapy and they really did save my life. It helped me to relax initially, then to go into a deeper relaxed space where I could let go of some of the stress and finally into a very deep state where I found absolute peace.

It helped me to see things more objectively and to realise that I had been putting all the pressure on myself. The choices were all down to me. I didn't need to be the perfect wife, mother, daughter, sister,secretary and all the rest...

I immediately requested a transfer at work to a less pressured position, shortened my work hours a bit, stopped being so fussy and servile at home and learned to take one day at a time. I discovered homeopathic Rescue Remedy drops for those moments when I could feel myself becoming tense and over-emotional. I learned the value of deep breathing when panic attacks threatened to overwhelm me.

I began taking the dogs for walks on the beach and getting out more. I started painting and doing creative hobbies, which I found relaxing. I began writing in my journals again, which was such a therapeutic way for me to safely express what I was feeling, knowing that only I would read it.

Then I discovered the benefits of meditation. I could feel I was on my way back to a more balanced, happier, relaxed outlook. It took a long while, a lot of patience and inner-work, but I eventually began to like my life again - bit by bit.

The following words describe the downward and subsequent upward spiral that I experienced while going through depression and then finding my way back to the light.

Downwards:

• Fear

• Frustration

• Anger

• Overwhelmed / controlled

• Blame

• Hate

• Trapped

• Despondency

• Hopelessness

• Loneliness

• Despair

• Suicide

Upwards:

• Acceptance

• Surrender

• Face the fears

• Take responsibility

• Seek help moving forward - mental, emotional and physical

• Understand

• Express - creatively

• Release beliefs / people

*  Forgiveness

• Learn to love / respect yourself

• Set new personal boundaries

• Surround yourself with positive people / community

• Plan

• List of achievable goals

• Take action - co-create your life one small step at a time

• Fun and Joy!

If you are experiencing thoughts of such hopelessness that you would rather cease living, you need to talk to someone right away! Don't wait. Find someone, anyone, to talk to. It often happens that a problem shared and worked through with someone else's loving, non-judgmental input can help  you to find clarity and a way forward.

Overcoming thoughts of suicide is possible! Suicide is not the answer.

I wish you blessings of light.

Linney

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Entering the Silence as a Path to Wellness

For the past eight years, I have lived a life that is satisfying and fulfilling in many ways.  After years of working to find my way through what seemed like a maze, it was like a gift from above to find myself in the land of blue skies. I give credit to the medical professionals, mental health professionals, and medications and natural health remedies.  However, my biggest appreciation goes to the practice of meditation and contemplation.  Yes, these two are different things.  I include both in my spiritual practices that make up my spiritual life.  In the practice of contemplation, I read inspirational materials and quietly think about the things I read. Without a doubt, it is the time I spend in the stillness and silence of meditation that give me the biggest rewards in my whole person – body, mind, heart and spirit.  I found this article in the bp magazine.  Here I offer another consumer’s words about the many benefits to meditation.

“The keen sound of silence”

I had expected that medication alone could treat my bipolar disorder, but it did not and cannot. This is because medication can’t make me build a life, change a behavior, or modify a relationship. This is a column about silence. To me silence is about “quieting the mind”. Silence isn’t about remaining in a soundless environment, but making a trip toward it. Silence is a connector – to myself, to God, to community, to love. It has a therapeutic value. Both within and following silence, I can slow down my responses, resist temptation, navigate around triggering events, and choose new thoughts and behaviors. Silence also has spiritual value – I use it as a form of prayer. I ask the universe to consider me and that I might hear wisdom. Silence is also free, non-prescription, multipurpose, in abundance, and available 24 hours a day. There’s enough for all of us.                                                    Lizzie Simon – writer, producer, and guest lecturer