What do I have to be thankful for when it comes to depression? Quite a bit, I discovered, when I sat down to make a list.
*I am thankful that I am being treated for depression. Before I was diagnosed with depression, before I was treated, I lived in a gray and brown world. That’s the way things seemed: no color, little light, dull and lifeless. Hopeless. Though I’ve had periods of depression even after I started treatment, even though I have bad times, I’ve never fully returned to that gray and brown world.
*I am thankful for the treatments that are available. I’m thankful for the medications and therapies that have been developed for use with depression. I’m thankful for the intelligent minds and compassionate hearts that have tried to find ways to combat this disease.
*I’m thankful for doctors and therapists that have helped me in the past and today. I’ve had some bad luck with providers, but overall, I’ve had some good ones, and a few excellent ones. Right now, I have a couple of excellent providers who help me weather the depression.
*I’m thankful that I can afford to pay for medication and therapy. I’m thankful I have health insurance to help me do that.
*I’m thankful for close friends who have listened to me through the years and offered support and encouragement without judgment. I’m thankful for the blogging community and the friends I’ve made through blogging. I have received so much inspiration and hope.
*I’m thankful for my cats. Their presence is always a comfort, and they teach me about love and life every day.
*I’m thankful for my husband. My world is beautiful for knowing him and having him in my life. He loves me, depression and all. I love him.
*I’m thankful for the hope in my heart. I hold on to that hope when the darkness comes around.
I am thankful I was able to drag myself out of bed to get a run and shower in before the rest of the family was up. It's nice to have my workout done for the day.
ReplyDeleteIf we ever meet up, I will bring you some cinnamon bread!
I am going to hold you to that, Lisa! :-)
DeleteWhat a wonderful Thanful List, Tina! A very precious one indeed. I can appreciate everyone of your thankful items so very much as they ring true for me also.... except for I have only 1 cat :)
ReplyDeleteBlessing & the Love of Jesus fill your heart full!
Thank you so much, Deanna!
DeleteMy one thing I'm thankful today is you! I really appreciate our "virtual" friendship. You are a kind, supportive, and wise voice in my life and I'm grateful. You bring a lot of light and sunshine to the world around you.
ReplyDeleteI have also found that having gratitude in general helps me to fight depressive/OCD thoughts. I often have to make a conscious choice to focus on those things, but it is one of the tools I use to fight the scary thoughts in my head.
I am thankful for you too Sunny!
DeleteSunny, I am so touched--thank you!
DeleteI am going to steal Sunny's line and say I am thankful for you Tina..you have made me feel less alone on my journey through OCD.
ReplyDeleteAw, right back at ya, Krystal Lynn!!!!
DeleteKrystal, thank you so much! You and Sunny and my other blogging friends are sooooo special to me!
DeleteI am really grateful for the online OCD, depression, and mental health community which encourages, challenges, supports and understands me and all the other sufferers out there.
ReplyDeleteI love your depression gratitude list. I used to practice gratitude a lot, need to get back into it. I especially like what you said about never completely going back to that awful gray and brown place - that is something I hold onto for myself as well.
Thank you! I hold on to that thought myself, that I will not go back to the gray and brown place.
DeleteWonderful post Tina! I always get so encouraged by your writings.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for the same things you are and especially for my husband who never gives up on me.
Klaaske, It's wonderful to have someone who supports us like that, isn't it?
DeleteI agree. There is so much to be thankful for. I am constantly amazed when I look at my life and how blessed I am. There are trials, yes we all have our cross to bear but things could be so much worse. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI try to remember that, Grace, that things could be worse.
DeleteBeautiful post!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elizabeth! :-)
DeleteSo much to be thankful for, but for now I am thankful for the members of this online blogging community. When some of us are down the ones that are up encourage us, but also empathize.
ReplyDeleteYaya, I am thankful for the online community, too. You're right--we can empathize with each other and encourage each other.
DeleteSusan, that's a wonderful gratitude list! Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful I finally found friends who understand depression. Thank you for being one of them
ReplyDeleteI am honored to be your friend, Nikky. Thank you.
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