Also, please tell what you find beneficial about DF.

I came to DF because I suffered a traumatic experience.

I found the people at DF to be the most amazing, loving, kindest people and they greatly helped me on my path to surving and healing from my trauma.

Trace

I came to the DF because my life was becoming unmanageable again and I needed a place where I could get information and support and just let out my feelings. I couldn't have asked for a better find! This site completely exceeded my expectations.

What I find beneficial:
- The sheer size of the site...it's always active.
- The amount of forums...there's something for everything.
- The obvious thought and care that went into the creation of this site...well done!
- The availability, dedication, and compassion of the moderating team.
- THE MEMBERS...their intelligence, warmth, strength, caring, helpfulness, love, great advice, etc. I could go on and on. Even though this site is huge, everyone feels like a friend.
- The amount of ways there are to keep busy on the site.
- I've finally found a place where I feel comfortable blogging.
- The site is easy to navigate and wonderfully put together from a technical point of view. Great job, Coop!

I adore this community and am so happy to be a part of it. I've finally found a place where I can let it all down and that takes an enormous amount of weight off my psyche. I feel free to talk about anything and that is so important to me. The topics that come up are insightful, the support given is real, the advice given is invaluable, and the knowledge base is huge.

I would be in a much worse place if the DF didn't exist. I know it. My recovery is one of the most important things going on in my life and the DF is one of the most important tools in my kit.

I can't say enough how much I appreciate the existence of this site and all the people on it.

I found DF because I was working hard on my depression and I was going through a lot of changes which were challenging me. I found the community warm and inviting and, most important, POSITIVE! I've been to other forums where the members seemed to just enjoy sitting around and whining about how depressed they were, but no one seemed to be really making any effort to cope or figure out ways of living through it. This place rocks because the people here are all about the coping and managing and accepting and whatnot. I've been really glad I found this place.

millee

I'd like to add that it really helps to know that I'm not alone.

I have to do so much explaining to other people and it can get really tiresome. But then I come on the boards and the people here just get it. It's such a relief to have a place to go where people speak my "language".

I'm hoping to be understood too....
i had a traumatic experience when i was 16 and it's changed my life and who i am.I want to get back to who i was before and i'd like to make friends.
xxx

I found this site when I was at the absolute lowest point in my life. I tried opening up to family and friends and was met with a stonewall of silence (stigma) which only made me feel worse. Here, I am among people who understand what DP is like and are always caring, loving and supportive, something thats sadly missing in my offline life. Thats OK, I have DF.

I found DF because I was lonely, depressed, and scared. I needed to find caring, supportive and loving people who understood me and that is exactly what I found! The whole time I have been here, people have been so amazing to me. There is always someone on here to help when you need it most, and there is always someone you can relate to. The DF is an amazing website.

I was feeling very alone and way down and searching for depression info online and came across this site and had no idea so many people felt so much like I do and it really helped me not to feel so terribly alone!!! I LOVE the people here and they have all been such a huge blessing to me and there is a lot of info here also. Finding this place was like, one day, having noone REALLY like me and then discovering you have this huge family and even if you have differances, as we are all individuals, you STILL have SOMETHING in common with everyone here. It helps me not to think about me so much also! I LOVE DF!!!!

I found the site after a google search of 'depression support groups'. like nealy said this is a truly amazing site. it helps so much to know that i'm not alone. it's gotten me through some rough days.
the best thing is that offering support to others can be just as healing as getting support for yourself.

I wanted to go to a place where someone would listen to me indiscriminately. A place where i could let it all out without facing/hearing any judgement. Trying to make my mother understand was near impossible, her answer was always,"take your pills."
Finding this website the DF was like a prayer that was answered. The moderators and members are very supportive, understanding and most of all... caring.
It's a great place!!, everyone's like a best friend

It seems to be a place where you can say exactly how you feel without watching people cringe or looking confused. If I can say all the stuff I need to on here then it'll help me be more positive with people face to face.

I have looked for help on the internet for a long time seeking help and information on depression and they were helpful but I just needed something a bit more. I joined DF because I have seen many areas where I can seek advice on an issue and there are many topics here that are not covered elsewhere. I have been dealing with depression since i was in 9th grade which was a long time ago. I believed it to be from childhood experiences with other kids who were predjudice since i grew up in a white society here and was the only mixed child for a long time. I am hoping to be able to offer some advice on some issues that may help another who is seeking advice on issues that i might have some insight on.

I found DF because I wanted to find some other people who had experiences of the type of depression I have. I wanted to find all the information I needed in one place, and I wanted a place that didn't exclude other mental health problems. This place filled all those.

I'd like to echo what Frangipani has said, this is a great place where i always feel welcome (& i'm avoidant) and everyone is accepting of one another.

I love this site and all my DF friends

Things finally became unbearable -- so in addition to seeking medical help, I searched for a forum like this. As many others have mentioned, the thought of not being alone is of great help. I also recently came across the incel (involuntary celibacy) forum, though I'm not sure that exactly describes me. (It's more voluntary in my case, but the depression somehow brings on feelings of loneliness and makes me think I've missed out while friends are happily raising families).

I was/still am a lot black point in my life, and i googles DF and found this website. Since that day i try and logg on everyday.
You guys are so kind and careing, i didn't think like that were still around

I found DF after a break down of sorts. (From memory I think I googled depression) So glad I did. Now whenever I'm doing it tough, I always have DF in the back of my mind, along with all the awesome things I've learned from here. DF rocks!

I found DF while desperately trying to find a reason to live...it is helpful finding others that really understand and have good ways of coping.

I have for long term, increasingly more severe depression. I think I've wanted to die since I was at least 10, and have tried most everything I could think of but things don't seem to work, so I guess I'm just hoping to find something that'll help me, because I really can't live like this.

I've only just joined, I'm hoping it'll be helpful. :)

...Lost my supposed best friend, whether or not they were to begin with, I have lost there trust I feel...

Plus to give up the games, it numbed everything, even my socil life...and my spelling it seems.

Seeking help for my depression, which is a result of trauma and abuse in my past.
At time of joining I was in crisis and breaking down regularly.
Since then I have stabilised, and moved on a long way... always learning and growing.

I had just gotten my laptop & my family says they understand me & my depression but i dont think they do, the only person that does is my cousin who is also my best friend she also suffers from depression, we talk everyday & tell each other everything & what we r going through that day. But i also wanted to find some other people & talk with them about my depression & i was searching the web & came across this site I was so happy. Im always on here, i even got my cousin to come here, its comforting.

i joined so i could read what others are going through and see if they are having as bad a time as me. I'm 18 and feel totally lost in this world and i'm so alone would like to perhaps make a few friends. I'm so self conscious it drives me crazy. I feel as if the whole world is against me, and people hate me. The only form of escapism for me is alcohol which makes me a totally different person. At work i have to act like something i'm not and it's ******* me. I can't tell none of the few friends i do have because i'm so ashamed of myself for being this way. I just wish i could think differently about myself and be possitive. Always seems to be one step forward 2 back.

I came here to talk to others who are depressed and SI, but I can't access that forum for whatever reason.

Otherwise, I guess this is a decent site, save the fact that I can't access parts that I feel I need.

Wafflecake, you need to pm a moderator for the password. :)

Tried a few sites but this seemed the best. I had to get more involved with people, take more of my therapist's advice and get more active in my own recovery from apsd and anxiety.

I found DF because the place I called home many moons ago was not a welcome place any more.....................I did not feel safe there any more and home its been ever since

I use to belong to anthor Depression site but that was taken away from me bit by bit, but I wont go into lengthy detail about that, its a trioloty in itself, it was making my deprssion worse and I found that the place I once called home was not home any more because I didnt feel safe any more.. I found DF while trying to cope with my depression and find somewhere safe to be and thats what this place gave me safety, support, friendship and a place I could call home..........................So glad I found this place and all the great people!!!

Isabeau

Hi all,
I came to DF because right now I'm not leaving the house much or functioning very well and I need to find resources that I can take advantage of from my home. Also, having a place I can connect 24 hours day gives me some peace of mind.

****I am rambling here, because this is triggering me and I have never told this story. Trace, please sensor me if you feel this is inappropriate****



I was invited to join DF by another member whom I met on another support site. I value him very much, and he encouraged and helped me incredibly on the other site during that initial fear and panic and confusion a year ago.

I was initially extremely happy on that site, but I slowly started feeling as if some of the members started needling me, then hating me, and this was allowed by the mod's, and some even started taking part in it. Fortunately my friend had already left by then as they had done this to him as well, as soon as they realised that he is very well educated in psychiatry and psychology. He still sometimes visited that site, and he saw what was beginning to happen to me, recognised what had been done to other "popular" members, and he urged me away there, rather to come here.

That site was my whole life, it was my first site I joined, and at that point I could not believe what was happening. When some of those people started ganging up on me, my whole world disintegrated. I received private emails of support, but a lot of people were too scared to openly support me, for fear of that happening to them as well.

If my friend had not invited me here, almost forced me away there, I would not be alive today, because this site saved my life.

My friend had started opposing them, then became very disillusioned at that site (he was a member there long before me) and he invited me long ago already to come to DF and see how a support forum should be managed! Since joining here, I have never even visited the old site again!

People here understand that I have a different personality, come from a maverick-type culture, I have a different home language, that I write funny, but that whatever I write is always meant well, in deep caring for everyone here's suffering, and in a deep wish to make the world a better place for others if I can.

Thank you for reading this.

Now I am crying the tears of the hurt of that episode

I hope my friend is reading this

because in a weird way it makes me feel better to know i'm not the only one struggling with this on a daily basis......depression definitely makes you feel alone at times, and coming to a place like this, reading other members posts, helps to remind me that i truely am not alone

i found this place by searching for forums where i can be myself and let out my not so good emotions. Sometimes just knowing that some1 else is going through the same s*** can make me feel better. Everyone in here seems to be there for each other so i really appreciate this site.

kinda funny how i came across it ... i was googling Lindsay hospital (forgot it is called Ross Memorial) and up popped this site...and i was looking for the hospital to she if they had a crisis team....weird ehh! The world works in strange ways.

I find this much like group where everyone has their own issues but can help with others as well

My depression was getting so bad that it was progressing to psychosis I am not sure if this happens to everyone or if it is just me but anyway I was paranoid and couldn't trust anyone I knew but needed to talk to someone. So I figured people who don't know me can't hate me too bad and here I am. Kind of a sad story now that my psychosis has gone away but oh well.

I was trying to find a depression board that I can get alot of support, friendship and information. I also wanted to be round people who going through similar things as me. Also when I first came here and still do not leave the house. Some nights like tonight I stay up late and go to bed round 4 or 5am.

Trace,

I hope to find how to help myself and my husband. He is in a wheelchair with a chronic pressure sore that has not healed in two years and a week ago last Thursday lost his job of 5yrs leaving him to sign up for cobra. My husband is a proud man used to being the bread winner and now is looking into getting disability from the government. There will be a radical adjustment needed on both of our parts to keep us together and loving one another.

Thank you for caring.

littlebirdy

Hi and Welcome littlebirdy

That is a lot to go through for the both of you. You sound like a wonderful wife and may give you all the support that you need.

Trace

DFs has been a comfort. Knowing its here, a community that understands what the Glum can be like. I joined so that I would have somewhere to turn when I became aware a Glum was on the way. Unfortunately, often by the time I realise its coming on I've left it too late. Silly boy. And I just hunker down and ride it out best I can.

Thank you, Trace
Danita

I found it by googling depression forum,I think it was the same day i was diagnosed with depression.

p.s Thank you for your welcome Trace,I already feel more confident about posting.

I found this site because lately (and sporadically throughout my life) I've been having moments where I feel like I'm just one negative experience away falling down into one of my dark moods. The slightest thing can trigger it and it doesn't always have to be the same thing. Sometimes it's work, sometimes it's my family or it could be a random event that has annoyed me that I feel unable to cope with. When it happens though it's as if my world is about to cave in. It's silly really because to alot of people whatever has happened is easy for them to just shrug off and get on with it but sometimes I just can't do it and it stays on my mind for days or even weeks after, bringing back the same feeling of hopelessness.

The reasoning behind why I feel like this alot can probably be pointed towards my childhood as I was bullied and made to feel worthless for the first 7 years of my school life and it's never been dealt with. I'm 33 now by the way. As a result I'm a nervous and edgy adult with constant mood swings and other issues that have been picked up along the way. When my mood goes dark my mind and body pretty much shuts down, as it used to when I was being bullied, and my whole self simply refuses to fight back as used to happen at school. I never stood up to my bullies or fought back and I've been the same ever since in any situation. It's easier for me to give up and let someone else go in front than to fight my own corner.

In my mid 20s I got into a relationship with a woman I'd known since my late teens and it was the worst thing I could've possibly done. She was a complete uncompromising control freak and I've never had such vicious arguments in a relationship ever before. She tried to change everything she could about me. My diet, my dress sense, my hobbies, the way I eat and drink and just tried to control my entire life to change me into the person she thought I should be. In the last couple of months or our 7 month stint together I started to think 'If you want to change me that much, why not go out and find someone who likes being your doormat and leave me alone. Why be with me if I need that much improvement.' Our relationship ended on a very explosive note and the experience is still with me in my darkest moments and as with my childhood bullying experience I frequently torture myself during this time and imagine scenarios of me getting my revenge on her and the main bully from school. Clearly this is not healthy.

I have few friends which doesn't bother me too much because I do prefer my own company these days but it does make me wonder if it's normal to be this way, especially when I see people at work and talk to folks online who seem to have a huge social circle that I know I would be unable to manage.

I'm getting married in a month's time to a wonderful lady and she has suggested that I go on some sort of medication to help me. One of her friends is bipolar and she has been on medication for a few years, as has our next door neighbour since she was burgled a few years ago due to the stress it caused. I really don't want to go on medication as I don't want to become dependant on it and never be able to get of it again. It scares me that it won't work and I'll end up being passed from med to med. I'm really not a fan of any kind of drug and prefer to just try to let my body heal itself wherever possible.

My relationship with my fiancee is ok although I do play alot of computer games in my spare time and it's my only escape and the only thing that calms me down. The amount of time I spend online is an issue though and my fiancee has said one or two times that it'll be the end of us. She works alot of hours and is constantly tired, and I'm currently off work with anxiety/stress. I like my job most of the time but I've recently been transferred back to a department that I really can't stand and on my first day back I had a bit of an episode and I left the office, went to my doctor and she signed me off. I'm dreading going back next week and I'm wondering if I should just go back to my doctor and get more time off. If I keep doing that though will I ever go back? If that happens we'll lose our house because my fiancee can't afford the mortgage payments on her own and it'll most likely be the end of us too.

I'll stop typing here as I've gone on far too long and probably bored most of you. Hopefully though some of this might sound familiar to someone and they may know the best way for me to start getting myself out of this mess.