Hi @annepage :)
I was just discussing this exactly point with someone else not long ago. There are so many cases in which depressive states could be reversed if only the person had a supportive network of loving, caring people. I, myself, believe that Mr. B would not have got to the state he did if he had his wife, children and parents with him. The feeling of rejection played a huge role in worsening his mood disorder. I am SO pleased to hear you are one of the few privileged who not only have this sort of support, but also are aware of it!
The first part of your comment reminds me very much of mindfulness, which is not a therapeutic approach per se; but, that is being increasingly adopted by therapists nowadays. It draws its philosophy from Buddhism; and, therefore, sees sadness/suffering as an inevitable, unavoidable aspect of life. According to mindfulness; those who actually fight this are the ones who end up suffering more. As for those who actually embrace it, they end up finding inner peace (You might just have given me an idea for my next post! :D).
Thanks you for presenting your experience here. It will indeed motivate and encourage others!
All the best :)
Yes, indeed. I am so blessed. And because of my gratefulness, I wish to give back by helping others too.
You're absolutely right.It reminds me of what my best friend told me at that time when I used to say "I no longer feel like myself anymore. I am no longer the cheerful person that I once was." He said, "It is still YOU. The SAD YOU; the IMPERFECT YOU. Just another SIDE OF YOU. You have to accept the reality that you can't be perfect. You have to embrace your negative side too and understand it."
It enlightened me actually to accept the reality that life has a lot of ups and downs, and I can't expect to be happy always. Only when you start to accept something, that you actually fully understand it. I hope people would come to realize all these things and also accept their negative sides.
Thank you for your responses. I got a lot of insights!
Kudos to you! :)