49% Cherokee and Choctaw here. I have had depression and anxiety since I was a very small child. I am not a member of a tribe yet, because I haven't taken the time to get that part of my life done. Depression is draining. I am so much better than I was. I finally found a really great counselor who believes in me. I practice mindfulness. I pray and meditate. I live gratitude and thankfulness. I have much to be thankful for and try to share what helps me with others. I hope that we have a chance to connect again. We can learn much from each other. We can help each other.

Hello @mamasitalucita

I so appreciate your sharing your struggles (as well as your tools) for dealing with depression and anxiety. I am so happy for you that you found a counselor who understands you. I am also grateful that you have found the tools of mindfulness, meditation, gratitude and thankfulness to be helpful to you. I think of these as the contents for your tool-bag to help you deal with your depression and anxiety. We probably all have different tools for dealing with these feelings and I'm so glad that you shared yours.

We have a couple of discussion groups dealing with ways of relieving depression and anxiety. Here are links to those discussions, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/depression-and-alternative-treatments/ and https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/doing-things-to-relieve-depression-motivation-and-ideas/

You have added greatly to our group! I look forward to hearing from you again!

Teresa

Hi @ mamasitalucita. Thank you for your story, but I would love to hear more of it. I initially thought Hispanic ancestry when I saw your name and because I know just enough spanish(written) to be dangerous, I was curious and now more so. I also appreciate the way you describe your life now. If I can focus on others through gratitude and sharing and kindness, I spend so much less time thinking about what I can not do or don't want to do. Thank you for your very encouraging words and I really would love for you to tell me and all of our members more about you and your life. So nice to virtually meet you!
Gary

Thank you for sharing. It is great to have a good counselor. I have found great understanding in my primary doctor. I too practice mindfulness, prayer and meditation. I know these practices are my salvation. You are right, we can learn from each other and we can help each other.

Thank you for your response!  I find it to be so encouraging to hear from others who walk the same path as I do.  We learn from each other.

Oh, trust me, it is my pleasure!  Thank you so much for your quick response and the rest of your message!  I am scattered, having been told by my GP that he really doesn't want me taking ADHD Medicine.  I think I would be able to focus more however, if I did take it.  I am also on the Autism Spectrum, having discovered late in life why I am the way I am.  I am an Autism Advocate, retired from the school system.  I was a Social Worker for some years, and now am a Certified Pastoral Counsellor. I love helping others however I can, because I know how important it is to have that connection with other people.  Please, let's keep in touch on here and support our bothers and sisters on this journey.

Thank you so very much for your kind words!  There are so many things that are in my "tool kit" for managing depression and anxiety.  I have only begun to scratch the surface, and plan to add more as I grow and change daily. Structure helps tremendously, of course.  Having both ADHD and Autism, My little brain is assaulted daily from the screaming noises of life in civilization! I suspect my anxiety comes a lot from my heightened senses.  I hear off the charts, and every other sense is magnified.  I spend a lot of energy just dealing with this world on a daily basis.  My depression used to be so bad, I can only say that it is a miracle I am still here.  And that is why I want so much to help others who are made of the same stuff I am.  Again, thanks for sharing!  Blessings and joy.

I have a wonderful family doctor.  He listens to me, really cares, and goes the second mile.  He doesn't take offense at my questions, or the fact that I do research on whatever is going on with me.  I believe we should be informed consumers, most importantly about things concerning our health!  Peace and blessings.

@mamasitalucita

What an interesting collection of diagnoses - ADHD and Autism Spectrum. I'm sure that you will be able to help a lot of people as a Certified Pastoral Counselor and Autism Advocate. I've been a Stephen Minister for many years and I know how it has helped me to care for myself and others.

Keep sharing - your thoughts are very helpful to our discussions!

Teresa

The term "toolbox" in reference to things we carry in our personality, skills we have, wisdom we have gained was coming into vogue at the end of my years in upper management. I love the way you use it to refer to things you use to combat anxiety and depression @mamasitalucita. I think I will borrow that if you don't mind when discussing with other people afflicted and when trying to explain to others what we all are attempting to do to make more people aware of the devastating effects of mental health deficiencies and what can be done about to help. Thanks for reminding me of the different use of the term.
Blessings, Gary