4 years of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy taught me that the strength to pull ourselves from depressive episodes. No shrink, no drug, no miracle worker save God in what ever form you think he takes can save you. God has given the power and the strength of a sound mind to pull ourselves from these things, and if you believe in him, then use that power.

Radical acceptance is one tool to use to survive. It is when we look at the adversity which has overwhelmed us and find that we are still alive, we realise that it truly had not over come us but by grief. The transition process was disasterous for me and many like me. Still, after years, we wake up and find that we yet survive.

Opposite Action is where we do something completely oposite to how we feel. Many times I have felt like giving up, only to find amazing and miraculous relief in simply going for a walk, a hot bath with scented candles, praying to God, or calling someone who is worse off than us and trying to encourage them. I had such an episode the other day and talked to someone on the phone, and 10 minutes later I was laughing with them.

I can tell you that I was hospitalized 5 times and I won't tell you how many serious attempts I made. I was a disgraceful mess for four years afterward, and I have to admit that there were often people here who helped me to pull through.

I know that you can ride this out, and you must participate in your own survival and recovery. If you can afford it get a book on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy eithe at a book store or at your Public Library. It may seem stupid and hokey at first, but it works, but you have to participate.

Much peace

Khadijah