Would like to reintroduce myself (been gone a long time)

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melindaville

Well-Known Member
Nov 14, 2011
307
1,065
Boston and San Francisco
Hi Everyone,

Please believe me when I say that I am not trying to make a dramatic post here but I'd just like to reintroduce myself to everyone.

I don't think most people would remember me but I posted here quite a while back and with some frequency.

I've had a rough five-year patch. I suffer from depression and have gone through a particularly hard spell for the last five years. I talk openly about this because it has been a lifetime struggle and there is such stigma surrounding this (and other mental health issues) that I think it's important to 'normalize' depression. After all, more people missed work due to depression last year than all other physical illnesses alone (although depression can have physical symptoms as well as psychological ones). I have learned much in the last five years though--about myself, about how to treat depression before it has a chance to settle in, and about mindfulness and being grateful.

There are so many nice people here and some of you have been so lovely in welcoming me, whether you remember me or not. I remember most of the long time members and it's really great to see everyone again.

xo, Melinda (aka melindaville).
 

carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
Great post melindaville. I suffer from General Anxiety Disorder. Needless to say, depression is part of it. With the help of a good therapist and a great support system, I have learned to live with it. It's not easy sometimes but it can be done. Thanks for posting this and being so honest. It's a great step in the right direction of getting the word out there.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
No, I was always Melindaville. I remembered my email address and password. I keep them all in a spreadsheet. I did have a different picture but it's been quite a long time since I posted (I believe it was just after 11/22/63 came out).
we-like-you.jpg
 

melindaville

Well-Known Member
Nov 14, 2011
307
1,065
Boston and San Francisco
Great post melindaville. I suffer from General Anxiety Disorder. Needless to say, depression is part of it. With the help of a good therapist and a great support system, I have learned to live with it. Its not easy sometimes but it can be done. Thanks for posting this and being so honest. It's a great step in the right direction of getting the word out there.

Thank YOU for sharing your own GAD--that's a killer as I have anxiety issues as well. I have been working with a great therapist for almost 3 years now, something I should have done a long time ago. For many years, I masked my depression with medications (I used to be a heroin addict and was homeless for a while). Today, I'm a psychologist (and a writer). I feel it is so important for people to talk about this. It should be as comfortable for a person to talk about depression as it is for them to talk about getting migraines.

Here's a (((((((hug))))). I'm so glad you have a network of support and a good therapist. And thank you again.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
No, I was always Melindaville. I remembered my email address and password. I keep them all in a spreadsheet. I did have a different picture but it's been quite a long time since I posted (I believe it was just after 11/22/63 came out).
Well, I'm glad you found your way home. You have overcome a lot to become a psychologist. And it sounds like you are a good one who knows what she is talking about. Unfortunately, there are so many bad ones out there.
 

melindaville

Well-Known Member
Nov 14, 2011
307
1,065
Boston and San Francisco
Well, I'm glad you found your way home. You have overcome a lot to become a psychologist. And it sounds like you are a good one who knows what she is talking about. Unfortunately, there are so many bad ones out there.

Dana Jean, you are so right; there are a ton of poor psychologists out there and I've met my share. I'm not really a clinical psychologist; I teach psychology and human development to college students but my primary work has been with children who have survived sexual abuse. That is what feeds my soul. And thank you for the warm welcome. I appreciate it.