Quotable Quotes from My "Groupmates"

Still on my support group. Yesterday, I took down notes and here are some of the things I
I could relate to...

...I could not understand why I could not get out of my depression

...There are so many things I want to do. I am a creative person. I start a project, then drop it.

...Flitting from one project to another

...I was up from 2 am till evening...unfinished projects up to 10 term papers. Did not finish any

...I went from one job to another. I couldn't find my niche

...My deepest depression is to stop teaching

...I was depressed due to love-related and financial factors

...I could not explain why I was depressed when I am full of blessings

...I had mixed emotions - depression, anger, anxiety

Or which I found beautiful...

...our sharing leads to a better understanding of our condition

...friendship is a positive source of support

...be friends with your own kind

...what we're doing is talk therapy, talking things out

...I never stopped teaching, it is my therapy. It reminds you of your responsibility to others.

...sharing helps me as a person. It helps me get through

...when you love someone, you can conquer everything

Indeed, there is strength and comfort in numbers. Need a support group? Find one or form one!

Among My Kind

Today, I attended a meeting of my support group of bi-polar patients. Like the first time, I enjoyed myself thoroughly.

As there were new members, each one introduced himself/herself and said something about his/her experiences. I, of course, could relate to most of what they were saying. And I could empathize with everyone.

Many began with "I will make mine short only" but ended up with a rather long account of what happened in the past and/or the near future. It is indeed talk therapy and I felt good being among my kind.

I also had an "ulterior motive" for being present in the meeting. I wanted inputs to my script about a bi-polar patient. In particular, I wanted to know what is the usual reactions of other people, including family members upon finding out that one has a mood disorder.

[I am asking your help, too, my dear readers. Just answer two questions: What do you know of bi-polar mood disorder? What do you think of people who have such a condition?
Pretty please? You can write your answers through the comments section of this particular post.]

There was sharing of food - cookies, turon, softdrinks, peanuts, etc. No meeting is complete without food!

The meeting ended with a short lecture based on the first chapter of our official "textbook". I was tasked to conduct the next lecture.

I thank God for our psychiatrist, Dr. L. who helped put together the group. We are all benefitting from it.

How truly blessed I am!

The Rapy

Yup. You read right. The title says "The Rapy". But I'm just trying to be cute (not that I have to try too hard).

Today, I did things that would definitely fall under "therapy" and would delight my psychiatrist. These are...

...I "communicated" with someone I love and threshed things out with that person

...I attended a party (even if I was not officially invited) and got out of the condo

...I ate delicious food including lechon, buttered vegetables with quail eggs, rellenong manok, fish fillet, pancit canton, fruits with Coke Zero at the party

...I listened to great entertainment (a duo sang Beatles songs and a famous instrumentalist played heavenly music)

Best of all, I joined a support group for bi-polar patients like me. It was my first time to attend such a group. I really felt like I "belonged" - in more ways than one. I shared my story as briefly as possible (20 minutes tops). I found the other sharings very interesting, too, but I can't re-share them with you.


There is a book that we shall be studying and different persons will be assigned to lecture to the group. We are also forming an e-group for further communication. Some days, we might have some role-playing/acting, singing, etc. I just know I will have great fun with the group.

God is good. Very good. He turns the worst of crises into the best of times.