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[person]

Hello, I just signed up. I really don't like talking about myself, which is kind of one of my biggest issues, I don't let people in. It's kind of why I decided to join this forum. I was diagnosed with depression when I was a teenager, I took an AD for like 2 months but was taken off of it, My parents told me it was all in my head. Now I am 25 and after many years of struggling with depression, and then anxiety which developed a couple of years ago, I have decided I owe it to the people I care about, especially my daughter, to try getting help. I started lexipro today, but don't really have the money for therapy so I'm just reading self help books and using the CBT Diary App. Any advice as far as self help methods go? 
Anyways, thanks for reading this, posting this is hard for me.

[xmo]

Hi and welcome!

You know, I was at the book store the other day where I got a book called "Overcoming Bipolar Disorder." It's a work book aimed at recognizing symptoms and shit and moving toward bettering your life. I also saw similar work books specifically geared towards depression. Have you ever used one of these kinds of books? I really like mine. I thought I would suggest looking into getting a depression workbook (or 2 or 3, there are a couple of them - they range between $20 and $25 USD) to help you in addition to your meds (given you can't afford therapy). I know therapy is important, and therapists do great things, but it's kinda bullshit how much they charge to sit down and talk. I'm lucky in that I have insurance that covers my therapy (for now) but I really think this workbook is gonna help me - especially if I ever get my life together (as I fear that if or when I do get my life together I will be cut off of my meds and therapy because of the insurance I have now (MediCal) going away so I feel I am taking preventive measures with this book).

No worries about opening up to people. I'm the same way sometimes. Take your time. We'll all be here when you're ready. I consider CB a sort of group therapy, as, it is a peer support site. So, even though you can't see a legitimate therapist, you've got plenty of people here who know what you're going through and that, IMO, can be just as helpful (if not, in some cases, more).

Again, welcome!

[olga]

person, welcome to Crazyboards.

It's admirable that you have a desire to help yourself, and I'm sorry you can't afford therapy.  Have you checked with your local Mental Health Association, Dept. of Social Services and other public agencies?  They might have free or sliding-scale counseling that could be manageable.

I hope you enjoy hanging out with us.  If you want some advice about depression and anxiety self-care, post a specific question about it in the appropriate forum.  (I should be clearer about this---post questions about depression in the Depression forum, and ones about Anxiety in that forum.)  You could also look through the existing threads, because good self-care is something we talk about all the time.  That, and cats!  And dogs!   Lots of animal-lovers in this place.

olga

[person]

Thanks Olga, Well I do love cats and dogs so I think I can contribute to those discussions without many issues. lol And thanks for the idea about the social services department. I'm going to check down there, but if I can't find anything I might talk to my college psychology department.
And thanks XMO for the workbook idea. I've been looking around on Amazon and found a few that I wan to try out.
Thank you both for the warm welcome.
 

[Phoenix_Rising]

Hello and Welcome to Crazyboards!

I think you'll find that this is a very supportive community; I'm glad you decided to reach out.

You might also try looking for anxiety/depression support groups in your community.  Talking with people who share your difficulties can be quite empowering and meaningful.