Dual Diagnosis Support Group

Hello everyone,I was at my therapist yesterday and he says I am very depressed. However I didn't realize it,I just thought I was tired from meds and being overweight and dealing with life and being busy. He says I need to take more time for myself,easier said than done. He wants me to work on dual diagnosis stuff,whatever that is. I know I need to work on my steps some more,but every sparing moment I get I want to rest. It is scarey ,I have this voice inside of my head,which is my voice,saying sleep over and over. I don't want to use drugs or drink ,I have not had any cravings with this state I am in. I am grateful I don't want to self medicate,that is half the battle won to feeling and getting better.

Has anyone not known you are depressed or that you are in an illness and not known it? I would like to hear from you and how you got better and how you dealt with it.

Thanks for being here for me.

Kris

You can be depressed and not realise it-definatly!! I have found certainly with myself that it's not untill you are coming out the other end of depression that you realise you have been poorly.my advice is anti depressants if it is possible for you to use them.? I think it gives you the boost of serotonin that you need.afterall it is a chemical unbalance-that is triggered by something differant to every person.if you are sleeping I suggest you sleep untill u can't anymore-please think about meds-it helps hugs c

I've always known the depression, always. But I have not long gained insight into hypomania and then mania. Mania doesn't come knocking anymore. To be perfectly honest and i know I have been sober and bipolar aware far shorter than you, but depression And being busy doesn't quite seem to fit? He may well be right, but perhaps a physical check up could be useful before jumping to the mental conclusion.Perhaps you are just tired. Do you feel depressed? You aren't writing like someone depressed. It usually stands out a mile when someone is - lots of insecurity, hopelessness yadda yadda.Anyway I variously feel like poo right now, my smoking cessation is going through a rough patch. I have three different help groups, including this one , going plus AA realworld.Four lifeboats and my wife is being more tolerant than the Dali Lama. And as to my experience of not knowing about my illness I could write a blog about it -in fact I have

Can I read your blog Harry g

That is just it,I don't feel hopeless or sad,etc. That is what confusing me on the diagnosis. I don't feel the inner joy I used to but I think that is because I stopped going to AA a little while ago,I need to go back and can't seem to get myself to go. Therapist says that is because I am depressed. I feel very content in my life. Yes you are right Harry G I didn't know I was bipolar my entire life. I was hypo-manic or manic as long as I could remember. I guess I am asking if anyone has been depressed and didn't know. Thanks for the insight and comments.

Kris

I'm always suspicious of people who tell us how we feel. Get back to the meetings and you'll feel better whether depressed or not. That is my experience. I haven't been able to get to a meeting all week because of my wife's shifts and me looking after our daughter.My brain has been climbing the walls. I got to one tonight and was lifted right out of my shell. AA might not make me feel better all the time, but it makes me feel better about being unwell sometimes.

Just getting out of the house can get you out of a depression, if we are stuck too long in one place we get depressed, We need to keep life interesting and do new things all the time and not fall in the rut of depression