I, like many other people suffer from depression. I am only now starting to be able to admit it to others and myself mainly because I thought that I was a strong person and somehow I feel that I have lost that. Many things have gone wrong to get me to this point but the thing that has happened that is right is finding Garys music. I can relate to many of the topics and emotions in his songs and I find some comfort in that. I hope that he does make another trip to Australia as I would love to see him perform and possibly say thank you.

I two suffer from depression & taking meds for it ..
Garys music is healing me in so many ways ..

I also hope that your seeing a doctor for this also ..
I also hope/pray that Gary gets to Australia very soon ..

TRUST IN THE LORD ABOVE AND YOUR FRIENDS ALSO

LHF 08 -- My Name Is Joni -- Keep In Touch Anytime --

I feel your pain. Sorry you are dealing with depression. Don't feel bad talking about it. It's very hard to get through and so many people understand and know what you're going through. Sending hugs and prayers your way. God bless.

Sorry you are not feeling like yourself. Don't be afraid to talk about it alot of us do understand and are there for you. Yes Gary's music can help and heal you.
Good luck and feel better soon.

BrokenWings -- good for you for sharing that you have depression!!!!! I don't know how things are in Australia but in my part of the world, society tends to frown upon speaking about it. Which is completely wrong -- it is the exact opposite of what the "disease" of depression needs to recover. So again, good for you.

And as LHF 08 mentioned, I too hope you are seeing a doctor about how you feel. Depression is a disease and one that is very treatable. I too suffer from depression but have recently found a great combination of medications that work for me. I am "happy" to report that I am now in my 4th month of actually wanting to be alive and enjoying life. The people on these Gary Allan boards have helped tremendously although they most likely don't even know it -- they are fun, warm, friendly, welcoming people and these boards became a real "happy place" for me to spend time while going through my recovery last year.

So BrokenWings please, please, please keep talking -- tell your doctor, tell your friends and tell your family how you feel. There is help out there and you can find your strength again. I'd be delighted to talk to you also if you've any questions about my experience or just need to share your own feelings.

In your own words: Stay Strong!!

Just wanted to say a huge thanks for all your emails. They mean much more than you could know. I have been in a really dark place. A place that I never thought that I could or would ever be in but I am slowly getting out of it so I, like all of you, really like this website and appreciate everyones advice.

Stay safe

JUST WANTED TO SAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THIS TERRIBLE DISEASE!!!! JUST KNOW I AM PRAYING FOR EACH OF YOU AND IF YOU NEED ANYTHING JUST LET ME KNOW!!!

Thanks so much -- that's very kind!!

Keep smiling!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THANKS SO VERY MUCH -- THATS VERY THOUGHTFUL OF YOU WKOF --
YES ITS A TERRRIBLE DISEASE TO HAVE--THAT I'LL HAVE MY WHOLE LIFE --

TRUST IN THE LORD ABOVE AND GARY ALLAN MUSIC IS A HEALER FOR ME

To my fellow depression survivors. Just curious, did you go through a period of guilt in your recovery? I've been feeling very guilty lately -- guilty that I survived and am still alive when so many others don't make it through the disease, guilty over what I put my family through with this illness, and the even worse pain I almost put them through last year when I was thinking of ending it.

Is it normal to feel like this during recovery?

Thank you.

My thoughts and prayers go out to each and every one of you who are suffering with depression. Just know that you have so many friends here on the Gary board and we are all behind you 100%. I am sure that everyone on the board is here to listen when you need to talk and will help you through whatever you are struggling with. Reach out to us. We care. We are here for you!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canda:

We all go through different guilts etc... when dealing with depression ...
As I am still depressed at times ...I will have depression for the rest of my life..taking meds for this also so y'all know ... it just that some times and days are harder for me but I get through them cuz I feel prayers and thoughts are with me during the low times in my heart and soul ... hope you are talking to someone what your going through .... cuz we all need someone like a very great friend to chat with and let them know whats going on ....

and yes it is ok to feel guilty sometimes and that JMO so you know sweetie ..

Vicki B ~ Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers for us all with this..
you are a very great gary allan junkie friend that has a very caring heart ..

Thanks for letting me say my thoughts about depression -- Hugs & Peace Joni

Thank you Joni and Vicki B. You're sweeties.

I too suffer from depression. I finally went to see someone a few years ago cause i knew that i needed to. I am not on any meds for it though, which i am glad for that. but at times i wish that i had something. When i come on here, no matter to just play games or what have you - i feel at home with all my friends. Gary's music has helped in sooooo many differnet ways I just can not put it in words.
Everyone who had this horrible disease - I AM WITH YOU 1000%. Keeping you all in my thougths and prayers. HUGS TO ALL OF MY FELLOW FRIENDS

Kerry, thanks for sharing. I know what you mean about feeling at home on these boards. There is something VERY special about this place and especially the people here -- it's almost magical the feeling of comfort and healing this place brings. I call the Gary boards "my happy place".

Have a great day, and keep smiling!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerry : Thanks for sharing your thoughts . I know that I can always count on gary allan message board junkie friends to make me feel special when my day is going rough . Theres just something special about each and every one of my gary allan junkie friends that i also can not put words down 'bout y'all .

I will always have depression due to my childhood that i don't remember much . And most days & nites i am good . But sometimes my days & nites are a nightmare . But I know that I can always count on y'all on the boards .

Yes Garys Music Is Healing Me In So Many Ways & Would Love To Tell Gary That One Day In The Future & Hopefully I'll Be Able To Sometime Very Soon

Godspeed, Joni -- LHF 08

KERRY THANKS FOR YOUR HUGS -- I ALWAYS FEEL THEM IN MY HEART & SOUL

I too have struggled with bouts of depression multiple times in my life, with 2005-2006 having been my most recent bout. I know all too well what it is like to feel like there is absolutely no purpose to your living any longer...but know this, THERE IS A PURPOSE! I credit my faith in God for grounding me with the reminder that all of us--even me--are here on earth for a reason and that no matter what one does, you are always God's beloved child. I was on meds after my second bout of depression, went off for a while, but now that I am back on again, I will never willingly go off again.

I am a strong advocate, though, of seeking therapy beyond just the meds. After two years of counseling, I feel more confident in myself and my ability to stay positive in face of the ugly doubts depression whispers to me than I have in nearly two decades. If you can't afford the high fees of a counselor, don't think you can't get help--call your local mental health services department and they can refer you to low-cost services. I worked with a pro-rated counseling service during a period in my life where I was working whatever temp jobs I could get and didn't have a good solid income, so I know low income is not an excuse for not getting help.

And don't ever be afraid to share what you are going through. I refuse to be
"ashamed" about this illness, and have been blessed to provide help to others who were secretly struggling by my speaking frankly about what I have been through.

Each of you who have mentioned having this struggle as part of your life will be in my prayers for your ongoing peace of mind and strength of spirit.

Thank you for sharing Mary Katherine. So glad to hear you're doing better. I'm the same as you in that I will not willingly ever go off the medication. But then I'm not supposed to either so I have my doctor's support in this. I've been diagnosed as a physical depressive which just means I don't have any specific issue of tragedy, abuse, etc. type thing to work through. But instead, I'm simply built with more sad chemical than happy chemical (you can tell I don't work in the medical field with all the fancy techy words I'm using eh? HEE HEE). It is believed that my chemical imbalance is caused by extreme hormonal imbalances and changes from my completely out of control female cycle, and the significant pain I experience from the same -- yes, if I have a choice I am SOOOOO going to be a man in my next life.

Anyhow, it is amazing how much my life has changed after finding the right combination of drugs. I did counselling for awhile also. Of course, the next major hormonal shift will be menapause so my doctor has advised that I can expect another breakdown at that time -- but this time I'll be watching for it and will get to the doctor for medication adjustment well before I enter the dark, piercing, lonely gates of hell again.

I offer prayers for peace to all sufferers of the nasty illnesses in this world.

Thanks for sharing. I wish that I was there to give you all a hug. LOL

thanks for sharing all of your thoughts and experiences. I don't suffer from depression, but have family members that do and reading your insights helps me understand a little better what my loved ones are going thru. I wish all of you peace and happiness.

Hey
to all of you guys on this board, you are all so smart and genuinely care about others.
yes depression is a serious illness, but fixable thank heaven.
I have had my own bouts, but thank heaven with good friends to help me stay strong I will not go down in defeat,
Im praying for all of you to be stong and over come your demons.
Love Doris

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joy ~ Most Day Are Peace And Happiness For Me . A Few Weeks Ago I Had Nitemares Cuz My Past Was Trying To Come Out Again ~ Scary For Sure .

Godspeed Joni

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doris ~ Yes We Do Care About Our Gary Allan Junkie Friends . Glad That U Share Your Thoughts And Story . I Am Strong . I Have A Few More Demons To Over Come But That Will Take Time Has My Past Is Trying To Come Out In My Nitemares That I Had A Few Weeks Ago . Thanks So Much For Your Prayers . I Do Feel Them Everyday Of My Life . Yes Depression Is A Serious Illness . But Fixable Yes . Gary Allan Music Is A Big Healer For Me . And So Are All My Gary Allan Jukie Friends And Your One Of Them Also . Each One Of You Have Helped More Than Words Can Say 4 Me To Write Down On Here .

Hugs ~ Peace ~ Godspeed Joni