[theia]

<p>Last week one of our beloved posters acknowledged that she's going through a rough patch and battling depression.  A few months ago, another did as well.  A few of our group have admitted to me on email that they, too, are struggling right now or have been recently.  I myself went through a very dark period last summer. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think it's incredibly courageous to admit that you're feeling blue.  To ask for help.  To acknowledge that you can't do it all alone.  None of us can.  That doesn't stop us from trying... or from feeling like a failure if we're not able to keep up with everything -- bills, family, spouse, kids, work, home, aging parents, laundry, friends, pets, and, yes, running.  All of us are under great deals of stress and pressure.  My stress is no greater than your stress, and vice versa.  But we both are struggling with whatever it is in our lives that is causing angst. </p>
<p><br>
I guess my point is that you're not alone.  Last summer when I was in the depths of my whatever-it-was, I felt so helpless.  Nothing mattered anymore.  Nothing made me happy, and it seemed as though nothing ever would.  It felt as though it was Theia Vs. The World.  I hate the thought of any of my friends feeling that way, and since I don't read the thread every day I don't always read things in a timely manner and comment appropriately...  so I'm commenting now.   </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Whenever you need a helping hand, reach out for one.  Maybe you reach out to this group as a whole, or a few of us individually.  Maybe your support system has nothing to do with your imaginary running friends.   That doesn't matter.  What does matter is to remember that you don't have to go through this crazy life by yourself.  It's OK to need help.  It's OK to ask for it.  I know I would be flattered and honored to offer help if anyone asked, and I'm pretty sure most of the rest of us would feel the same way.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Love and peace to all. </p>

 

[katholeenie]

<p>Well said, Theia.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Completely agree.</p>

 

[runningINnyc]

<p>Agreed, very well said - thanks! </p>
<p> </p>

 

[Runninlaw]

<p>You rock, Theia. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Excellent post and I too agree with everything you said.</p>

 

[theia]

<p>Thanks for saying that.     I really don't, though.  I was just trying to be supportive.  I remember how scary it was to feel so all alone and helpless.  I do think it was incredibly brave for our friends to say, "I need help" or "I am feeling this way."  Last summer, I couldn't admit it even to myself.  It took someone 3,000 miles away (gee, I wonder who) to point it out, research it, and offer solutions to help me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Just wanted our friends to know they are not alone.   xoxox</p>

 

[winter]

<p>Theia:  Part of what makes this place a safe zone, where we can admit our troubles, is posts or offerings like you've just made today.  Thank you for making this one of the best places to share myself with others. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>(((((((((((((((((Theia)))))))))))))))))  because you did a good thing here. </p>

 

[duckgeek]

<p>Yup. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The support our group has shown for me as I try to battle this ankle thing is the main reason I've got a shot at toeing the line for Boston.  Definitely wouldn't be toughing out these runs without out you guys.  </p>

 

[Ailarie]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>winter</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/72332/in-which-theia-rambles-in-an-attempt-to-be-supportive#post_1979448"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p> </p>
<p>(((((((((((((((((Theia)))))))))))))))))  because you did a good thing here. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
I can't add anything more than what has already been said.  Thanks for your post, girlfriend. </p>

 

[cus]

<p>Theia,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Well put.  I tend to disappear when my running isn't going well or life gets stressful, but it is nice to know you are all still here. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And, my best hopes are with anyone is going through difficult times.</p>

 

[clare]

<p>Thanks, Theia.  Very well said. </p>
<p> </p>

 

[coacht]

<p>I tend to disappear when things aren't going well or I'm not running too.  Neither has been great for the past couple of years - hence my limited posting here.  No need to bring you all down with me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With that being said - my ankle that I "sprained" almost two months ago still hasn't healed.  Time to think about how much I want to continue to push myself to keep running when the body obviously doesn't want to cooperate.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hope that everyone is doing well - both in running and in life.<br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Cus</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/72332/in-which-theia-rambles-in-an-attempt-to-be-supportive#post_1979485"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Theia,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Well put.  I tend to disappear when my running isn't going well or life gets stressful, but it is nice to know you are all still here. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And, my best hopes are with anyone is going through difficult times.</p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br>

 

[clare]

<p>I've been having a rough time lately with just about everything in my life.  I feel very overwhelmed and anxious about things.  I finally spoke to my doctor about it.  Funny how it doesn't really bother me to get a pap test (or any of the other preggers tests that I had to go through) but trying to talk to him about my mental health was a real struggle.  I guess I thought he might pass it off as nothing.  I'd talked to a friend about it and she said, "Well, it's been a year since you had Evelyn so it can't be anything serious."  Well, my doc seemed to think it needed attention.  He put me on some meds.  I didn't want to go that route, but I'd tried a bunch of other things and they didn't seem to be helping.  So here I am.  So far, so good.  I figure if they help me get back on an even keel, I'll be pleased.  Life is too short.  And really, I had to take this into my own hands and do what needed to be done. </p>

 

[theia]

<p>(((Clare)))</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And (((Coach T))) and (((Cus))) and (((Duck))) and anyone else who needs 'em. </p>

 

[kjboston]

<p>Add me to the depressed and medicated bunch. Thanks everyone for being there during my last 12 weeks. They have been incredibly difficult but it's good to know you guys are there for me.</p>

 

[bard73]

<p>I have faced this in the past.  One of the blessings of my life is that the past 12 months, I have been very nearly depression and anxiety-free.  I don't think I'd gone for more than 2-3 months without an episode since I was in high school.  It did take asking for help from my doctor and her perceptiveness to pinpoint the cause and suggest a course of action that has worked better than I could have ever dreamed.  I resisted asking for medical help for years, I know how hard it is.  But now I regret taking so long to ask for help. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Prior to figuring out what was going on with me medically-speaking, this group was incredibly supportive anytime I did let on that things were getting me down, whether it was publicly on the board or through PM's.  <strong>Theia</strong>, you do indeed rock.  I have saved several of those supportive PM's from you, <strong>Beaker, Moonie</strong>, and a few others dating back 3-4 years and I reread them from time to time.  I haven't been as responsive to others lately as I should, but I do try to follow your example. </p>

 

[praecipua]

<p><strong>Theia</strong>, <strong>Clare</strong>, and maybe others have hit on a major that prevented me from asking for help for so long (and running away from here when I didn't want to let on to anyone what was going on):  in our society, there still seems to be a major stigma around mental health issues.  There are tons of people who need help, but if they ask for it, they may think it makes them look weak or crazy, or something else negative.  It took a very long time for me to get over those issues and just ask for help.  Things haven't quite sorted out yet, but they're definitely much better.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Congrats to those who have asked for help.</p>
<p>Congrats to those who don't need (this kind of) help.</p>
<p>It's ok to those who think they may need help but are afraid.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I love you all!</p>

 

[mmoonptdeux]

<p><strong>Theia</strong> - beautifully said, and like others have mentioned, you rock.  <span><img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I faced depression a lot, especially as a kid, and well into adulthood.  I think its in my genes though to just kinda' close in and try to mash and grind it out those thoughts inside my mind, spitting it out eventually and moving onward in life.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But it's always been comforting to know there are folks to fall back on like you all when I do feel the need to voice anything, and I've been completely appreciative of the words of encouragement and the like I've gotten over the years from you all. </p>

 

[winter]

<p>For what it is worth, here is my take on this subject:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have to take medication for my asthma everyday without fail.  My lungs don't work right.  I don't know why that is exactly but they don't.  So I must take medication to be a viable human being.  My son has to take thyroid medication everyday of his life.  He has since he was 12.  His thyroid doesn't work right.  I don't know why that is exactly, but it doesn't.  So he takes medication to be a viable human being.  My father has to take heart medication everyday of his life.  He has since he was 53.  His heart doesn't work right.  I don't know why that is exactly, but it doesn't.  So he takes medication to be a viable human being.  I could name others I know who take insulin, or ritalin, or wear glasses or wear hearing aids.  Parts of their bodies don't work either so they need a little medical help to get them through the day to be viable human beings.  As a society, we accept this.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>  Why do we allow for other parts of our bodies to malfunction while we condemn the brain when it needs a little medical help too?  To me, it's all the same.  Look around you and ask the people that surround you if they take something to make them viable human beings.  You might be surprised to find that we all need a little medical tweaking one way or the other.  That's all it is.  A little medical tweaking. </p>

 

[gatorbob]

<p>Hi everyone.  It's Maggie, Bob's wife. I may not be a runner but unfortunately have issues of depression.  Bob has helped me through my countless of ups and downs.  He is a very private person when it comes to this but feels that me sharing with his "invisible" friends will help me and others that are going through this.  As Alexis said, it is important to know that you are not alone.  Ask Bob for my email if anyone wants to discuss this in private with me.  On a funny note, when Bob asked our 3 year old what she wants to be when she grows up, she said "a runner".       -------Maggie</p>

 

[gatorbob]

<p>Well said, Joe.  -----Maggie aka Bob's wife</p>