You are welcome here cjm... anytime, anyday, anyway you need. I have found members and (of course) health educators here are terrific listeners. No one is going to cut in or dominate (I too hate that and agree with eleveno that it indicates a poorly run group). This is a good, safe place to share and explore the CBT techniques. I can assure you that if you do the work consistently... you will begin to feel some relief... sometimes even after just taking the depression survey and reading session one.
I am a member who began to feel some relief right away and continue to learn new ways to think and behave all the time. I have choices now. Choices way beyond just surviving from moment to moment. I too have struggled with MDD for many years (decades... actually). I am on antidepressants (3) and have benefited (and sometimes been hurt by) many different forms of therapy (group and individual). Fortunately, for me... I kept looking for help and managed to stumble in to this place. The DC is a safe and helpful place for anyone motivated enough to do the work. I hope you will soon begin to feel some relief from your pain. I look forward to "seeing" you on the forums. Welcome.
Welcome to the group. Good for you for recognizing what you need. Talking to someone about what you are feeling and thinking is very helpful. Feel free to post here. Writing out your thoughts can be helpful as well especially with this supportive group who will listen (read) and offer their support. Talking to your psychiatrist about individual therapy is also a great idea. Have you talked to your psychiatrist about Cognitive Behaviour Therapy?
CBT is helpful when it comes to depression. The program we have here will give you the knowledge you need to take control of this. Have you thought about doing this program in combination with the talk therapy?
Welcome to the forums! I understand you very well, participating in group therapy (or in any other group) where a few people dominate the conversation is very frustrating. If the therapist can't moderate the group properly, as it seems the case, you could ask for group changing or even from therapist.
But it seems at this moment you are looking for individual therapy. You are in need of talking with someone and this could be the best action for you now. What are other options you could consider for finding a therapist?
Meanwhile, and while you do not find a therapist, you can talk with a friend or a family member you trust. You could also use online support groups for venting. If you do a google search for "depression forums" you will find a forum with very active and supportive members who understand you and who will give you feedback.
After some venting you could also consider CBT for helping with your depression, and for this purpose you have this site with a CBT program you could follow.
Hello. I am a 50 year old woman who has struggled with Major Depressive Disorder for many years. I am currently taking 4 antidepressants. I am really struggling right now with group therapy. I am so uncomfortable with a group and there are a few in the group that dominate the conversation every week. I understand that other people have problems but I really NEED to talk to someonel I feel alone with no one to talk to. I have asked my Psychiatrist to put me in individual therapy and left her another message last week. Still no answer. Anyone with advice?
