Multiple traumas and neglect in childhood left me with complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and no feeling of self or self-worth. In my late teens I started to self-destruct with drugs and alcohol, and at age 27 had a psychological crisis followed by 35 years of serious depression. I had to try hard every single day of those 35 years to learn how to live a happy life, but I never gave up, and I did finally recover. See In Defense of My Father.
The First 4 Steps to Recover from Depression
Everybody’s depression is different, but anybody, even if you can’t get out of bed some mornings, can use these 4 action steps to get your recovery off to a good start.
- Responsibility — Whether the problems in our life are our fault or not, we need to take responsibility for dealing with them. Taking responsibility for everything in your life is easier than it sounds, and it’s tremendously liberating. You realize you have the freedom to make your life any way you want it.
- Meditation — Meditation is about learning to control your thoughts. Everything has both positives and negatives. To get out of depression we need to focus on the positive side of things. We still know the negatives are there, we just don’t pay them as much attention. Whatever you pay attention to gets stronger.
- Parental Love — A person who is loved by their mother grows up feeling safe in the world, like there is a place for you here. A person who was loved by their father feels capable, like you’ll always be able to take care of yourself, and support yourself. Part of most people’s depression is that one or both of their parents was absent emotionally. I can teach you how to bring that parental love into your life now, even if both of your parents are gone.
- Self-Esteem — When you feel good about yourself you feel better about everything. A large part of feeling good about yourself is feeling strong, and being able to live without fear. I can teach you how. You’ll be able to stand up for yourself anytime anywhere without conflict. Then you can relax, because you know you can handle anything life brings.
Depression can be a complex issue, requiring more than 4 steps to recover. But these four steps will start you off right. To talk about how to fit them into your life, apply for a Free 90 Minute “Get Out of Depression Now” Coaching Session.
An Experienced Guide
Because I didn’t have good role models of what it’s like to live a good life, I had absolutely no idea how to do it. So I just tried everything I could think of.
For the first 20 years I made very slow progress. Then in 1998 I joined a meditation group based on Ancient Wisdom and my learning took off. Over the next 25 years I became more aware of myself and why I did things, why other people did things, and why the world is the way it is. Most importantly, I learned to control my thoughts, which is one of the keys to getting out of depression.
I still have unhappy times, but I’ve learned to be happy and strong again very quickly.
I built a successful business, formed new relationships, and to my surprise friends and family started coming to me for advice. I discovered joys of being alive that I never knew existed. I can honestly say that one day in my life now is worth all the years of my suffering.
But learning how to get out of depression from personal experience alone takes too long, and is too painful. Your recovery will be so much quicker if you find a guide who’s already learned what works. Also, look for a coach who gives you specific actions steps, not vague generalities. Apply for a Free 90 Minute “Get Out of Depression Now” Coaching Session.
Do You Have High-Functioning Depression?
If you’re managing to keep your life together but are so tired of the struggle, you may have high-functioning depression. Some people with PTSD or ADHD work very hard and don’t understand why they’re not happy or more successful. For many years I worked very hard to keep my home business running even though I didn’t enjoy it, just so I didn’t have to interact with people.
Most of the time I wished I was someone else, anyone else.
From that place I completely turned my life around. And with the right help you can too. Never give up on learning to live a joyful life. Know that you can be confident and strong, feeling good about yourself and the world, and making your life the way you want it.
How To Get Out Of Depression
To get out of depression you need to know what to do and be willing to take action. Apply here for a Free 90 minute “Get Out of Depression Now” Coaching Session.
I look forward to hearing your story,
Ken Lapp
Things are going to get easier