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This website is 100% safe and confidential, any information you provide here will not be shared with any third party person or group. This website is safe for children. But parents should always be aware on where your child visits on the internet. Rules for this website are as follows: No bad lanuage, No pornography. This isn't a dating site and used only for the purpose of self-help, and outreach/support group. This is a safe place to come to talk about anything that may be stressing you out or that you feel the need to tell someone about. Some examples are: Abuse, Marriage, Divorce, Death, Birth, Being bullied, anything, it doesn't matter what it is. If you feel like talking about it, DO IT... If you are a child, do you have a grown up abusing you or do you have someone doing bad things to you?, Are you thinking about suicide?, Are you being abused by your husband or wife?, Did you have someone just died and need to talk about it?, Are you being bullied at school? Like I said, anything, you are not judged, but instead, you are listen to.
The materials placed here on my website, blog, live chat, etc. are put here to benefit individual on a self-help, outreach, support and education purposes during stressful, depressive, and traumatic times of need. And its purposes are to help save a life or provide a source of support for someone that are in a real need to turn to someone other than themselves. And to give you a peace of mind knowing that you do have a friend to turn to. This is a online support group and outreach. I do not discriminate against sex, race, or sexual preference. Everyone is welcome, but I can only speak English, so please be
advised that if you come to talk to me, please have someone to translate to me in english, for if you do not, I will not be able to understand you. I pay for the maintenance and up-keep out of my own pocket and do not have anyone helping me with this website, and can not pay to hire a translator. That is why the information and help is free with no charge. Please limit telephone outreach calls to U.S.A. residents only due to language barrier. All materials on this website are for purposes only and will not be sold for profit unless under an affiliate program for other place of business or company. I designed, maintain, and administrate this website and if you find that you like the way I put together this website, feel free to contact me if you would like me to build a website for you, but there would be cost.
Myths and Facts About Depression
Myth: Hard Work Beats Depression
Depression affects nearly one in six people at some point in their lives, so folk remedies and half-truths about this common illness abound. One such
idea: throw yourself into work and you'll feel better. For a mild case of the blues, this may indeed help, but depression is a different animal. Overworking
can actually be a sign of clinical depression, especially in men.
Myth: It's Not a Real Illness
Depression is a serious medical condition -- and the top cause of disability in American adults. But it's still confused with ordinary sadness. Biological
evidence of the illness can be seen in brain scans, which show abnormal activity levels. Key brain chemicals that carry signals between nerves (shown
here) also appear to be out of balance in depressed people.
Fact: Men Fly Under the Radar
A depressed man, his loved ones, and even his doctor may not recognize depression. That's because men are less likely than women to talk about their
feelings -- and some depressed men don't appear sad or down. Instead, men may be irritable, angry, or restless. They may even lash out at others. Some
men try to cope with depression through reckless behavior, drinking, or drugs.
Myth: Depression Is Just Self-Pity
Our culture admires will power and mental toughness and is quick to label anyone who falls back as a whiner. But people who have clinical depression
are not lazy or simply feeling sorry for themselves. Nor can they "will" depression to go away. Depression is a medical illness -- a health problem related
to changes in the brain. Like other illnesses, it usually improves with appropriate treatment.
Fact: Anyone Can Get Depressed
Poet or linebacker, shy or outgoing, anyone from any ethnic background can develop depression. The illness is twice as common in women as in men,
but it may be that women are more likely to seek help. It's often first noticed in the late teens or 20s, but an episode can develop at any age. Tough
personal experiences can trigger depression, or it may develop out of the blue.
Fact: It Can Sneak Up Slowly
Depression can creep up gradually, which makes it harder to identify than a sudden illness. A bad day turns into a rut and you start skip-ping work,
school, or social occasions. One type, called dysthymia, can last for years as a chronic, low-level illness – a malaise that silently undermines your career
and relationships. Or depression can become a severe, disabling condition. With treatment, many feel substantial relief in 4-6 weeks.
Myth: Help Means Drugs for Life
Despite the buzz about a "Prozac Nation," medication is only one of the tools used to lift depression. And asking for help does not mean you'll be
pressured to take prescription drugs. In fact, studies suggest that "talk" therapy works as well as drugs for mild to moderate depression. Even if you do
use antidepressants, it probably won’t be for life. Your doctor will help you determine the right time to stop your medication.
Myth: Depressed People Cry a Lot
Not always. Some people don't cry or even act terribly sad when they're depressed. Instead they are emotionally "blank" and may feel worthless or
useless. Even without dramatic symptoms, untreated depression prevents people from living life to its fullest -- and takes a toll on families.
Fact: Family History Is Not Destiny
If depression appears in your family tree, you may have an elevated risk yourself. But that does not mean you are certain to develop the disorder.
People with a family history can watch for early symptoms of depression and take positive action promptly -- whether that means reducing stress,
getting more exercise, counseling, or other professional treatment.
Myth: Depression Is Part of Aging
Most older people navigate the challenges of aging without becoming depressed. But when it does occur, it may be overlooked. Seniors may hide their
sadness or have different, vague symptoms: food just doesn't taste good anymore, aches and pains worsen, or sleep patterns change. Medical problems
can trigger depression in seniors -- and depression can slow recovery from a heart attack or surgery.
Fact: Depression Imitates Dementia
In older adults, depression can be the root cause of memory problems, confusion, and in some cases, delusions. Caregivers and doctors may mistake
these problems for signs of dementia, or an age-related decline in memory. Getting treatment lifts the cloud for the majority of older people with
depression. Psychotherapy is particularly useful for people who can't or don't want to take medication.
Myth: Talking Makes Things Worse
People were once advised not to "dwell on" problems by talking about them. Today, there's evidence that guided discussions with a professional can
make things much better. Different types of psychotherapy help treat depression by addressing negative thought patterns, unconscious feelings, or relationship troubles. The first step is to talk to a mental health professional.
Fact: Positive Thinking May Help
The old advice to "accentuate the positive" has advanced into a practice that can ease depression. It’s called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
People learn new ways of thinking and behaving. Negative "self-talk" and behavior is identified and replaced with more upbeat thoughts and a more
positive mood. Used alone or with medication, CBT works for many people.
Myth: Teens Are Unhappy by Nature
Although many teens are moody, argumentative, and intrigued by "the dark side," prolongued sadness or irritability is not normal for teens. When
unhappiness lasts more than two weeks, it may be a sign of depression -- which develops in about one in 11 teens. Other signs a teen may need help
include: being constantly sad or irritable even with friends, taking no pleasure in favorite activities, or a sudden drop in grades.
Fact: Exercise Is Good Medicine
Very good studies now show that regular, moderately intense exercise can improve symptoms of depression and work as well as some medicines for
people with mild to moderate depression. Exercising with a group or a good friend adds social support, another mood booster.
Myth: Depression Is Tough to Treat
The reality is most people who take action to lift their depression do get better. In a large study by the National Institute of Mental Health, 70% of
people became symptom-free through medications -- though not always with the first drug. Other studies show combining medication and talk therapy
is even more effective.
Fact: It's Not Always Depression
Some life events cause sadness or disappointment, but do not become clinical depression. Grief is normal after a death, divorce, loss of a job, or
diagnosis with a serious health problem. One clue of a need for treatment: the sadness is constant every day, most of the day. When people are
weathering difficult times appropriately, they can usually be distracted or cheered up for short periods of time.
Fact: Hope for Better Days Is Real
In the depths of depression, people may think there's no hope for a better life. This hopelessness is part of the illness, not a reality. With treatment,
positive thinking gradually replaces negative thoughts. Sleep and appetite often improve as the depressed mood lifts. And people who've seen a
counselor for talk therapy may be equipped with better coping skills to deal with the stresses in life that can get you down.
.....no matter how bad your past or present life may be, there is always hope in Codependants Anonymous
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Lancaster SC Coda Online Support Group
We welcome you to Codependents Anonymous - a program of recovery from codependence, where each of us may share our experience, strength,
and hope in our efforts to find freedom where there has been bondage, and peace where ther has been turmoil in our relationships with others and our-
selves. Most of us have been searching for ways to overcome the dilemmas of the conflicts in our relationships and our childhood.
Many of us were raised in families where addictions existed - some of us were not. In either case, we have found in each of our lives that codependence
is a most deeply rooted, compulsive behavior, and that it is born out of our sometimes moderately, sometimes extremely dysfunctional family system.
We have each experienced in our own ways the painful trauma of the emptiness of our childhood and relationships through out our lives. We attempted
to use others, our mates, our friends, and even our children, as our soul source of identity, value, and well being and as a way of trying to restore within us
the emotional losses from our childhoods. Our histories may include other powerful addictions, which as we have used to cope with our codependency.
We have all learned to survive life, But in Codependence Anonymous, we are learning to live life. Through applying the Twelve Steps and Principles found
in Codependence Anonymous to our daily life and relationships, both present and past, we can experience a new freedom from our self-defeating lifestyles.
It is an individual growth process. Each of us is growing at our own pace and will continue to do so as we remain open to (our Higher Power's) will for us
on a daily basis. No matter how traumatic your past or despairing yourpresent may seem, there is hope for a new day in the program of Codependents
Anonymous. No longer do you need to rely on others as a power greater than yourself. May you instead find here a new strength within to be that which
(your Higher Power) intended. Precious and free.
Serenity Prayer
(Your Higher Power), grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
If you would like to contact me for a appointment for a one on one counciling by phone or by live chat, feel free to contact me by
clicking my email below. If you would like to make a donation to help support this website, I have placed a PayPal button on this page,
you are welcome to donate any amount you wish. All monies will go to maintaining and improvements of this website and you support
will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for visiting my website and I hope that I have provided lots of beneficial information for your
needs. And I welcome you to share with me your opinions and comments and views on improvements of this website. This website is
100% safe and confidential and it isn't shared with no outside parties.
Thank you and please come back,
Joel, Administrator/Owner
honeycuttja@lancastersccodaonline.com
What is Codependency?
If you are new to learning what is Codependent, which we will use (Coda) which is short for Codependents Anonymous. At Coda, we
offer no definition or diagnostic criterion for Codependents. What we do offer is a list of patterns and characteristics as a tool to aid in self-evaluation. See section on page 2 - Materials for the chart.
Patterns and Characteristics of Codependence
We here in the Coda group strive to provide materials for self-help. The materials on this website consist of the 12 Steps program. This program is designed to help you recognize where our defective traits are, and how it is dragging ourselves down, and helps us learn to remove these defects of character. Then life will become more manageable on a day by day basis.
The importance of working the 12 Step Program
The basis of working the 12 Step Program which will give you goals to go by, one step at a time, which will build your mental growth. No matter how traumatic your present or past may be. In time working the program, you will see a difference. I admit that when I
started the 12 Steps, I was at rock bottom and I didn't know which way to turn. As time went by, I kept on working the program no
matter what my thoughts would tell me. And now I compare my current status with my mind frame in the beginning, and you know something, it works. It didn't happen over night. It takes time and effort. Your mind will try to slip back in the old mind frame, but that
is ok, remind yourself how far you have come, and go there. With the program, we may never become what you would call "normal", but
life will be manageable.