DEPRESSION: A Ladybug's True Story of Dark vs. Light

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blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,857
9,573
113
#1
DISCLAIMER: Long post alert, but this is a very serious topic which needs to be addressed so please read it in it's entirety!! Thank you!!

Hey everyone, this is another chapter in my battles with different things. I have recently written about my battles with cancer, and epilepsy, in hopes of helping others who are going through the same things. What I am about to write is a true story. It is about my life-long battle with severe depression. Depression takes many forms. It may cause a person to self-harm, have addictions to drugs and/ or alcohol, and have feelings of being worthless, inadequate, and feeling like an unloved failure. Many times I have felt worthless, unloved, and that I would be better off dead. I have felt that no one cares, that I don't matter, and at times I have felt that God has forsaken me. It always seems that when we need him the most, is when he feels the farthest away from us and cant hear us and does'nt care. Nothing could be further from the truth!! He DOES care! He IS listening! He IS with us.

I had a very lonely, unhappy childhood. I had very few friends. My best friend, who I have told my deepest, darkest thoughts and secrets to, is a brown teddy bear that my mom knitted for me when I was one year old. Teddy and I have literally been through hell together. Today he is old and ragged, and I have many battle scars!! Teddy knows all my pain, all my hurts, all my dirty little secrets that even my family don't know about. For the last several decades, since about age 12 or 13, I have struggled with severe depression nearly every day. I have never gotten along with my mother or oldest sister. They are both very mentally and verbally abusive people. I love them but I dont like them. My two sisters are only two years apart in age. I am 9 and 11 years younger, respectively, than they are. I dont get along with my oldest sister because life has bitterly jaded her and she is a nasty, negative person to be around and I cant handle that. For the most part, I never see her unless I absolutely have to. She has always been very nasty and rude to me, and negative to everyone in general. She is just like my mother in that respect. My mother is polite to others, but very curt to her own kids, except for my brother. He is her favorite child, and she never lets us girls forget it either!! Funny how she wanted girls, and had 3 of them, and had a boy and treats him like gold.

I have always wondered if my oldest sister is jealous of me because I grew up pretty much as an only child. My siblings had all moved out by the time I was old enough. My mother used to hit my sisters, but my brother claims he does not remember this, but then again he IS her favorite, and always defends her. I have never gotten along with my mom either. She had her own unhappy childhood, and she was beaten too, and she projected that behavior onto her own kids. When I was born, my sisters told my mother she was NOT going to hit me like she had with them, and she never did.. She used mental and verbal abuse instead. She would call me weird, odd, and strange. The truth is, she made me that way!! LOL. All my life I have felt very unloved by her. She does not know how to express her emotions very well. She always found, and still does, things to nitpick on me about. For the most part, and to preserve what little sanity I have left, I ignore her unless I absolutely cant avoid her. All my life I have resented her and hated her. But there comes a point where you just need to forgive and let go and move on.

About four years ago, my depression got the best (or worst) of me. My mom and I were having problems, I had just gotten over having cancer, and I had a wicked flea infestation that I just could not get rid of no matter what I tried!! Well, my mom and the fleas sent me over the edge into a deep dark hole. I was on the phone with my dad, screaming that I hated my mother, and bawling so hard I couldnt even breathe. My poor dad is always stuck in the middle--he wishes we could all just get along like the Brady Bunch or something. LOL. :) Anyway, I got off the phone, and still bawling and screaming, I yelled at God, "I wish you would bring my cancer back with a vengeance and let it kill me"!! Yes, I know that's an awful thing to say, but at the time I was totally serious. My depression worsened to the point where I could visually picture myself hanging from a rafter on my back porch!! That is an awful thought and an awful vision to have in one's head!! That is what depression does. It draws you down into the darkness and gives you those thoughts and images. I knew something had to change or I'd die.

My depression totally changed who I was. I went from being a happy, laughing 5 year old to a quiet, sad teenager, to a full-blown anti-social adult. Other things contributed also, but the main one was my depression. Rather often, I look at myself at 5 years old, and wonder where that happy girl went to and if I can get her back again. Thanks to God, I am succeeding in doing that!! :) I had misplaced my faith for a VERY long time--several years.. I had strayed away from God and I knew I had to find my faith again. I knew that only my faith in God, and God himself, could pull me out of the darkness I was in. I tried to read my bible more, and I downloaded several bible verse pictures to use as computer wallpaper. I decided to make a faith book. The name of my faith book is a pun off the word "Facebook."
:pMy faith book is a computer folder full of bible verses, pictures, poems, prayers, inspirational sayings, wallpaper and screensavers. Anything that gives me hope and courage is in there. Anything that inspires me to keep going on with life and not give up is in there. Things that remind me to keep trusting in Jesus are in there. I use my faith book every day, both on my computer and on here, because my avatar of the blue ladybug is in my faith book. :) Ladybugs symbolize hope for me. A different wallpaper on my computer every day reminds me how blessed and loved I am.

These days, when I need a good laugh, I watch funny cat videos on Youtube. If I need a good cry, I just look at pictures of people and animals that I have lost. I felt compelled to join a christian chat room, so I typed "christian chat rooms" into my computer. Out of the 3 sites that I looked at, this site was the only one I could actually preview before I joined.

Lately, I have been writing on topics that I have read about in other people's posts on here. Topics such as self-harm, depression, suicide/suicidal thoughts, disease and disabilities. I have battled every single one of these things, and by God's grace, gained victory over them!! :) I have first-hand knowlege of these subjects, for I have battled with them for over 30 years now. I feel I need to share my stories with all of you in the hopes of giving others fighting with the same things the courage and strength to keep going and never give up!!

To those of you struggling with ANY type of problem, I truly know how it feels. I have been in that dark place where you are now. I know how it feels to think you have nothing to live for, and no one to care about you. Remember this: God cares!! Jesus cares!! You CAN overcome depression, ANY problem, if you put your mind to it!! If you have Jesus you can do ANYTHING!! You can let your troubles drag you down into darkness, or you can use it to rise up into the light and become stronger. Jesus knows exactly what you and I go through. He knows that if we trust him to carry us through the darkness, we will emerge into the awesome light on the other side. Dont ever give up, dont ever give in!! My inbox on here is always open and anyone who is struggling right now is always welcome to pm me. :) I made it through the darkness..I know you can make it, too. Trust God, keep your faith strong, banish Satan, and believe that God is always with you. Your situation can, and will, get better. Not overnight, but they will get better.

This is my true story. I hope it will strengthen and inspire you, and give you hope and courage. I dedicate this thread to all who are struggling right now. You are amazing, and you will win this fight!! God bless you all. :)
 
T

ThePottersClay

Guest
#2
Thank you for sharing this Blue - I'm glad I got to meet you on here though, your passion to share your testimonies are always so appreciated, you're an inspiration. And you know no matter what we went through in the past our God is greater.
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,857
9,573
113
#3
Thank you for sharing this Blue - I'm glad I got to meet you on here though, your passion to share your testimonies are always so appreciated, you're an inspiration. And you know no matter what we went through in the past our God is greater.
tash, thank you and you're welcome. :) Not only am I trying to help others through telling of my battles, I am purging myself of the weight of keeping them all locked inside me for so long, if that makes any sense. LOL. I am hoping my war stories bring hope to others, and keep them from giving up. :) And you're right--God IS bigger than ANY problem or disease!!
 

andiesollestre

Junior Member
Mar 30, 2014
10
0
1
#4
Thank you for sharing you story.. you have a wonderful testimony, i can relate. I love the character of God in your life because of your heart. Thank God i sat through the whole long long read. I can understand where you're coming from now and i felt like reflecting on every line and paragraphs. I just love your heart blue. I wanna give you a BIG HUG.
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,857
9,573
113
#5
Thank you for sharing you story.. you have a wonderful testimony, i can relate. I love the character of God in your life because of your heart. Thank God i sat through the whole long long read. I can understand where you're coming from now and i felt like reflecting on every line and paragraphs. I just love your heart blue. I wanna give you a BIG HUG.
andiesollestre, you are welcome!! I know this was a very long post, most of mine are, especially when I write about my battles and I know that others are going through some of the same things I have. I'm very glad you sat it out and read the entire thing!! :) Aww, well here's a great big hug from me to you!! :) God bless you. :)
 

Hanady

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2012
141
4
0
35
#6
Thank you for sharing, i know it was hard to talk about all this and you are so brave and an amazing person. If you need anything you know im here for you :) GBU
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,857
9,573
113
#7
Thank you for sharing, i know it was hard to talk about all this and you are so brave and an amazing person. If you need anything you know im here for you :) GBU

Hanady, thank you and you're welcome. Writing all these threads about my battles is actually very therapeutic for me. :) If I ever need anything, you will be the first one I call on. :)
 
May 3, 2013
8,719
75
0
#8
Hi, bug! I will be around!

I seldom send PMs, I rather say things in public eyes (except when "privacy" was needed) but I took this pic for you, the whole album I uploaded in my section) but I will insist on this I liked more: http://christianchat.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=82581&d=1404351322

For your faith book!

A secret: My mom is somewhat you would know... :p

Perhaps I´m shy but, if you ever feel it, phonecall me. (I would give my phone number if you really plan to use it)

I´m not depressive, I´m healthy but, for the way you write, I think it would be lovely to hear you talking (in fact I wish I had a picture of the face I have now, when reading this). Hope you believe my cheeks are like this :) and that I really like to get that burger you liked (in another place: No "kings" wanted) while I lick my Mc D. ice cream. ;)


P.S.

I hope you don´t wear a rainbow pony tail. :)
 
May 3, 2013
8,719
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#9

Hanady, thank you and you're welcome. Writing all these threads about my battles is actually very therapeutic for me. :) If I ever need anything, you will be the first one I call on. :)
Well! It´s impolite to tell I felt jelous, but it´s ok if I could be in the line waiting for my turn. :(
 
May 3, 2013
8,719
75
0
#10
andiesollestre, you are welcome!! I know this was a very long post, most of mine are, especially when I write about my battles and I know that others are going through some of the same things I have. I'm very glad you sat it out and read the entire thing!! :) Aww, well here's a great big hug from me to you!! :) God bless you. :)
I liked reading that long post which also had a disclaimer.

If a person doesn´t have time to read, from the very heart of a person, such fellowship is so superficial...

Now I like you more, little bug.
 
May 3, 2013
8,719
75
0
#11
Thank you for sharing you story.. you have a wonderful testimony, i can relate. I love the character of God in your life because of your heart. Thank God i sat through the whole long long read. I can understand where you're coming from now and i felt like reflecting on every line and paragraphs. I just love your heart blue. I wanna give you a BIG HUG.
I also liked her wisdom, though her heart is not blue, is tenderly pink or red. She is so brave that I felt the need to be in front of her to hear it longer, to look at her face, to cheer or cry tears, because GOD is with her. :)
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,857
9,573
113
#12
Hi, bug! I will be around!

I seldom send PMs, I rather say things in public eyes (except when "privacy" was needed) but I took this pic for you, the whole album I uploaded in my section) but I will insist on this I liked more: http://christianchat.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=82581&d=1404351322

For your faith book!

A secret: My mom is somewhat you would know... :p

Perhaps I´m shy but, if you ever feel it, phonecall me. (I would give my phone number if you really plan to use it)

I´m not depressive, I´m healthy but, for the way you write, I think it would be lovely to hear you talking (in fact I wish I had a picture of the face I have now, when reading this). Hope you believe my cheeks are like this :) and that I really like to get that burger you liked (in another place: No "kings" wanted) while I lick my Mc D. ice cream. ;)


P.S.

I hope you don´t wear a rainbow pony tail. :)
secularhermit, well thank you!! That picture is now in my faith book. :) LOL, no I dont wear a RAINBOW pony tail, but my hair is really long right now and it's driving me nuts, so I do wear a pony tail alot. That's gonna be gone soon though cuz I'm getting my hair cut short soon. :)

Aww, ok you'll be the SECOND person I call!! :) LOL. Yeah, alot of people are too impatient to read really long threads, but I do appreciate the ones who took a few minutes to read mine thoroughly. :)
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,857
9,573
113
#13
I also liked her wisdom, though her heart is not blue, is tenderly pink or red. She is so brave that I felt the need to be in front of her to hear it longer, to look at her face, to cheer or cry tears, because GOD is with her. :)

secularhermit, while my literal heart may not be blue, :) it has felt blue rather often during my lifetime. I try to be brave, but sometimes I dont always do such a good job of it. Thank you for your nice words. :)
 
May 3, 2013
8,719
75
0
#14
secularhermit, well thank you!! That picture is now in my faith book. :) LOL, no I dont wear a RAINBOW pony tail, but my hair is really long right now and it's driving me nuts, so I do wear a pony tail alot. That's gonna be gone soon though cuz I'm getting my hair cut short soon. :)

Aww, ok you'll be the SECOND person I call!! :) LOL. Yeah, alot of people are too impatient to read really long threads, but I do appreciate the ones who took a few minutes to read mine thoroughly. :)
Hmmm! what a feeling...

May I ask you a promise? When you cut it out -and grew up- keep on wearing pony tails. :eek:

Thanks for being the 2nd. Though I know I´m the 3rd after whomever be the 2nd, cause GOD is 1st.

I loved you sister!
 
May 3, 2013
8,719
75
0
#15

secularhermit, while my literal heart may not be blue, :) it has felt blue rather often during my lifetime. I try to be brave, but sometimes I dont always do such a good job of it. Thank you for your nice words. :)
I know what you meant! Sometimes I have wanted my life ended. I have felt blue when I don´t see the purpose of living and why some painstaking toils of each day.

Sometimes I idealized my mom and I have grasped why she is so but, as long as I live, I have no choice: Things are like they are.
 

Toska

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2013
1,857
22
38
#16
Another beautiful testimony from you, blue. I know I have said in the past I have suffered from depression but, it is nothing compared to what you have been through in your life. Again, it takes a lot of courage for you to open up like this and I appreciate it so much. There are so many people out there who suffer in silence. I pray that your words will encourage others to reach out.

If you had not given this testimony, I never would have dreamed you had been through so much turmoil in your life. You are always so caring and compassionate--never afraid to speak your mind but, in a nice way:) I hope you realize what a beautiful spirit you have and what a blessing you have been to these forums.

God Bless.
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,857
9,573
113
#17
Another beautiful testimony from you, blue. I know I have said in the past I have suffered from depression but, it is nothing compared to what you have been through in your life. Again, it takes a lot of courage for you to open up like this and I appreciate it so much. There are so many people out there who suffer in silence. I pray that your words will encourage others to reach out.

If you had not given this testimony, I never would have dreamed you had been through so much turmoil in your life. You are always so caring and compassionate--never afraid to speak your mind but, in a nice way:) I hope you realize what a beautiful spirit you have and what a blessing you have been to these forums.

God Bless.

Toska, you are welcome!! Next, I plan to write about my life-long struggle with suicidal thoughts/attempts, and loss of friends and family to suicide. With each thread I write, it is my fervent hope that whoever reads my words will gain hope and courage and inspiration. After all, I made it through each battle for a reason: to share my experience with others. :) I always try to be caring and compassionate, yes I do speak my mind, but I TRY to be somewhat polite about it!! LOL!! :) Even when I write about such serious topics, I always try to throw a bit of humor in with it. I'm fortunate enough to be able to see the positive side as well as the negative. I can usually see the humorous side of it as well. Thank you for saying I am courageous, and a blessing. I always try to be both. :) God bless you, Toska. :)


 
T

Terrygold

Guest
#18
God Bless You.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,234
16,243
113
69
Tennessee
#19
DISCLAIMER: Long post alert, but this is a very serious topic which needs to be addressed so please read it in it's entirety!! Thank you!!

Hey everyone, this is another chapter in my battles with different things. I have recently written about my battles with cancer, and epilepsy, in hopes of helping others who are going through the same things. What I am about to write is a true story. It is about my life-long battle with severe depression. Depression takes many forms. It may cause a person to self-harm, have addictions to drugs and/ or alcohol, and have feelings of being worthless, inadequate, and feeling like an unloved failure. Many times I have felt worthless, unloved, and that I would be better off dead. I have felt that no one cares, that I don't matter, and at times I have felt that God has forsaken me. It always seems that when we need him the most, is when he feels the farthest away from us and cant hear us and does'nt care. Nothing could be further from the truth!! He DOES care! He IS listening! He IS with us.

I had a very lonely, unhappy childhood. I had very few friends. My best friend, who I have told my deepest, darkest thoughts and secrets to, is a brown teddy bear that my mom knitted for me when I was one year old. Teddy and I have literally been through hell together. Today he is old and ragged, and I have many battle scars!! Teddy knows all my pain, all my hurts, all my dirty little secrets that even my family don't know about. For the last several decades, since about age 12 or 13, I have struggled with severe depression nearly every day. I have never gotten along with my mother or oldest sister. They are both very mentally and verbally abusive people. I love them but I dont like them. My two sisters are only two years apart in age. I am 9 and 11 years younger, respectively, than they are. I dont get along with my oldest sister because life has bitterly jaded her and she is a nasty, negative person to be around and I cant handle that. For the most part, I never see her unless I absolutely have to. She has always been very nasty and rude to me, and negative to everyone in general. She is just like my mother in that respect. My mother is polite to others, but very curt to her own kids, except for my brother. He is her favorite child, and she never lets us girls forget it either!! Funny how she wanted girls, and had 3 of them, and had a boy and treats him like gold.

I have always wondered if my oldest sister is jealous of me because I grew up pretty much as an only child. My siblings had all moved out by the time I was old enough. My mother used to hit my sisters, but my brother claims he does not remember this, but then again he IS her favorite, and always defends her. I have never gotten along with my mom either. She had her own unhappy childhood, and she was beaten too, and she projected that behavior onto her own kids. When I was born, my sisters told my mother she was NOT going to hit me like she had with them, and she never did.. She used mental and verbal abuse instead. She would call me weird, odd, and strange. The truth is, she made me that way!! LOL. All my life I have felt very unloved by her. She does not know how to express her emotions very well. She always found, and still does, things to nitpick on me about. For the most part, and to preserve what little sanity I have left, I ignore her unless I absolutely cant avoid her. All my life I have resented her and hated her. But there comes a point where you just need to forgive and let go and move on.

About four years ago, my depression got the best (or worst) of me. My mom and I were having problems, I had just gotten over having cancer, and I had a wicked flea infestation that I just could not get rid of no matter what I tried!! Well, my mom and the fleas sent me over the edge into a deep dark hole. I was on the phone with my dad, screaming that I hated my mother, and bawling so hard I couldnt even breathe. My poor dad is always stuck in the middle--he wishes we could all just get along like the Brady Bunch or something. LOL. :) Anyway, I got off the phone, and still bawling and screaming, I yelled at God, "I wish you would bring my cancer back with a vengeance and let it kill me"!! Yes, I know that's an awful thing to say, but at the time I was totally serious. My depression worsened to the point where I could visually picture myself hanging from a rafter on my back porch!! That is an awful thought and an awful vision to have in one's head!! That is what depression does. It draws you down into the darkness and gives you those thoughts and images. I knew something had to change or I'd die.

My depression totally changed who I was. I went from being a happy, laughing 5 year old to a quiet, sad teenager, to a full-blown anti-social adult. Other things contributed also, but the main one was my depression. Rather often, I look at myself at 5 years old, and wonder where that happy girl went to and if I can get her back again. Thanks to God, I am succeeding in doing that!! :) I had misplaced my faith for a VERY long time--several years.. I had strayed away from God and I knew I had to find my faith again. I knew that only my faith in God, and God himself, could pull me out of the darkness I was in. I tried to read my bible more, and I downloaded several bible verse pictures to use as computer wallpaper. I decided to make a faith book. The name of my faith book is a pun off the word "Facebook."
:pMy faith book is a computer folder full of bible verses, pictures, poems, prayers, inspirational sayings, wallpaper and screensavers. Anything that gives me hope and courage is in there. Anything that inspires me to keep going on with life and not give up is in there. Things that remind me to keep trusting in Jesus are in there. I use my faith book every day, both on my computer and on here, because my avatar of the blue ladybug is in my faith book. :) Ladybugs symbolize hope for me. A different wallpaper on my computer every day reminds me how blessed and loved I am.

These days, when I need a good laugh, I watch funny cat videos on Youtube. If I need a good cry, I just look at pictures of people and animals that I have lost. I felt compelled to join a christian chat room, so I typed "christian chat rooms" into my computer. Out of the 3 sites that I looked at, this site was the only one I could actually preview before I joined.

Lately, I have been writing on topics that I have read about in other people's posts on here. Topics such as self-harm, depression, suicide/suicidal thoughts, disease and disabilities. I have battled every single one of these things, and by God's grace, gained victory over them!! :) I have first-hand knowlege of these subjects, for I have battled with them for over 30 years now. I feel I need to share my stories with all of you in the hopes of giving others fighting with the same things the courage and strength to keep going and never give up!!

To those of you struggling with ANY type of problem, I truly know how it feels. I have been in that dark place where you are now. I know how it feels to think you have nothing to live for, and no one to care about you. Remember this: God cares!! Jesus cares!! You CAN overcome depression, ANY problem, if you put your mind to it!! If you have Jesus you can do ANYTHING!! You can let your troubles drag you down into darkness, or you can use it to rise up into the light and become stronger. Jesus knows exactly what you and I go through. He knows that if we trust him to carry us through the darkness, we will emerge into the awesome light on the other side. Dont ever give up, dont ever give in!! My inbox on here is always open and anyone who is struggling right now is always welcome to pm me. :) I made it through the darkness..I know you can make it, too. Trust God, keep your faith strong, banish Satan, and believe that God is always with you. Your situation can, and will, get better. Not overnight, but they will get better.

This is my true story. I hope it will strengthen and inspire you, and give you hope and courage. I dedicate this thread to all who are struggling right now. You are amazing, and you will win this fight!! God bless you all. :)
God must certainly be at the center of your life. Your story is incredible and is a beacon of hope for others in their own trials and tribulations. You are an inspiration from the Lord. There are very few who would have the courage to open the hard things of their heart so that others my benefit. I am already blessed for having known you through your writing. God Bless You too blue_ladybug.
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,857
9,573
113
#20
God must certainly be at the center of your life. Your story is incredible and is a beacon of hope for others in their own trials and tribulations. You are an inspiration from the Lord. There are very few who would have the courage to open the hard things of their heart so that others my benefit. I am already blessed for having known you through your writing. God Bless You too blue_ladybug.
​tourist, thank you!! That means alot. :) God bless you. :)