Online support group for Anxiety, Mood Disorders, and Substance Abuse

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Welcome to the Find the Light Online Support Group for Mood Disorders, Anxiety, and Substance Abuse! The main objective of this site is to provide private online peer support to adults that are suffering from mental illness, in addition to information relating to various mental health issues. Online support can be very therapeutic for those that don't want to go out, are afraid to go out, or don't have access to support groups in their community. It is also valuable as a supplement for therapy. It is not meant to be a substitute for therapy. The consensus statement unveiled by SAMHSA has revealed that peer support is essential to recovery of mental illness. If you are suffering from these disorders (or any other) welcome to Find the Light! I am quite sure you will find comfort, solace, and the very important support that you want and need. Please visit the online support group!

Are you contemplating SUICIDE? If so, please call 1-800-784-2433 in the US. Click here to download a free e-book on suicide. If you are a teen, please call 1-877-YOUTHLINE (968-8454)

Why Online Support?
Online support with Find the Light means invaluable peer support. Click here for access to the group. Membership has to be approved and requires a login and valid email. The group is constantly moderated. Part of online support entails the privacy and security that you are "safe" (as safe as possible in the electronic environment) revealing such personal issues. You do NOT have to reveal yourself to anyone. You can assign a screen name to yourself that allows anonymity. The only thing you reveal is your email address to me. It is held on my privately held server.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be effective in treating many disorders including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. If we proceed to change our thoughts we will in turn change our moods, feelings, and behaviors. A component of cognitive behavior is the act of rehearsing Positive Affirmations in order to facilitate this change. These only begin to touch the surface of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy, and behavior. It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between the "poles" mania (highs) and depression (lows). This change in mood or "mood swing" can last for hours, days weeks or months. Depending on the frequency and intensity of symptoms, bipolar will be categorized as bipolar I, bipolar II, or cyclothymia. There also may be an added characteristic of "rapid cycling".

Major Depression
Depression is a treatable illness It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. You can’t make yourself well by trying to "snap out of it." Although it can run in families, you can’t catch it from someone else. The direct causes of the illness are unclear, however it is known that body chemistry can bring on a depressive disorder, due to experiencing a traumatic event, prolonged stress, hormonal changes, altered health habits, the presence of another illness or substance abuse.

Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is defined as the excessive use of a drug (alcohol, narcotics, or cocaine) or use of a drug without medical justification. Substance abuse can lead to addiction (chemical dependency). When an individual is addicted they feel they cannot live without the substance. They have become completely dependent physically (or biologically) and psychologically. There is not one area of life that isn't effected by substance abuse and addiction. Lives can become destroyed-not only those of the addict, but those that love them.

Anxiety
Anxiety is an emotional state in which leads us to feel uneasy, apprehensive, or fearful. People usually experience anxiety about events they cannot control or predict, or about events that seem threatening or dangerous. Various types of anxiety disorders are as follows:

Though this site should NOT be substituted for professional help, I think it is very important to have social support when someone is suffering from these disorders. If you are hurting please find a counselor or psychologist in your neighborhood. The loneliness and isolation is so terribly self-destructing that if you don't reach out for help you could die. This is that serious!

So please enjoy this site for any information you may need and for all of the support and care you desire. Come Find the Light in our online support group

National Institute of Mental Health's Anxiety Hotline-
1-888-826-9438

National Drug and Alcohol Abuse Referrals: (800) 662-HELP (4357) (English and Español)
(800) 487-4889 (TDD)

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"When you are in your darkest hour, remember, you can always find the light..." TB, Author, Director, Find the Light Online Support Group.
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