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Find the Light
Online Support Group
Focusing on Mood Disorders, Anxiety, and Substance Abuse

   
 

The information provided on Find the Light is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. Find the Light is a self-help site only. Each and every member is responsible for themselves when participating. **
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Welcome to the Find the Light Online Support Group.  The mission of this website is to provide online peer support for adults that are suffering from mental illnesses such as anxiety, mood disorders (bipolar, depressive disorders), and substance abuse. We also provide accurate, credible information relating to various mental health issues. We also welcome caregivers and/or parents of children and adults with these crippling disorders. There is a strong connection between good mental and physical health (mind/body). We offer tips and support for those that are suffering from both. We all have been there and understand. We encourage you to try our support group. It can be life changing. Here are a few testimonies: Stories from the heart.

If you are currently suffering from stress and anxiety I suggest the article in the September issue of Glamour on stands now! Find the Light is mentioned in the Cover Story,
"The Female Stress Crisis, Solved!", as part of a holistic approach to managing stress and anxiety. Check it out at Glamour Magazine's website! Or come see for yourself how an online support group can be of benefit to you. Just enter our online group by clicking the link below to get the sign up process started!

 Enter/Sign Up For Support Group Here

With the advent and rise of the internet, millions are turning to online peer support groups due to not being able to access the mental health system. Living in today's times can make for a trying day for even the healthiest of us. We are among the most stressful living situations and times in ages. Over 70% (up to 90%) of all emergency room visits are due to stress-related illnesses! That's a lot. If you are suffering from a mental illness, and the stress of today's living is overwhelming you perhaps you could benefit from an online support group in addition to therapy and/or medication. (Check out www.drugwatch.com for comprehensive information on any prescriptions you may be taking.)

If you are in need of talking with others with the same illnesses, every day challenges, parenting, anything, you will enjoy our group. It is a relaxing atmosphere of positive support. There is a give and take nature about groups that becomes helpful for all involved.  would like some advice and good ideas on managing your illness why not give online peer support a try?  The value is tremendous when one thinks about the convenience of accessing the group from a convenient place. Additionally, it has also been found helpful to reach out to others in their time of need. The free exchange, the mutual giving and receiving of support, is the essence of any peer support group.

Which Online Support Group?

So, perhaps you have decided to try an online support group and found your way here to Find the Light. Chances are you were referred by word of mouth, or any of the above mentioned professionals, or, you found our private group via the search engines (Google, MSN, etc). Regardless of the keywords used (depression support group, anxiety support, substance abuse help, etc), chances are also good that you found many results for these keywords and wondered to yourself which online support group to choose. In my opinion that has to be a personal choice. You will have different needs than others. Some groups are very large and vast, with many members, and heavily moderated (monitored), and can be very busy. Some are smaller to mid-size. Any credible website that has an online support group will have contact information for you to ask any questions you may have. I will say, that without a doubt, this group, is one of the most private and close-knit. What this would mean to you is that none of the messages created within the private forum will be seen in ANY search engine. (Enter the FTL Online Support Forum/Group Here). In addition to privacy, Find the Light continues to strive to be one of the best on the net for support.

Find the Light Online Support Group provides a small screening process for your protection and privacy. Unless you are an accepted member you will gain access to the other part of this website, which is the online peer support group. The general public cannot access the group, thus cannot see your username or messages.  It is an anonymous (you may choose any username), special, close-knit group that allows the free exchange of feelings, moods, happenings, and thoughts without judgment. On a final note about selecting a group online, you will find that with some online support groups, if not many, your messages can be seen in Google and aren't private. If you don't want your messages to be made public then I would suggest giving us a try, or be diligent in your search for the best group that may be a fit for you. It may take a couple of groups to figure it out, but it certainly is worth it to find that fit for yourself. Here are some of our Find the Light member testimonials. If you have direct questions please don't hesitate to contact me. If you care to find out more about Find the Light and want to join, please, read on. Thanks for your interest!

Why Online Support?

Find the Light Online Support Group is pioneer in the field of online mental health. Launched in 2003, it was one of the very first to not only show up on the net but to maintain it's position in rankings, popularity, and credibility. The site is upheld to the highest personal and professional standards. For more on me, please click here, There are many theories in psychology that purport effective techniques for treating mental illnesses. If you suspect you have anxiety or one of the mood disorders please take the time to look around the site for some education. If you are indulging in a little too much of the alcohol or drugs, even food or nicotine, please, I URGE you, to do the same! Healthy recovery is possible. Next, I strongly encourage you to seek professional help if at all possible. If you currently are suicidal please dial 911 immediately or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (in the US). We are not equipped to handle suicidal ideations in the group.  Remember, education is the key to empowerment. There is also a slow shift in thinking away from dependency on the medical field towards personal responsibility and prevention. We can be a great first step!


Paradigm Shift

There is a paradigm shift in process as we speak in the health field, primarily medical. Instead of treating various illness of the body (let's take chronic pain or cancer for example) as separate from the mind, astute (in my opinion) practitioners are realizing that the mind and body are one. We simply cannot attempt to treat a physical illness only with medicine. Our thoughts, environment, social situations, etc, all play a part in whether or not we suffer needlessly. This new paradigm is based in part on the "Bio-psycho-social Model"*, coined by psychiatrist, George Engel, in 1977. 1977!  I have suffered for nearly fifteen years from almost daily pain in my head and neck. No fun! Anyway, as you can imagine, it isn't exactly mainstream in medicine yet, for various reasons that I will not go into here. If you want to talk about it email me! 

My point here is that FTL (Find the Light) is part of this "social" component. In line with the consensus statement mentioned below, and this bio-psycho-social model, socialization, and most particularly, online support, can be very therapeutic for many of us. The beautiful thing about gaining support from those that know and understand what you are going through, is that it opens doorways to greater health in many ways. Group peer support is invaluable as a supplement for therapy. It is not meant to be a substitute for therapy or medication. 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 and sign up for the online support group(For more info on healing with the new paradigm, please visit Jon Kabat-Zinn's website on Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction)

*Lakhan, S. (2006, August 3). The Biopsychosocial Model of Health and Illness. Retrieved from the Connexions Web site: http://cnx.org/content/m13589/1.2/

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)


Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are typically classified and identified by a person's mood. For instance, Major Depression is probably the most common mood disorder but Bipolar I is also common. With Major Depression, the primary symptoms are very low mood, lack of sleep or too much sleep, appetite changes, suicidal ideations, loss of interest and pleasure. Most of us experience depressing times when we experience a loss or something devastating. We usually move past these things by working through and resolving our grief, and time passing. It is when someone becomes depressed for no apparent reason and/or when depression lasts longer than two weeks. For an official diagnosis of Major Depression, certain criteria must be present. These are noted in the DSM-IV, the manual that all mental health professionals reference for assessment and diagnosis. People with depression simply can't "just snap out of it".

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. In addition to this, to be diagnosed with substance abuse or dependence, use of the substance has to cause significant distress in at least one area of life (such as social with relationships, vocational with work, health, etc) 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. The great news is it is possible to recover from this affliction. Visit our recovery section, and of course, come join our group to talk with others.

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. Click here for member testimonials. If you are hurting please find someone to talk with-maybe a pastor, friend, parent, 12 Step group, counselor, etc. If you don't have anyone give our support group a try. Click here for access. The loneliness and isolation is so terribly self-destructing that if you don't reach out for help you could suffer greatly. 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. Hope to see you in the group.

Tristine Barry, MS, CTT+
Founder
ftlowner@gmail.com

Related Links

Suicide Information

Online Therapy at Psychcafe
Anger Management Experts
Mental Health Foundation of the UK-Great Resource!
UK Counselling Directory
 Center for Therapy and Stress Management-Tampa Bay Area


Need a hotline? Click here!

If you are feeling suicidal please call
1-800-273-TALK
Youth: 1-877-YOUTHLINE (968-8454)

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

National Drug and Alcohol Abuse Referrals: (800) 662-HELP (4357) (English and Espaņol)
(800) 487-4
889 (TDD)

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Last Update: August
26, 2010

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Online support with Find the Light means invaluable peer support. FTL's online support group is screened for safety. Membership has to be approved and requires a login and valid email. It is fee-based but includes a free 30-day no obligation trial. If you choose not to return, you simply do nothing. The fee is a modest amount considering how much the group helps our members. The group is constantly moderated in order to keep it as safe as possible. Part of online support entails the privacy and security that you are "safe" (as safe as possible in the electronic environment of the internet) 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. Member testimonials provide a glimpse into the effectiveness of Find the Light's online support group. 


 

candle

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

Click here to contact me

           

 
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The information provided on Find the Light is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. This owner of this site does not provide therapy and does not provide online suicide or homicide prevention. **There is a monthly $4.99 fee for participation in the private online support group in the message forums in order to cover monthly costs of labor and related expenses. You will NOT be charged for months you do not use. Please see user agreement (accessed upon signup) for further details.  Overall site last updated:08/09/2010 www.findthelight.net  Copyright 2008 Find the Light Online Support Group. This site contains ads from various agencies (as related to, but not influenced by site content) and affiliates in an attempt to cover monthly costs associated with running the website. All advertising purchasing decisions are decided by the owners and must be relevant or beneficial to the user/member. These advertising links are marked by Advertisement". .