How can I overcome the past and focus on the present?

A lot of things from our last can really hurt us, and as long as we dwell on it, we won't get better. As hard as it is, the best thing to do is to forgive (I know, a LOT easier said than done). It's really good that you have recognized this to be a problem and that you are taking the initiative to fix it. Way to go!!! :) I've been in counseling for 2 years now, and from my experience, counseling has REALLY helped. It's not always fun because the counselors tell you the truth even when you don't want to hear it, but I have grown to love my counselor and talking to her. All you have to do to get a counselor is to search counseling places or counselors near you, select one, and make your first appointment. They will give you paper work to fill out that first time, but its not bad. During the appointment, it sort of varies what happens based on what type of therapy you are receiving. I often times talked, did a work book page, and did cognitive behavioral therapy. It varies from person to person so you experience it for yourself and see what you think. Give it about 5 sessions and if you absolutely cannot stand that counselor, then consider finding a different one. Most of all, remember that you are ultimately in control of you getting better; nobody can do that for you. And don't lose hope. It's a long but very exciting journey; you will learn a lot!!!

I have good news for you. A small but growing number of doctors now recognized that depression, anxiety and panic attacks are symptoms of something called TMS--tension myositis syndrome. Once a person learns what TMS is, then the symptoms often go away on their own.

...but one other thing that you need to know: Your constant dwelling on the past is a habit that you have created over time. It's a 'chronic thought pattern.' You need to work at changing your thought patterns. Stop at least every 10 minutes during the day and ask yourself, "What am I thinking about? How am I feeling--sad, depressed, anxious...whatever?"

If your thoughts are about a painful past issue, then redirect your thinking away from the past and towards something more pleasant or more immediate in your life. Break the habit. Only you can do it.

In my experience, psychiatrists and anti-depressants were not a good way to go. They were just a waste of time and money. Learn about TMS and change yourself inside--it's really worth doing, and it doesn't cost anything except for a couple of books.

Start by getting the book "The Great Pain Deception: faulty medical advice is making us worse" by Steven Ozanich. This book is about TMS. It also talks about the fact that psychiatry is on the wrong track with its drugs and 'psychotherapy'--these things don't get rid of the problem. But learning about TMS does, because you'll find that depression loses its power over you and you'll be able to control it yourself. Learning about TMS has changed my life!

Also go to tmswiki.org and look up 'depression' and 'anxiety' and read all the success stories, how peoples' lives were totally changed after learning about TMS.

BUT HERE IS something else I want to tell you: I answered a question by a person who suffered anxiety and panic attacks, and I told her about TMS. That very evening, she posted a comment directly to me saying, "Thank you so much! As a result of learning about TMS online this afternoon, I was able to prevent a panic attack from happening this evening!"

So learning about TMS WILL help you. SHE gained control of her panic attacks, and YOU will gain control over your depression. Good luck

Forget the bad past is the rule. It is foolish to worry about the future while allowing the devil to conquer the present. Don't cry over the past, it is gone. Don't stress about the future, it has not arrived. Live happily and peacefully in the PRESENT (which is a Gift of God) and make life beautiful

"Surrender to what is; let go off what was; and have faith in what will be". - Sonia Riccoti.

just do good things...meet with good people and meditation will help u a lot so just move on...........