Tradition Ten states:

Depressed Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues hence the Depressed Anonymous name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

What are the issues INSIDE of Depressed Anonymous? These are what I believe to be the inside issues:

1. In some degree we are responsible for part of our depression. We call that saddening ourselves. Our thoughts, behaviors, and feelings have an impact on our depression.
2. By working the 12 steps of DA we can achieve a daily reprieve from saddening ourselves. We may need other treatment options as well but recovery should be in the mix.
3. In some form or fashion there exists a Higher Power. There is no one single Higher Power. If you have issues with or disbelief in a divine Higher Power that’s OK. Use the group, or nature, or love as a power greater than self.
4. We know our experiences to be true for ourselves. We may know things outside of ourselves but we could be wrong and it would be best for us to either be quiet or very gentle in our comments. Harsh judgements help no one.
5. We are all connected to our Higher Power. Given that there is no THEM there is only US.
6. Recovery is a group effort which is why all our steps begin with WE. Together we can do what we could not do alone.

Well those are my thoughts.

Yours in service, Bill R