Depression and Weight Loss/Anything You Want out of Life

Depression is debilitating. It can (and will, if untreated) destroy your life. It caused me to want to end mine. I know a lot of you reading this are feeling hopeless, worthless, and extremely unhappy. I struggle with those feelings daily. But I can honestly say since joining MFP and losing this first 16 lbs I'm happier than I've been in years. I finally feel in control. I finally feel worth something.

Batting depression is no easy task, and there are no magical words to make you snap out of yours. My best advice is to seek medical help (Depression is a serious medical issue) and discuss and explore treatment options with your doctor. I've tried 3 different antidepressants, psychotherapy, and most recently healthy eating and a regular exercise routine. In my opinion, a combination approach works best. We have to get to the root of what causes these symptoms as well as treat them. Medication literally saved my life. Psychotherapy helped me to face my demons. Healthy eating and exercise help me keep the darkness at bay.

Let's kick depression's *kitten* guys! I'm so ready to move on with and enjoy my life. Are you??

Very cool! I am happy to see you feeling better about yourself. Though I have never had the depression you speak of, I have been around enough people with it to know its not just a switch you can turn on and off!

This is a great post. I've gone through bouts of depression and severe anxiety myself over the past few years, and now I think that I may have PMDD, which is essentially aggravated PMS to the point where I am a ball of hormones and rage for three days a week before my period. NOT fun!!! And even though I'm very hesitant about medication, for this I am finally considering it. But even on my worst days, exercising does help so long as I can drag my fat butt out of the house. Also, getting on a regular sleeping and eating schedule does wonders.

I'm so glad to hear that you're at a more positive point, and I will add in my own two cents to anyone reading this who is suffering: Depression (or any other mental or physical disorder) only controls your life as much as you let it. You may feel hopeless, like you can't do anything about it to help yourself-- and that is just plain WRONG. Just like eating right and losing weight, tackling a disorder takes time, patience, understanding, a good support network, and most importantly, MOTIVATION. You have to WANT to see yourself through to a better you, inside and out! And when you finally realize that you want that more than anything, you'll start to follow through and achieve what you want in life.

I'm proud of you for making changes and conquering your depression. I dealt with it for a few years, too, and I'm doing a lot better now. I don't like medications but seeing a great counselor once a week helped me get my mind straight and now I can use the tools she gave me on my own. I only see her once a semester now for maintenance. I liked this post a lot. Thank you.