depression

Today I am with you sister. Sad as can be and fighting this familiar depressing feeling every minute.

Yes I suffer major depression and I am a stay at home mom and have lots of time to think. And boy can I think of since I was 5 till god know when and yes help sometimes but sometimes not so people can't even think of what it feels like to just want to hide and sleep and not be found, and this weightloss does not help! Add me we can talk some more......

I have GAD and mild depression. My doc just doubled my prescription (I was low dose) and told me to start supplementing 1500 IU of Vitamin D daily. It's been 2 weeks today, and I don't know if I've noticed a difference yet.

I meant meds helps sometimes and sometimes not

I live with chronic depression. There are days when I'm irritable, want to sleep all day and just isolate myself from everyone.

I've found that the healthier I'm eating and the more exercise I get, the less the depression affects me.

Living near Lake Michigan, we have what's known as the Permacloud, which basically makes everything dreary and cloudy from October til about March. That doesn't help either.

Depression is something that my mom has struggled with for as long as I can remember. I have those days as well, in fact...had one on Sunday. I think that allowing myself to sit and cry makes it worse...on the days that I feel like that I tell my best friend and we try to do something (walk in the park, funny movie, or game night), thistakes my mind off the sadness and helps a lot!

feel free to add me if you want! we can help each other!

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.

I relate on so many levels. I've tried so many combinations of meds over the past years and found 2 that do kind of work, but I've been just about as depressed as ever. And it's been years of this. I just keep on keepin' on. I know it's got to get better some day. It's just taking a really long time. And in the meantime, it sucks.

I have bad days (or, I should say, worse days) from time to time. I did just this past Saturday. And it's just like you said...when the mind gets a chance to be with itself. I, too, have had those days where I just don't think I can face anybody. The days where it takes every ounce of willpower to just get out of the bed.

I also know how it feels to get the comments from people who think you can just smile and feel better. That we can somehow smile our way out of this or think our way out. If it were so easy, don't you think we would have done that? And the meds, oh, the meds. Many people think they are happy pills, that we take them and become happy. Not so easy. I'm sure your fiance is only asking about taking your meds because he doesn't know what else to say or how to help. But yes, we can take our meds and still be horribly down for some random period of time.

So we walk around in our lives and 99% of the people we know would be extremely surprised to know that we deal with chronic depression. We hide it well. Sometimes we even hide it from ourselves and for a few weeks or a few months, we even think we don't have it any more. And it makes it just that much more horrible and *depressing* when it rears its ugly head and shows us that it is still boss.

(((((eelamme))))) I know I can't pick you up from where you are. If I could, I would. But know that it can't last forever. Just keep doing the right things and it will pass. I have faith that it will.

I've suffered depression almost my whole life, I can honestly say my husband has beaten it back further than anyone or anything else ever has. He is a tough man , not quick to give sympathy bc hes been in the military for 18 years, even though it was extremely difficult being with him at first bc I was so easily broken, I can say I am 100 times stronger today, crying isn't something I feel the need to do very often anymore. I am blessed to have a man in my life who is exactly what I needed. I hope you find your strength and are able to beat this horrible thing that has consumed so many people.

Wow, it's so amazing the sheer amount of support for whatever life throws at you here! :flowerforyou:

I'm Bi-Polar II with GAD and I know what you mean about the struggle. Sometimes you have to make like a crop circle and lay the F down. If your mind won't stop racing listen to some music or read or write the thoughts down.

Find strength in the fact that you've weathered this before and you will do it again.

Do any of you happen to suffer from depression? Normally on days off, when my mind has time to itself I tend to get blue. Nothing major. And granted, I haven't been remotely suicidal in years! I know I've come a LONG way ...I see a major difference in myself from 6 mo's ago on back. Still. There are days. And today is one. I called in sick from work. Just want to cry and hide and sleep. The idea of facing patients and smiling seems impossible. I get annoyed at the just snap out of it and just do it attitudes. I would if I could...and on many a days, I do. My fiance would ask if I took my meds, and yes, I have. Guess I'm feeling a bit more down on myself because my depression hasn't been even a wee bit debilitating for some time.

If your taking your meds like you are prescribed, then maybe it is time for new meds and also blood work to get your Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D checked along with a Thyroid panel.

You are not alone!! Let's all be friends and support each other!! I am sooo bad with taking my anti-depression meds. Whether I don't think they are working or just not strong enough does and I give up. I have no medical ins and just got moved to part-time work, so I have been feeling very down lately... MFP does keep me on track with my other battle though: FOOD. lol. We can beat this.

Bump - really interesting thread.

I understand where you are coming from sweetie. You just have to take it one day at a time. I have found for me that when I get depressed, it's a clue that I need to take a little bit more time for myself... get my hair done, nails, a massage. Use it as time to make yourself feel good when you don't. Buy yourself some flowers.. it works for me. good luck. z

I suffer from anxiety and depression as well. Since graduating college and entering the 'real world' both have gotten much worse. I was previously on antidepressants, sleep aids, and I can't even remember what else. It got so bad that I moved halfway across the country to try to get my life under control. Needless to say, the depression and anxiety followed me though it did improve for a short time. I am no longer on meds as my new doctor is pressing me to try other ways of coping. That's part of the reason I am here. She recommended exercise and cutting down on caffeine. I work at a coffee shop so that's been difficult but I'm slowly getting there with both. My main type of exercise is simple walking which I hope will help with the depression as well by forcing me to get out of bed when every step is a struggle. I have good days and bad days. It seems more bad than good.

Does anyone have any experiences with using exercise to help depression? I don't want to be on several pills a day but in a way life was easier to deal with then. I would love some friends on MFP who are in a similar situation. Add me please.