Deperession

Did the depression come on quickly or did it seem gradual? I went into depression and my dr. automatically put me on Welbutin. I hated it! Come to find out they tested my Thyroid and I needed to start taking Synthroid. So I do suggest looking into help, because like the commercials say Depression effects everyone :) Best wishes

Hey H......

Sounds like you need a listening ear and a good friend to listen and to share with. I don't think that medication and paying Dr's needs to be the course of action. Write me back and I will give you all my contact information. We can go to lunch or a walk in the park. What ever it takes.......

L.

hi H.!
i totally know how you feel, sorry its taking me so long to get back to you... but im going through depression and have been for years... i don't feel like doing anything anymore like going for walks, calling or hanging out with friends. all i want to do is sleep all the time, among other things anti-depessants are'nt doing anything anymore. i know about the crying. i would love to chat, if you would like to just send me a message.
hang in there. it would be nice to chat with someone that is going through the same things!

bye for now. god bless

Hi,

Depression is a sign that there is grief. Journaling is a way to get in touch with what is bothering you. A lot of "depression" also has to do with vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Vitamin B12 is remarkable for helping with depression. Mom's often have vitamin and mineral imbalances which affect moods etc. Often doctors will describe an anti-depressant when it really is a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Check with your doctor. If they aren't supportive g a different route to find out this information. If you really are "depressed" get to the route of your issue and begin to do good things for yourself. Hope this helps

You got a lot of good advice and I am so sorry you are going through this. I know I went through depression when I cut ties with my dad (step dad who raised me and molested me.) Then I had depression when I had my tubes tied and it caused a hormone imbalance. I was only depressed the week before and the week during my period but it was so severe, I couldn't function. It went away after I reversed it. Then I went through depression when my sister was killed by a freak accident last October. There are different ways to treat depression depending on what the problem is. My mom has a chemical imbalance that makes her feel depressed. Knowing that there is a problem is really the most important step to getting help. Figuring out what is wrong can be overwhelming when you are feeling crummy. Talk to your doctor or someone from your church. I hope you feel better soon. God bless you! PS if you are grieving over the loss of a 15 year friendship, it may get better with time. Sometimes we can grieve over a loss even if the person is still alive! Allow yourself to grieve and be sure to get plenty of sleep and eat healthy even if you don't feel like it. Hang in there!

H.,

Go to a good chiropractor, get adjusted, and ask about Standard Process supplements called "Symplex F" and "Ovex" to help you regulate your hormones during your cycle. Also ask about "5HTP" which can pop you out of depression quickly without taking any medications. Fish oils, good diet, reducing sugar, getting off all artificial sweeteners and MSG -- these all help to make you feel yourself again. Hang in there -- there isn't much that goes wrong with us that can't be cured through the proper nutrition.

Good for you for reaching out -- these things that upset you now will pass, and what seems so dark now will look bright as day later on. Take it from someone who's been there.

Be good to yourself,
S.

Hi H.,
Just wanted send you a little message to let you know I'm thinking of you. Best wishes!

Dear H.,
First I'd like to say that you are very brave and very smart to ask for help! And I want to send you my deepest sympathy. Depression is a terrible illness - it can be fatal! I don't think yours will be, because you've had the strength to tell someone about it.
The good news is that depression is very treatable. The best treatment for you depends partly on what has caused your depression. If you have been through grief and loss, then good counselling should help a lot, if you have a hormone or chemical imbalance then a good diet, exercise, and/or drug treatment can sort you out, or if you are very stressed and have a bad self-image, then a change in your life that reduces your stress, as well as what's called cognitive therapy, should give you what you need. The important thing to stress is that you WILL cure yourself, but not all by yourself!
It sounds to me as though you have a combination of stress and grief. Even if you ended your friendship yourself, you probably feel the loss of that friend. I want to tell you that one symptom of depression is a feeling of distance and a lack of connection with other people. I don't know the reason for your ending your friendship, but it's just possible that you might want it back - if so, don't be afraid of going back to your friend!
It's not your fault you feel this way. Get all the help you need - you won't be a burden to anyone, people love to help!
Best wishes!

If you have mental health insurance through work, I would look into seeing a Psychologist or Psychiatrist. I have Depression and anxiety and have to be on drugs to tame it. You may or may not need the same, but you do need to talk to a professional about it. I first talked to a psychologist and then to my regular Family Doctor and it was something we all agreed upon. If you talk to your family or PCP Doctor first they may refer you to the psych you need as well. Don't worry that it is only you, it is not, there are a lot of people in your same situation. I was and did something about it.

H.,
Talk to your doctor ASAP. You may have a chemical imbalance and need an anti depressant for a while. It may take a while to find one that works for you, or you may get a good one right away. Just hang in there. I got horribly depressed during my pregnancy and was put on prozac, which was like a MIRACLE for me. I am now on Effexor, and will try to go off of it soon. Life is too short to go on like you are. Hang in there!!!!! It gets better!
D.

Dear H.,

I hope you are a Christian, because leaning on the Lord rather than yourself or others first helps. I am speaking from experience, being a sufferer of clinical depression myself. Has there been a traumatic event recently in your life that could have brought this on? I don't know how old you are, but if you recently gave birth, it could be postpartum depression, which is very treatable if you just discuss it with your doctor. If it is a chronic thing like mine, I don't have much faith in doctors; they only know enough to throw prescriptions at you. I have been on nearly everything there is for depression, but you know what I finally did? I went off my RX drug, because I was on the maximum dose and would still have some really bad days (which is basically what happens after a while with every drug). But I found out about SAMe. You can get it at the drug store, and even a lot of grocery stores carry it. I have to take very large doses (800 mg) every day, but that is because I take it for Fibromyalgia as well. But believe me, I have felt SO much better the majority of the time since i stopped taking Zoloft and started taking SAMe. It's not cheap but is often on sale,and you can start out with just 200mg a day and see what it does for you, then increase the dosage only if and when you need to. But it is actually something that is GOOD for your body and brain anyhow. Depression is usually caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, and maybe a hormone imbalance. Another good thing to try is Natural progesterone cream. You follow the directions for using it according to your stage in life, but it benefits even teenagers who have what is called "estrogen dominance." Just make sure you buy a brand that has at least 400 mg of progesterone per oz. It usually comes in tubes or jars and makes a great moisturizer too. Also, the progesterone should be only the kind from the wild yam. There are other kinds that are not pure. It's best to go to a health food store the first time you buy it, so you can ask questions; but you can also get it at drugstores and pharmacies. Just remember first and foremost to trust in the Lord. You are His child and He loves you, and we all have to learn to love ourselves enough to take care of ourselves. If you don't, then you have nothing to give others, so it is not selfish to put your own real needs first. Hope you feel better soon.
K.

It can be really difficult to end a friendship especially after that long and to add other life stresses can make it worse. I think it helps to get a change of scenery. Try to leave your home often even if it's just to walk around the neighborhood but I would also try to get interested in a hobby or activity. Take your son to the zoo or bowling. Go out to eat at a sit down restaurant. Take a dance class or join a gym if you have the time. If you enjoy reading, maybe take a novel up to Starbucks and read there. Take your son to a park where other moms go. You never know, you might make a connection with someone and gain a new friend. Just a few ideas.

If a change of scenery doesn't help then you should consider seeing your doctor. If your feelings of depression have been going on for a few weeks, they may put you on antidepressants. It's nothing to be ashamed of. If you aren't happy and can't snap out of feeling blue, then you need to take control and get help.

Dear H.,
You are halfway through the battle if you can admit that you may be depressed. There is no shame in that! Society can still be judgemental sometimes in that regard, but why can't a brain have problems if a heart or a liver can.?! In fact, considering all that the brain does, it is probably more common to have issues related to that than any other part of the body! I recommend that you see a doctor ASAP and maybe you need some medication to help balance the chemicals in your brain and some talking with a therapist to work through the other issues such as the breakup with your friend. Depression affects MILLIONS of people, so you are not alone in this!! Good luck as you seek help. Feel free to email me if you ever want someone to talk to at times.

My only good advice is Jesus Christ can heal your heart. If you want to talk to some one about what a relationship means you can talk to some one by calling 1-800-633-3446.

Depression is very difficult to deal with. I am so sorry you are feeling this way.
I found a book once that I often return to. It is an all natural way to help heal depression. I've returned to it often. It describes in scientific detail how the foods we eat often can cause us to feel worse. Then it goes into more scientific detail on how to fix it. I love this book and when I followed it I felt calm and sane. Now, whenever I start feeling a little out of control I follow the principles in the book and feel a lot better. Basic outline is as follows:

1. Eat only 3 meals a day. These meals should have at least 20 grams of protein in them. No sugar, no diet soda, no anything between meals. (If you need sugar or soda have it with your meal.)
2. Eat a potato after your third meal about an hour before bed. You must leave the skin on the potato. You can put butter, salt, etc. But, you cannot have any protein with the potato. You can fry it, mash it, bake it, etc.
3. Make the switch to whole grains.
4. Eventually cut out sugar and soda.
5. I think you should walk 30 minutes a day, but I can't remember if that is a step or not. I'm planning on rereading it again soon.

Anyway, if it sounds interesting to you definately get the book from your library. The science that went into the research is really very amazing. This book has changed my life and helps me feel in control.

How old is your child? Is this postpartum depression? There is no shame in asking for depression medication!!! I had postpartum depression with both of my children. My youngest one was the hardest! Then all of a sudden I stopped taking it, because I figured that I could handle it by myself>>>> "I can't!!" I need to go back on it, and my youngest is almost 9 months! It is amazing how stressful children are!! Even more so when life kicks you in the butt! Keep your head up, go to the doctor, and PRAY about it!!! I am not sure if you are a religious person, but it is truly amazing what the Lord will help you with if you just ask! :) As for your friendship>> I am sorry sweetie, I know how hard that is to loose a long time friend! But it will get better, and everything happens for a reason! I personally recommend not to go serching for a friend! If it is a true friend, it will find you! We have less control over our lives than we think we do... if we just sit back and let life run it's course, everything will fall into place! :)

Good luck, and God Bless! ;)

P.

H.,
It's really strange that you would post this because I thought about doing it my self. I comment you for your bravery. I have been feeling the same way lately. Lots of different things going on with my family and myself. I have been getting help for someof the people in my family and that helps me a little but I wonder if i need to do more. I know how you feel about the friend thing. non of my closest friends are near me. I do know that you need to talk to someone friends and a professional. Also, think about why you think you are depressed and then see if there is anything you can do in your power to fix those things. Next, remember you're important and worth something.There are people that need and depend on you so keep moving. Try to find things that make you happy and do them. One day/hour at a time. Hang in there.

Check out these depression TESTS and see if they can help at all. You can try the National Suicide hot line for Depression info also. They have people 24/7 who will speak with you, Call 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433; Call 1-800-273-TALK /
1-800-273-8255 ...

http://depression.about.com/cs/diagnosis/l/bldepscreenqui...
or
http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html

I had the same problem, always tired, sad and had no energy to do anything. I would sleep all the time and would cry at the drop of a hat. I did talk with my doctor about it and he put me on medication. I took Lexapro for a while, but it made me gain weight - which I talked with him about and he switched me to another one - can't remember the name. I eventually went off the pills ...and now deal with bouts on occasion, I have been taking b-6 pills and that seems to help a ton. You also should check at your church for support groups - this may help with introducing you to some friends, or try going to a gym where you can meet people - the working out will help you get out of your funk also. Good Luck.

Have you gone to your doctor? Or have you looked into seeing a therapist?
I have suffered from postpartum depression twice (in fact, I am still dealing with the second one). It is a very real thing and there is help out there. Have you contacted anyone else about this? Getting help is the best (and sometimes the hardest) step to take.
Ree

Your message caught my attention, my heart goes out to you. I'm not sure what your going through but if you would like to E-mail me maybe I could help you sort things out. Remember we were not ment to go through this journey alone.

____@____.com

It is hard to have a really good friend (other than aquaintances).but moving on can be good. think of it as freeing up your time and mind. To start detoxing your mind from thinking of the negative/positive in the past relationship maybe join something that meets once a week. something youv'e always wanted to try, or thought you did. concentrate on that hobby and you will find yourself looking forward to it, later you'll notice the people around you, start talking, and you will have something in common with at least one other person and a brand new relationship is formed. worth a shot. what area are you in, maybe i'll join you!

I recommend that you find a counselor to discuss your feelings. There may be other things, besides a lost relationship, that is making you feel blue.

Until then, keep a journal. Most importantly, LEAVE YOUR HOUSE everyday and talk a walk. If its at a time that works for me, we can walk together :)

Find a hobby. Up until a few years ago, I thought I didnt have any hobbies. Now I fly kites, make jewerly, make my own cards and learned how to cook. I used to like reading too.

Cheer up buttercup