I actually answered part of the question- can people be addicted to depression?
Not really sure on that one- but what I don know from personal experience is that Iknow how to get out of this rutt- I know what I have to do to change the view outside the window of my life- i think alot of us do to- its self empowerment we lack- well at least me in this sector- I say to myself "get up! its your day off make it happend" the real struggle is "doing"
you know maybe it is addictive to curl into a ball and wait for the outside miracle to happen- ill be thinking about this one for sure.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their input and spinning their wheels on this topic.

Maybe it's your perfume or mesmerizing 6th finger lola...

On a serous note... Can you be addicted to something you already are?

Wow...something i've been thinking about lately but never thought of it that way. Thanks for putting my feelings into words for me, something I'm not good at. You are not alone!

Merriam Webster:

"1 : the quality or state of being addicted
2 : compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal ; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful"

We throw the word addiction around a lot in our society. To the point, even, that it loses its meaning.

I think that people can become addicted to being depressed because it gives them an excuse for their problems. I suffer from depression and oftel tell myself that I am feeling this way because I have a problem. Often I use that as an excuse to not change what I am doing and just wallow in my own self pity.

When I decide to get up and do something about it, I feel better.

I asked myself this same question the oher day. Sometimes something triggers my depression. Sometimes I feel it slowly creeping up on me and in my mind I recognize it and try to fight it, to prevent it from consuming me. But I have also recognized that I am depressed for other reasons or I choose to be depressed. Now, why would one choose or allow themself to be depressed. My answer to that is there must be some sort of "payoff". Some payoff perhaps in terms of more attention from his/her spouse, or doctor or therapist or from someone. But also, sometimes, as in my case, I do find comfort in depression if it means I can isolate myself and confine myself to my "comfort zone". Sometimes I think I actually choose to be depressed because that way I can be mad at the world and it's me against the world, and screw everyone else, etc. etc. Sometimes the feeling of depression allows me to retreat to a safe place and then I can comfort myself. I wonder if this is what you are referring to.

I think that believing that you choose to choose to be depressed is a lot more comforting than knowing that you have abslutely no control over this disease.

Thanks HAPPYDADDY2! What you said really resonated w/me! It really made sense and I think I do the same thing.

As far as addictions... I was a sexaholic (mostly b/c I was on the wrong meds) many years ago and did a lot of stupid things.

I was a spendaholic before and ended up going bankrupt and now I am just trying to get by w/o spending since I don't have credit cards anymore.

I was/am still a foodaholic unfortunately!

I don't drink or do drugs or smoke or anything.

I have had depression since 1990, when I was 18 and am still coping w/it. I don't think you ever really "figure it out." You just learn your own individual pattern and how to cope with it.

I like to think that we are ALL FIGHTERS! :)

I've thought of this many times. It can feel like that yet give it some time and you'll know depression is real. Very real. It can be like an old friend because that's all you've ever known. Depression is a harbinger of your potential. It asks you to express what your feeling despite the barriers it imposes upon you.