A combination of meds, therapy, and a few hobbies help me to have more good days than bad ones. You’re not alone with your struggling during this time though. I think we are all having trouble coping with certain things right now.

Depression right now is difficult at best for those who had it before the Corona Virus and there have been many new cases since the onset. I think therapy can be helpful if you find a therapist that is a good match for you. You also have to be ready to receive therapy and do the work it takes to benefit from it. Many recover from depression. For me therapy combined with meds and support groups help me relieve some of the symptoms of depression. Also using coping skills. However are times when I am not ready and do not accomplish much and have to take a step back. I hope you can find relief and peace. This group is very supportive so post as often as you need.

Hey Anna I know how you feel I often times feel like depression is written across my forehead and everyone knows it. I got a new therapist this year and within 20 minutes of meeting her she told me I have severe depression and that I have sense I was probably really little. I felt so weird because I didn’t know this lady and she seemed like she knew me.
I used to make fun of those commercials for medication and how they would show people walking around with a weight of sadness but I now know that’s exactly how I feel.

I’m in high school and I also have anxiety and I think about my future job interviews and I’m scared. Do you have to tell your employer you have depression? Am I cure able? Will I ever be depression and anxiety free? Will I have to tell future boyfriends about it? And how will they react?

Idk if this helped but just letting you know that some people do understand you and I’m free to talk if ya need to!
XOXO Pringlegal72

Hi Anna, I am sorry to hear you are unwell. Have you seen a doctor about your symptoms? You have described symptoms such as fatigue, reduced mental cognition, listlessness, problems with mobility ..... which seem to suggest an additional underlying medical problem on top of your depression. Perhaps your doctor can do further tests to come to a diagnosis and treatment. Hoping that you will recover soon ! Marie :)

thank you guys. for all your support. I've seen doctor. meds have never been right for me. I think may have fibromyalgia which some other poele in my family have had but I have never been diagnoses with. plus I am obese and come from a traumatic childhood. my therapist isn't that great but I've seen a lot of them and she's better than most. some have been just awful

Hi Anna, I have fibromyalgia so I can understand your worries. Perhaps a rheumatologist would be helpful with your autoimmune condition, There is a drug called hydroxychloroquine which is used to treat autoimmune condition including fibromyalgia, that works quite effectively but it takes up to 3 months to build up in the body before starting to have effects. There are side-effects to this drug which include poor vision etc..., but your doctor has to weigh up the side-effects against the benefits that you will gain to see if the drug is suitable.

With some drugs that treat depression, they can aggravate the depression as their side-effects. Treating depression is about trying to correct a chemical imbalance in the brain, so the doctors may have to find drugs that attain that equilibrium. It may take some time through trial and error before finding a suitable drug for you. Perhaps a psychiatrist would be an appropriate doctor to correct this chemical imbalance than the normal family doctor.

People with autoimmune diseases also exhibit fatigue and depression like symptoms, and these are linked to the inflammation of their organs. Perhaps the rheumatologist can do some tests for you, in particular ordering a full autoimmune panel to see and distinguish the autoimmune conditions that you may be suffering from.

I pray to God that you will feel better soon. Please let us know how you are progressing, and keep in touch. Take care, Marie :)

Hi Marie,
thanks for sharing your story with me that's very helpful.

Depression is both ... normal or a disease. As a disease, it takes a formal medical diagnosis. It is not necessarily curable but is considered a manageable disease. It is most commonly and EFFECTIVELY managed with medication. There are other treatments though ... ECT and TMS for examples. They usually work when medications doesn't.

Don't give up. Therapists are helpful, but a psychiatrist supersedes therapists.

Anna,

I have struggled with depression and mental illness for over 30 years now. it is part of you, but it does not define you. You learn to accept yourself and love yourself as you are. Not all days will be wonderful, but they will outnumber the bad ones by far. i hope you find peace with your struggles and they become your strength. We are stronger than most people can understand. Much love to you.