Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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EnchantedRose 08/09/2019

Each time I feel even the slightest bit of happiness I think of all the negative things in my life to remind me why I can't be truly happy. I've tried not to, but it feels impossible. "How can I be happy when I have credit card debt and student loans looming over me?" These financial burdens are a HUGE part of my stress and depression, as it feels like I'll never get rid of them. I had someone close to me offer to pay for some of my debt, but then when I tried to pursue the option they said it may not be the best idea after all. It's totally understandable, but I've been fairly depressed ever since because I was given hope and it felt like it was snatched away. Now I feel like I'm back at rock bottom with no hope of climbing up.

Aside from that, I got moved to a new department at work that I've wanted to be moved to since day one. I love my job and I love my coworkers. But my pay does not match the fact that I have 2 degrees, and although it pays my bills it doesn't allow me to contribute anything extra to my mountain of debt. I should be happy that I got a job I've had my eye on for months, but I can't let myself be because it's not enough financially. To add onto that, a few of my family members and my significant other are making double (or triple) what I make yearly, and they never even went to college. I just feel like all my hard work was a waste and I'm a humungous failure. How can I be happy when I'm not as successful as them?

I feel like I jumped around a lot in this post, but I've been dealing with so many different emotions. Thanks to anyone taking the time to read.

LindsayAlone 08/09/2019

EnchantedRose. I share your struggle. I have always been a single parent with no child support. I've never had anyone share costs of living with as I've only lived on my own w/ my 3 kids. I have student loans, credit card debt, and a great degree...too bad I can't lavish myself w/ anything bc I can't afford it. I live paycheck to paycheck w/ nothing to look forward to. I buy groceries and pay bills=my life in a nutshell. I feel like a failure when I have nothing to gain. It's hard to be happy w/ financial problems. It's not easy to fix either. I am pretty sure I am going to feel inadequate in my life for a really long time bc my debts are sure to last. Sorry that you are dealing w/ the similar problem. It's not fair. Colleges shouldn't require so much money unless the pay for the jobs we were seeking actually paid enough to pay the loans back!

Scaredandafraid 08/10/2019

Don't ever let finances dictate your happiness. Sometimes Even money doesn't get to the root of the problem. I have over 125k of student loans, plus several things in collections. I slowly wiggle away at what i can and make due. Even when i was making 6 figures yearly, i didn't feel i was making enough, i was coal mining. I destroyed my body. I left that job and took a pay cut working elsewhere from over 100k a year to 32k. For 2 years then gogota dream job making big money again but it never felt like i was making enough. I had my MBA for 4 years before i got that dream job. I was terminated 6 months ago (my own doing, i blame no one but my stupidity) I'm back to making a minimal amount but I'm happier now than i have been in years. It took anti depressants therapy and coming to terms with what was bringing me down to finally come back up. Don't let money and status determine if your a success or a failure. If you love what you do, you are further ahead of the majority. If you aren't poverty stricken, enjoy what you have. It's about making the most of any situation. If you love what you do and are good at it, success will find you. Believe me, you will never stop chasing that dollar and it will wart you alive. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. Be proud of what YOU have done. Degrees are hard work and you did it! You got the position you wanted from day 1! You are a success no matter how you put it. Dollars Don't determine worth

FaithHope 08/10/2019

EnchantedRose
I think its important thay you are happy and your workplace.
We spend most of our time there
Enjoying what you do and the people you work with makes the day so much better!
Happiness may seem unfamilar to you and when you experience it, almost foreign. I can understand you are overwhelmed with financial burdens, perhaps you could look up
Programs that assist with credit card dept.
Hope things get better for you.

RiSober 08/11/2019

EnchantedRose: Debt and financial burden/stress totally suck, BUT...the three people who have responded before me are SO right and I think that you are SO wrong to think that "successful" is necessarily linked to your take home pay. Oh, it can be, especially when people start and grow businesses, But most people seem to not even like their jobs, look forward to the weekends, think Wednesday is the "hump" day and are happy on Fridays; you say you love your job, which makes you WAY ahead in the game of life. Often I hear on the radio, while waiting to listen to baseball, a financial talk show host; the topic is often the battle against debt. The battle consists of a serious couple of years plan of extra working and serious cutting back on spending anything extra. I guess it is doable, but I do understand that it is difficult. The people doing it seem to be quite optimistic.

EnchantedRose 08/12/2019

Thank you so much to everyone who commented! I will take your words to heart and try to use them to work on myself. I really appreciate you all taking the time to provide me this advice, and I hope we all will make it out of our own little ruts one day!

Scaredandafraid 08/12/2019

We all will. And we all will be here for each other. Anytime your down come back message any of us. Most of us will be glad to be there for you

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