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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Bill1130 12/07/2013

I am 44 years old. I have struggled with depression and anxiety since I was 21, when I was first hospitalized. I have gone years at a time with no symptoms, but at some point my mental health always breaks down again. I am here to find out how others cope with the debilitating effects of chronic depression, because it has just worn me out. I have been in the hospital many times and am just tired. I have lost many jobs and friends because of my illness, and I have only minimal contact with my family(phone calls, e-mail). I haven't worked in 2 years and am on Disability now, a situation I never found myself in before, no matter how sick I was. The feelings of hopelessness and futility are bad enough, but the horrible physical symptoms(unexplained pains, insomnia, dizziness, fatigue, etc.)are even worse. I am interested to find out from others who have suffered for years from this illness how they deal with all of the attendant problems. If you have read this, I thank you.

WanderingVet 12/08/2013

I only know about depression/anxiety from my own experience. For me, the typical medications given work well.

There may be varying degrees ... and yours may be severe .. severe enough that conventional or ... 'common' depression treatment doesn't help you.

Have you looked into ECT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroconvulsive_therapy

or TMS?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcranial_magnetic_stimulation

Those few I know of that have done either swear by it. You should discuss it with your doctor.

Bill1130 12/08/2013

I have wondered about ECT because my depression seems to be of the drug-resistant variety, in that it continually recurs after years of being relatively manageable. So it puts me in a state of constant uncertainty of when my reconstructed life will fall apart. I've heard that electroshock can be very effective in treating severe forms of depression. Thanks for the reminder.

deleted_user 12/09/2013

I hope today you have a bit of peace Bill. I've had depression since I was 18 and it ebbs and flows-though perhaps not with the severity you described.

Hang in there and if you ever need to talk...

muskrattiger 12/09/2013

I have suffered from depreshion all my life I have never been with some leaves of depreshion ...this is the third time I have had to have meds to help me but there were other times when I realy could of used them and just kept everything inside ....that is the worst thing you can do is keep things in side especualy the things that have hurt you in your past and present they need to come out if you want to heal .....also once you have broken it is easer for you to break again and I did not see this break comming .........and last year it got realy bad I thought I might have to go to the hospital but I managed not to ...so I am back to ware I was a year ago ......it has been 9years and the doctor thinks that I will need meds for the rest of my life .....I have my head above water but ware I am is not an easey place to live in ......my big break was 20years ago I never talked I kept everything inside ...big mistake. I had started crying every time I was alone I had no control than I started crying all the time day and night than I stopped talking and my husband brought me to the hospital ...they gave me ect .....because I was going dowen to far to fast .....I never ever want to get to that place again ....I can't even explain how bad it was ...that I lived through it is a miricle ....the ect was a life saver ....with out that I realy don't know ware I would be today .....it does have a side efect. You forget a lot but once some one talkers to you about it you do rember ......I wouldn't want to have to much but if given responsibility if I needed it I would get it again with out question ..........one thing you have to stop being hard on your self because you have depreshion and can't work it is not your fault you have it .....it is often pased dowen there is a lot of depreshion on my fathers side of the family and I have siblings with problems with it but not as bad as me also I have one son who is bi polar and is now controlling it with out meds and doing good ......he listeners to his family if they tell him he is not acting within his normal range and he deals with it ........a nother son who has it off and on but is not on meds ......I do understand your feeling bad because you can't work because I also have always had chronic migrains all my life and could never work and I would beat up my self over it untill I realized I didn't ask for it but I have it so I have to accept it and live my life around it the best I could .......and be good to my self .....and not listen to those who spoke who dident know what they were talking about .........people who have not gone through depreshion have no idia what we go through ....we don't even speak the same language. So if I were you .. I would concidere the ect if you are having to go to hospital so often at the same time you don't want to have it to often and you might need help rembering some things ......but the benifets are worth it .......so you are number 1 you take care of your self and be good to your self .......I will keep you in my prayers ...god bless

AK32 12/10/2013

I think many of us have had a long struggle. I believe my depression surfaced when i was 13 - im now 33. I wasnt clinically diagnosed til i was 20 and only recently did we figure out i really have bipolar I. I agree. Its very tiring. I have never been on disability. I have always worked. My therapists and doctors have always marvelled at how well i conceal my depression which is part of my curse. I am takin like 12 pills everyday, not including supplements and i still feel like SHIT! Its like -- whats the point?
Your family gets sick of your whining, your place of employment doesnt understand what an undertakig it is just for u to show up for work everyday -- i also care for my young children which is exceedingly difficult. I was recently hospitalized in a crisis recovery center for 5 days.
I guess i dont really have an answer for u. It was helpful to read your comments and know im not the only one. And i would love to be a support to u. Therapy had been crucial. Trying to take life one day at a time.... But right now im just really discouraged. After u fight your way up to the top of the heap so many times, only to be thrown back down into the abyss - yet again --- it can feel overwhelming

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