IMO there is no such thing as "just" a headache. You have the right not to suffer pain, and headaches can be so debilitating.

I've found I have much the same kind of problem as you do--I tend to remember only the painful parts, not the happy ones. My mother is exactly the opposite. She's been through hell but she'll talk like her life has been nothing but wonderful. I'm not sure that's any better, because that's denying reality!

I'd suggest sitting down with your children and explaining that Mommy has an illness, and we're all working on ways to help Mommy get better. Understand, please, that it *is* an illness. Not a sin, not a weakness, not a character defect. And part of the reason for your daughter beginning therapy now would be to learn how to cope with the fact that Mommy has an illness.

And I know *exactly* where you're coming from. When my oldest daughter was in second grade, she made a little booklet for school illustrating scenes from her home life. She drew a picture of me right where I usually was. In bed.

As for meds, I just had a complete change last December when my previous antidepressant just up and quit working. For a while there, I was pretty squirelly while I was adjusting to new meds, but I did, and you will too. I've got a lot of good support, here and elsewhere, for going through rough patches like I'm in now, but believe me of all people when I say things *do* get better.