Hi Phoboxyl,

I thought I could "fix" my own problems for a long time. I read all of the major self-help books starting with the Power of Positive Thinking and ending with The Secret and books by Louise Hay. I learned all about alternative healing and studied various herbal remedies as well as specific diets such as the macrobiotic diet, eat for your blood-type, the gluten free diet, the Weston A Price recommendations, and the low-protein diet. I had visited eight different doctors over the years due to chronic fatigue and aches and pains.
Finally, four years ago I began to see a therapist and was diagnosed with depression. A year into therapy, she recommended I take medication. What did my mom say? "Medication is a crutch." (This from someone who has been an alcoholic for as long as I have been alive). When did I finally start medication? Two weeks ago!
What blows my mind is that someone would be diagnosed right away if they had a broken leg. Hopefully this is changing.
My thoughts of support are with you. Depression is a serious illness and should be treated as one. I'm so sorry to hear your family wants to believe a different bit of fiction.