Just found this site and chat room and I'm glad they're here. I've been wrestling with what has been diagnosed as "major depression" since the end of April. I'm taking Effexor, but so far can't feel any improvement. I've got some outpt. counseling sessions scheduled, but first is not for a couple of weeks. I'm on medical leave from work, but still worried about my job. If we catch a flu, we know pretty much what to expect. Not so with this, and its really got me scared. I feel like I'm sinking deeper and deeper into a downward spiral. I also feel that I should be doing something, but don't know what to do. All I want to do is stay in bed (or at least in the house) and avoid other people. From what I've read, I know that these are not uncommon behaviors; neither are they healthy. Until my first therapy app't. (or even after it), are there any things I can do to lessen the disabling ache inside that seems to be at the center of this? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.