Newlifeyeah,

I am glad that you are feeling better and are making improvements. Yay for you, good going. Some of what you are saying is true, it is always very "helpful" to admit problems and talk things out and exchange ideas or advice.

There are a lot of things that can cause the symptoms of "depression". I had debilitating depression that was caused by an implant of a drug to stop my menstrual cycles because I had laser surgery for endometriosis. That drug depleted my system of estrogen which lead to debilitating depression. I had to be given estrogen and I had Zoloft too and it took about two months until I felt better.

In light of that, all the therapy or deep discussion in the world would have not helped me, so I am careful to make sure I "respect" those that are challenged with depression, it may take something "more" than a deep discussion to "feel better".

Aside from that, I will say that often depression can take place from "fear" and "anxiety" or "stress" or out of a situational challenge there is no "quick" remedy for. It can also be some negative messages sent to us as children that added up to struggling with low self esteem and lack of motivation. It can also come from "social pressures" too. There is no shortage of "critical people" and they look for someone who might be shy or sensitive so they can find a way to "put them down" so they can gain some sense of "empowerment".

One of the things that not enough time is spent on in "education" is discussing what kind to behavior patterns are "unhealthy" to self and others. And often not even parents have a clue on what it takes to "raise a healthy minded child". The busiest forums are this forum, depression, and the "relationship" forum.

One thing there is a shortage of is "healthy role models" for many of our youth today.Ummm, is Justin Beiber (not sure of sp) a healthy role model? He is around 19, has more money than probably all the members of PC and then some put together, and he is heading for a big "crash" of some kind.

Our youth of today often feel they have to know who they are and what they are going to be in life and god forbid they don't know that by 19 and even early 20's. They also don't realize that when someone works as a paperboy, then maybe a babysitter, or bust boy/girl, or a waitress, or even at McDonalds, they are "gaining something", experience that is going to "help" in their development.

I remember working as a cashier at a big department store when I was around 17ish. I learned a lot from that job. I learned the cash register, and to count out and balance and I learned a lot about "what people like to buy" too. I liked to move around to the different departments too, makeup counter, records, housewares, coats, men's department. Everywhere I went in that store, "I learned things". I didn't think of it as "just a cashier", because I was always "learning".

Our youth of today, the generation of "late 20's and even early 30's now, all think that if they don't make big bucks and have "important jobs" that they don't have "value". And with all the things we can see now that go on in the world, these upcoming generations tend to get "overwhelmed" too.

In my country of USA, the theme is "change". My country is in "huge debt" now because we need to "change" somehow. I think that the rise in "depression and even suicide" is definitely "changing for the worse". Change really comes from something small somewhere that slowly catches on and grows. Two young kids in a garage fiddling with computers. Look at what you are typing on or holding in your hand, did that change start "big"? Did our country go into huge debt to "just make what you are typing on just "happen"?

I think the biggest part of depression is "fear". And we "do" need to have some "deep discussions" about that. We need to also learn how to "admit" the "fear too". People are even afraid to admit they are "afraid".

One of the things I have noticed in my life time is "people are afraid of the truth too". That's the other biggest challenge that tends to lead to "depression" the inability to "trust". It is not only "trusting others" but also "trusting self too".

Believe, there is another one that leads to depression. If we don't have "trust" how are we going to "believe"? People do not know how to "believe in themselves anymore". And it doesn't matter how much money one has, you can't "buy" it. You can "teach it" and you can "learn it". But, it starts "small" and many people do not understand that now. Believing comes from honesty, and that has been on a big "decline".

What I hear a lot from people is "I don't want to be honest about what is bothering me because they might put me away and give me drugs or think I am crazy or something".

A big part of "depression" is struggling to "think". Who can "think" when they are "afraid", don't believe, and can't trust, and struggle with "being honest and knowing others are honest".

Oh, I could go on, but you did ask for some "discussion" so I gave it a shot.
I can be very "long winded".

OE