Thank you all for the responses above. I did take a Sudafed tablet this morning and seem to feel a little better. But I don't think I'll keep doing that. With me I usually can trace back to what sets off an episode of depression. Same with anxiety. Having both of them together is awful. Usually being depressed seems to alleviate anxiety somewhat for me.

I know there are some things I'm worried about. I've read that for some people, depression is reactive. That seems to be true of me. I've had some chest pain this morning, which I only get from anxiety. That only happens to me a few times per year.

8888, I've been on all those meds except for Paxil. They didn't help me. That's why I am on the tricyclic, amitriptyline, which doctors prefer not to use today. It's an old fashioned drug with a lot of side effects. When I increased it before Christmas, it gave me a sore throat. That's happened before with that drug.

I increased the amitriptyline on my own because that's what pdocs have had me try doing in the past. Wasn't real helpful.

I have an appointment tomorrow with the housing authority that is about getting a housing subsidy, which will be a big financial help to me. I am extremely worried about this . . . beyond what makes any sense. I have to go home and put together paperwork for the meeting. Right now, I'm at my boyfriend's place and dread leaving here. I even dread getting out of bed. I just want to hide from everything.

I hate talking to doctors about any problems, but I'm desperate for some kind of help. When I was seeing them frequently and being put on a lot of different psych meds, they wouldn't listen to me about how different meds actually made me feel worse. That's why I don't trust them anymore and see them as little as possible.

I was on Ritalin for awhile about 3 years ago and became a complete nervous wreck. I didn't even know Ritalin was the cause, until I was out of it for a few days and felt much better. Instead of suspecting the Ritalin, the pdoc wanted to have me get ECT. I am so afraid of them pushing stuff on me that doesn't help or makes me worse.

I wish I could go talk to a doctor, but I'm afraid to.