Thank you, Fuzzybear. UR like the depression/crisis DETECTIVE,
that finds us, validates us, and gives us hope to carry on, because you care so much about us all.

But every good detective needs a shield, too.

I'm embarrassed by my frantic posts to Jman the other night. Why? Because as I was quickly typing those thoughts that constantly run through my (depressed) mind, wanting to help him to survive,
I forgot that other people would be reading them too.

And although my survival tactics might be useful, when people like me and Jman fall into these depths of despair,
I left out a few important points, such as
DEPRESSION LIES!

Depression is like a cancer that spreads and grows, except it is very contagious.
And, because it has become so hard for me to feel hopeful these days,
my notes to Jman were solely focused on survival.

Fuzzybear, put up your shield, and cling to hope, because it's the best remedy to counteract depression (and to prevent falling prey to the lies depression so often creates).

Everybody's life has hope, and when we can't recognize it,
sometimes we have no other choice than to step back and take a break,
which means we need to simply stop thinking about whatever it is that leads us back to thoughts of giving up.

Again, the lies of depression, mask hope and can be very contagious.

Even those with the worst possible lives, should be able to feel some hope,
and if after "taking a break" , anyone keeps falling back into the despair and hopelessness,
it seems clearly evident that some chemical in the brain is missing or depleted,
that really should be checked out.
That’s kind of where I’ve been stuck.
My hope for good things in the future disappeared.

My problems in life are real (situations/events/traumas, challenges of day-to-day life), but my thoughts on giving-up are probably more based on lies; Future is not as bleak as I believe it to be.

And that’s what I hoped to do for Jman, when I tried to answer/address all his questions.
I did not have solutions (ways to fix the problems or feelings), but knew he needed to keep going (living), even when it seemed so hard or wrong,
because his perceptions for his future could/would likely change,

and good things (feelings) would/could return.

U seem like one of the most positive/hopeful people here at PC - But if u don't always feel that way, and it becomes too hard to pretend, take a break, rest, recoup and/or whatever it takes to reclaim your strength.

And feel free to PM me any negative thoughts U can't suppress, because I'm sure I'm thinking the same types of things;

It's what I call the "lies of depression", which seem real, sometimes until we tell someone about them or we hear someone else saying the same type of things.
It's like when I think my life has no value or purpose, and then even a stranger might remind me that it does...
Or when I think only more bad things will happen in the future, and nothing good, and again, somebody, even a stranger reminds me it will/can.