Hi to all of you. I was diagnosed on 4/25/08 with Major Depressive Disorder--Moderate. This has floored me and I feel like a failure. I know I've been through a lot in my life, especially the last 9 years, but it was mainly that I was support for other people. I've always been the strong one in my family that everyone could depend on. Plus, my hubby has been super helpful these past 9 years--we worked together for our loved ones and he is fine--no change in him. I didn't think I was depressed, just tired and worn out from 9 years of being strong for various family members in health crises and/or dying. About 5 years ago, my MD (now retired) put me on paxil due to fibromyalgia flare-up and to help me cope through the really tough crisis at the time. Since that time, I've been feeling more and more disconnected from my emotions, loss of memory, slow in thinking, unable to multitask or plan effectively, etc., etc. Mental functioning was really breaking down thus the referal to an Internist/Psychiatrist. He's the one who diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder and is withdrawing me from Paxil and putting me on Cymbalta. The withdrawal has been awful and my emotions have been all over the place--angry, agitated, crying, deeply sad, frustrated, etc. This should all end soon. I am so let down by this diagnosis that now I do feel depressed --I feel I have failed. Is it that the Paxil just masked worsening symptoms and I couldn't feel anything to know that I had emotions and issues to work out? I am hurting and confused. Please forgive me but this is the only safe place to vent. Thanks for listening. JourneyUpward