[AshleyG77]

I've been battling depression for a long time and it always seems to be triggered (or made worse) by stressful events.

In a year's time, I had myself feeling great. Excited to greet life everyday with a smile and to continue to grow. But, I changed job locations back in October and the constant exposure to negative people and negative experiences slowly chipped away at my own happiness and contentedness. Unfortunately, this fed over to my personal life (which I didn't realize), and now I have lost a friend over it. This friendship means so much to me and was part of the reason I began feeling so well to begin with. Now, I feel like I am in a tailspin into despair. It's been a week since my friend and I talked and he was so angry with me. I am completely distraught over this loss. Even though we were just friends, I feel like it's a break-up. I truly cared for this person and I thought he cared for me enough to stand by me. I am so hurt and confused. I'm having a hard time letting go and now I feel like I am sinking deeper and deeper. I feel abandoned and alone and like I will never be able to beat this disease. I keep hoping it will just pass with a little time, but I just don't know.

These types of stressful life experiences are killing me. I just want to hide away or sleep forever. I am forcing myself to get out and do things and it helps temporarily, but my thoughts are consumed by this loss.

[Rohag]

Hello, AshleyG77!

Originally Posted by AshleyG77

These types of stressful life experiences are killing me. I just want to hide away or sleep forever.

Pile up stressors on a vulnerable individual and depression is a possibility. You just may need to "to hide away or sleep" for a while to recover some coping power. Does your situation allow you to get away from the more common stresses for a time?

[Leed]

It's unfortunate that your "friend" dumped you when you became depressed! Unless there's more to this, I would think this 'friend' would have supported you more than this. A REAL friend hangs with you thru thick and thin. They understand when you become "ugly" in bad situations. Hopefully he'll think this thru and see where HE may have been to blame.

I'm so sorry you're sinking into depression. I truly understand, as depression has been a constant companion of mine since I was a child. I've had a lot of therapy, and now medication keeps me feeling pretty darn good. I'll probably have to take it the rest of my life according to my doctor.

It's a shame your job situation is so negative. That can really have a huge effect on you, obviously. You may want to consider looking for another job, even tho you just began this job in October. Being in a toxic work place just isn't worth your sanity. I found that true myself after working at a job for MANY years and having a new employee try to drive me out of my job. She almost succeeded -- I ended up suing my employer, and won!!

Get some rest -- regroup, and take care of YOU for awhile. Then see how you feel. Do you really want to stay at that job? Do you owe this friend an apology? Does this friend owe YOU an apology? Is the depression easing or getting better? Should you see a doctor? After you've taken some time to rest, ask yourself these questions and then take some action.

I wish you the very best. God bless & take care of YOU. Hugs, Lee

[Mike_J]

For me stress is "rocket fuel" for my depression. Just my thought but getting out and being around people can be very helpful. When I'm depressed I tend to isolate, the isolation feeds the depression which makes me want to isolate more, a very vicious cycle.

I'm sorry your friend dumped you, wish I had some magic words to make things better, just know we are here for you....