How long have you had depression?? Do you work??

I have suffered from the type depression you are describing and the meds even though I took them did not seem to relieve the darkness much. Each depression lasted 2-4 years and then would clear. Each chore was a struggle and working was a struggle it is easy in my mind to recognize when the darkness leaves. I worked most all my life and went on disability close to 50. Somedays I long to work but I am grateful in this economy to be receiving help. Please just hang in there maybe you could do part-time school I do not know there.

Whoops!

I remember it as far back as age 9 or 10--so about 39 or 40 years. I grew up in a dysfunctional and my parents did not give a flying leap about me--so I pretty much handled it on my own. I remember bursting into tears alot in school in the 4th grade and not knowing why. My teacher finally had to confront my mom about it and my mom got angry at me instead of trying to help me. Plus my dad taught us that only weak people cry. So I stuffed my feelings. I dealt with it by crawling in a hole (figuratively speaking), acting tough, becoming a slob, acting goofy, overeating, cussing, and eventually getting into fights, self-medicating, being promiscous, stealing, and beating the crap out of my younger brother.

I did not get any help for it until I was in my late 20's and was married to my 2nd husband. I went for my annual physical and the doctor insisted that I look into getting help for depression.

Let's see..I'm 22 years old now, I've been depressed since I was about 7 years old. Not a day goes by that I don't consider suicide, or wishing for death. I hate everything I have ever experienced. I lucked out at getting a job, I work at the same place my brother does, and that is literally the only reason why I got the job. I don't even try to pretend I am not depressed. I never smile, and never say a word unless I have to. Thankfully, I don't have to have a lot of human interaction at this job, it is just typesetting on a computer all day. This is the only job I can do, if I lose this then I'm screwed.

Hi. i have suffered from depression for at least 10 years now. i am currently on medical leave due to some physical problems and have decided today that i really need to see a therapist and extend the medical leave because of the depression. Right now, i am just so depressed that i dont want to go anywhere or do anything or as you mentioned, i dont even want to talk to anyone. My husband and grown children and step children helps to keep me going, but i still don't want to leave the house. i have never been this depressed before and i dont understand why im feeling the way that i do. im also on 3 major depression medications that are for physical conditions that i have, but wonder how i could possibly be depressed taking those meds every day. im not sure i will be able to hold down a job any more, it really worries me. Hope i havent gone too far off topic, just wanted to let you know that i can relate to alot of what youre saying. Thanks so much for the time and i hope you are able to find some relief soon.

About 16 years now. I do have a job, but I call out enough that I've used all of my PTO for the year. I was talking to my husband about this just a few days ago, and we calculated that I've actually had 15 jobs in 16 years, and for 6 of those years, I was unemployed. So I would say depression has definitely made it hard to work, though when I'm manic, I do a great job.

I know what you mean about manic! I do LOVE my manic episodes. I'm so focused and energized then.

I forgot to mention also, that I was on meds for a short while but then I started worrying about what people would think of me so I stopped and tried to self-manage. But the next 20 years (give or take) were pure hell. I finally got back on meds and am getting the help I need.

no work here either.

could never manage it

I have had depression and anxiety since early childhood. Mostly chronic depression with frequent bouts of severe depression. I began seeing a psychologist at age 11 but did not start receiving any real releif until SSRI's came along. The SSRI's made working a job much more do-able. Yes, they have some nasty side effects and are hard to get off of but I spent the last nine years actually feeling productive. I had to go off of Effexor due to insurance issues and now I feel myself going back down into the pit.

I do not have a regular job now and cannot seem to pull it together enough to work my home business. I was let go from my job of 17 years because of degenerative arthritis in my hands so I am on disability, which I am very glad for.

Even with the Effexor I was depressed-but not like this. I get to the point where I scare myself, like I'm not me anymore. So, I am going to find something else that will work for me and is on my prescription plan.

Some supplements that work to help the effectiveness of SSRI's are SAM e and Omega 3 Fish Oil but always check with your doc or pharmacist when mixing supplements with any drugs. Some supplements are just as strong as prescriptions.