[wyo1234]

I've been mildly depressed for months and it got really bad within the last month or so. Finally made the big step and saw a counselor this past week who I'll see weekly. Sent me to a doctor who diagnosed me with major depression and started me on effexor which I've now been on for three days.

Trying to understand how I let things get to this point. I've always been the rock that other people have depended on for support. Now I'm the one in need of help but I don't know who to turn to. I look forward to talking to you folks.

[dexter]

Depression sneaks up on us.

I too was a "rock" of support for my friends for 40 years when depression hit me. It got so bad I was hospitalized. I have been unable to work for 4 months now because of the depression.

The best thing you did was recognize it and get help. The meds can really help, but I hope you are aware that they can take 3 to 6 weeks to start working. This is not meant to discourage you but rather to make sure you don't expect a change right away and then get frustrated and give up treatment. There are many drugs available so if this one doesn't work for you keep trying, communicate with your doctor and therapist.

I wrote a paper on depression when I got out of the hospital that may help especially if you have friends or family that want to be supportive but don't understand that this is a disease. The paper is available at http://www.idexter.com