what things did you lose in life because depression

family/ friends

confidence

education

countless missed oppotunities

purpose to life

sleep

I would have to say-

A good college education in engineering which would have earned me a lot of money.

Big time earnings potential in my career as a plumber even though I am a very good one.

Being working poor and unable to work many times has had the biggest impact on me emotionally. I think because of my values of self sufficiency, independence, and hard work. It causes conflict. Depression itself doesn't bother me to much other than when it is long term moderate and robs me of motivation and interest in things.

Being robbed of joy and happiness so much of the time doesn't bother me so much because over the years depression has taught me how to have inner peace, contentment, and a sense of purpose. Hard won and very valuable things to me.

I can't really say I lost confidence or self-esteem because I never had much there to lose. I do think I dipped into the negatives there. Didn't lose friends either, never had any.

I did however lose my interests and the ability to be interested, a lot of money, my sense of purpose in life (and the possibility I was never supposed to have one or find one distresses me), much of my health, and definitely my future. And conceivable one, at least.