[Simply99]

According to the tests here, I am close to off the charts depressed. I kind of knew that already, obviously, as I'm hoping for the next big event in my life to be death just so all the pain will be gone. I'm not sure how paying a stranger to allow you to lay back on his couch and tell them all your secrets would help, but just wondering what is a cheaper, more practical method to use to snap out of this. Been like this for the better part of 3 decades now and options are running out.

[Fuzzybear]

I’m sure that many would suggest “medication” - I’m guessing you’ve already tried this

I didn’t find paying an “indifferent” stranger to tell my “secrets” to helped one bit. But I’ve heard that some therapists do possess that vital quality, empathy .. and if not empathy, compassion. Sadly there are some who are gifted with neither

[MtnTime2896]

It'd really depend on the therapist if it'd help.

Forcing yourself to do things (whether or not you are able to enjoy it) is my method. Don't want to go on a walk, then walk. Don't want to get out of bed, get out of bed. Pretty sure you get the point. I just do this until I can feel some form of release. I also write a lot, which helps sometimes.

I don't really have any cures to offer, or even better advice. To tell you the truth, all of the home remedies, therapy, medication and alternative methods haven't saved me. I'm just sort of dealing, I guess.

[SparkySmart]

In 30 years, you've probably heard it all.

I've never found therapy useful (though I've engaged in it frequently over the years just to talk until I ran out of words or got bored of hearing myself), but I will say this much: If I used the words you've used above to describe myself, my psychiatrist would consider it an emergency, and so would I. I'm generally opposed to medications, but I would surely try antidepressants quickly to jump-start my motor and worry about fine-tuning (or tapering or enhancing) it later. If one class doesn't work, another one might (tricyclics, SSRIs, SNRIs).

I just don't think that "off the charts" is a good place to be. You'll get plenty of support on this site, so keep talkin'. We're listening.

[Nix]

I can't help much but I hope you feel better soon. Depression is really miserable. I'm dealing with it myself right now.

It depends on the therapist, but when I've found a good therapist that I really felt like I connected with, it did help to be able to talk through things. It's worth a try.

[Candy1955]

Me too. I don't go now but it has helped in the past.