Depression

I suffer from depression. I had done for most
of my life. Because of the many experiences I have had
I cannot help but wonder why me? Sometimes life's situations
become just too much to cope with. A feeling of despair
overwhelms me and I then feel depressed. It is not
something I can just snap out of. I have been to
many psychiatrists and counsellors to try and overcome
my depression. I know that I make some people feel
uncomfortable as they cannot understand why I am
depressed, even though they know that I have been
through so much in life.

I am now 51 in this year 2002 and hope that I can
feel more positive about my life. Sometimes it is
still hard to cope with but mostly I am overcoming
it.

It helps if you have a supportive partner which I
am lucky to have. My hubby Brian has helped me so
much. When I first met him we would often discuss
what made me depressed. I know now that it was my
past where I was forever told that I was hopeless and
helpless. It is discussed more on other pages of this
site.
Depression is not something to be ashamed of.
Many people are inflicted with this illness.
I have had it all my life.

Symptoms

Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood

Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness

Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities

that were once enjoyed, including sex

Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"

Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions

Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping

Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain

Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts

Restlessness, irritability

Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to

treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders,
and chronic pain

Depression,is a physical illness with many more symptoms than
an unhappy mood. The person with clinical depression finds
that there is not always a logical reason for his dark feelings.
For friends and family for him to "snap out of it" provide
only frustration for he can no more "snap out of it" than
the diabetic can will his pancreas to produce more insulin.
Sadness is a transient feeling that passes as a person comes
to term with his troubles.
Depression can linger for weeks, months or even years.
The sad person feels bad, but continues to cope with living.
A person with clinical depression may feel overwhelmed and hopeless.

A person who suffers from a major depressive disorder must either
have a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure
in daily activities for at least a two week period.
This mood must represent a change from the person's normal mood
and impair his functioning in his daily life.
A depressed mood caused by substances such as drugs, alcohol,
or medications is not considered a major depressive disorder,
nor is one which is caused by a general medical condition.