Depression ?

Do you think depression holds people back...or is this an excuse? I've been diagnosed with depression...went off my meds last spring and I feel miserable. I'm going back to the dr in jan. I really feel like this depression or SOMETHING has held me back from being what i want to be. I'm afraid to try new things, i basically dont want to do anything...but there's this huge part of me on the inside that DOES want to do so many things. I have a decent full time job and im in school for my masters...but other than that i feel like my life is empty. I dont even know what to think of friendships at times.

Your depression is not your fault. Some chemicals in your brain are out of balance and there are many different meds that can be prescribed. They all have side affects but they affect people differently. If the ones you were taking were not working for you don't just stop taking them. Go back to your doctor and he or she will prescribe a different medication or combination thereof until you find one that you can live - happily - with. Of course your depression is holding you back. Anyone with a decent job, and better ones on the horizon should feel better than you describe.

IF YOU FEEL THAT WAY YOU MAY NEED TO GO BACK ON MEDS. FIND OUT WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF YOUR DEPRESSION, LOST LOVE, SOMEONE DIE, MONEY PROBLEMS? THEN TRY TO DEAL WITH THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE AND DONT LET IT HOLD YOU BACK FROM EVERYTHING. DEPRESSION CAN HOLD YOU BACK IF YOU LET IT.

Yes it does. People don't understand that it's like a weight pressing down on you. It has caused me to loose friendships, good jobs and lots of opportunities for success. If you are taking meds for it, continue. They may take a while but you need it to keep a sort of balance. I hope that you will overcome this and go and live your life. I know it's hard but you have to literally force yourself to do things. Look in the mirror and say great things about yourself and believe that you are going to overcome this and get better. I will keep you in my prayers and I look forward to this year as the year you come out and take on the world!

It sounds like you're doing some healthy things, but people change, go through phases, or find different things interesting/boring. You need to accept that and try to look at it as a learning experience. THere could be a chemical imbalance, but that's not the cause, that's the symptom. You should be able to fix the problem on your own.

First- get healthy- get off of any drugs, alcohol, caffeine that may be altering your brain physiology and try to get to an ideal weight (if you're not already). Exercise and eat right- get all of your vitamins!

Second- Talk to people. Make sure that you're not holding anything back, but that you are aware of your feelings and able to communicate them to people

Third- Make sure you're breathing normally throughout the day and sleeping well at night. If either of these things gets out of whack, it could make you feel like you're losing it or becoming depressed.

Fourth- challenge yourself. The tricky thing about depression is that it will hit you even if you are doing healthy things. If you don't stimulate your brain and challenge yourself, you will lose the impetus to love life.

I would try all of these things before you go pay money to get the same advice or spend more money on pharmaceuticals that could do damage. If you're the type that needs a cure in a pill, look into http://www.amelior4life.com - studies show it's dramatically effective at curing depression and has minimal side effects.

Good luck- and remember- don't worry about it- that may only make your condition worse! It's not just you- changes are normal!