Is anyone suffering from a serious case of depression?

I have been suffering from serious depression for a little over a year now. I used to suffer from mild bouts of it when I was in my teens but I usually came out of it after a week or so. But in this case it has been over a year because of some incidents that have happened to me within the year. I am 24 years old and I feel like my life has been thrown off track. I should have been done with college by now but I am only taking a few classes at a time. It takes alot of my energy to complete a few questions from homework assignments. I missed out on job interviews because I didn't have the energy. I pretty much plan my days/schedules by how long I will be able to sleep in before actually starting the day because of the constant fatigue. The scariest part is when you know what the problem is but it is just so difficult to come through and be healthy again. I'd rather have a physical ailment than a mental health problem.

depression medication. it helppsss :-(

I've been suffering from depression for years, have been seeing a doctor for it, now it seems that i'm Bipolar. The Dr put me on Depakote, I've been on it a few weeks now and it's helping quite a bit. I can function now, and most importantly sleep. I know that I'm on a downward spiral if I don't sleep or sleep too much, that is the first warning sign.

I know how you feel exactly. I was diagnosed with major clinical depression as a teen and I now I am 27 and I am still working on getting "better". It is the worst feeling and yet so many of my friends would never guess that I have this problem. I am on anti depressents, which work to some degree but it is definitly not a magic pill. I used to go to therapy but i dont get anything out of it. In the past I even turned to drugs for release of my sadness. It helped for awhile but in the end made me much worse and very ill.
I wish i could give you a good answer, but i dont know myself. I read many books, etc.
I know this Sounds lame but get the Dr. Phil book and the workbook that goes with it. You will find alot of things about yourself that you never knew. That is one thing that helped a little.
Good Luck to you! I hope seomday someone will come up with an easy answer to being depressed! And dont talk t people who dont understand. They dont get it and will just bring you down.
Please email whenever you feel like talking. I could use a friend going through the same thing, too.

It could be depression and it could be chronic fatigue syndrome. There are online tests and checklists for both of these you can look at. I would see a doctor as soon as possible, because if the problem is chemical you shouldn't allow yourself to be afflicted by it. Life is too short.

Wellbutrin gets phenomenal results, if you're not allergic to it. It changes your point of view and your energy level right away. You can get through the day quickly and you find everyday tasks enjoyable and purposeful. If you see a doctor, ask if you'd be a good candidate for Wellbutrin. I've met people who say it has changed their lives. If you are allergic to it, my second choice would be Effexor. I'm not a doctor, so please talk to one.

I suffered all of my life on and off with depression due to the fact that something that happened in my childhood. I never dealt with it until I felt the way that you do. I did go to several therapists, but none of them forced me to deal with my past. Then I met my last Therapist, he finally convinced me to deal with it, I did fall apart, but once I got through that, I haven't felt depressed since. It has been several years. Depression makes you feel like you never get enough sleep. You want more and more sleep. Sometimes it keeps you from sleeping. Your best bet is to find a therapist that is good for you, and deal with all the skeletons that might be in your closet and move on with your life. Some people have to take meds, and that is ok too. All of these things will help you to feel better. And you deserve that. Good Luck to you

Depression is no small thing, as anyone who's been through it knows. No matter what triggers it, I do believe it is a disease. I've been there and know what it feels like to cry all day long everyday, for weeks. I felt like it was all my fault and there was no way out of it, or around it, or through it, or past it, and had no idea how to fix my problems. It was hell.

My husband was there for me, though. He made me get up and took me out for a Coke whenever I got despondent. He probably regretted it a time or so because the frown on my face was so awful. He made me see a doctor, and from there I was put on medication. That is what turned the corner for me.

One hates to think that they are just bonkers, and their concerns are less than what they think they are, but it was medication that brought me around to being happy again. Without it I slip back to tear city.

I think perhaps my problem was also due to the fact that I hadn't been eating right. I'd lost a lot of weight by trying to become a vegetarian. I cut the meat out of my diet, and did not replace the protein lost by other foods. At least not enough. I also fasted once a week, which I'm sure was detrimental (no pun intended). I am 5' 6" and my weight was down to 120lbs.

Now I'm a healthy (?)165lbs. :-). I love my family and am getting along quite well, tubby as I am.

I hope, and believe things work out for you, too. Hang in there and try to remember there absolutely is hope and promise for your future. It looks like you have made more than one friend by asking your question here, and that's great.

Here are some good ideas:鈥ㄢ€?br> 1. Do something that gets your heart rate up a bit like, walking, running, biking, and swimming.
鈥?. Eat Whole, Organic foods like: Broccoli, Cabbage, Organic Brown Rice, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Apples, and other fruits and vegetables in their Natural State.
鈥?. Avoid eating corn, white bread, white rice, candy, sodas, chips, and anything else that you already know you shouldn鈥檛 be eating.
鈥?. Drink clean water as your beverage of choice. Avoid Fruit drinks and fruit juices (unless YOU juice them yourself)
鈥?. Stop smoking, drinking beer & wine, and drinking coffee.鈥?br> 6. Get 8 hours of sleep each night.
鈥?. Hang out with people who want to be healthy.
鈥?. Avoid anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup.

鈥ㄢ€═one up the muscles:

鈥?. Join a gym and get a trainer.
鈥?. If you鈥檙e short on cash, start a light stretching & yoga regimen.
鈥?. Do push-ups, and light dumbbell curls for the upper body.
鈥?. As I said above, walk, run, swim, and or bike
5. Take an aerobics class, a yoga class, or some other fitness class.鈥?br> 6. Join the local YMCA..

鈥ㄢ€∕ental Health:

鈥?. Get a friend to talk to each day about your feelings.
鈥?. If you have some money or insurance, get a counselor to talk to.
鈥?. Learn how to meditate.鈥?br> 4. Join a support group for the issue you鈥檙e dealing with.
鈥?. Ask your Higher Self (or God) for guidance.鈥?br> 6. Start keeping a diary or journal about your feelings & thoughts.鈥?br> 7. Write a 鈥榞ratitude鈥?list every night.鈥?br> 8. Do something that makes you happy each day like: listen to your favorite music, draw, paint, write, or anything creative.
鈥?. Do something for someone else who needs help.