Living with depression? ?

Question

For about 3 years now I have had major depression. Anything at this point just seems to get me down even more. When I try to think of the things I love and have interests in, I can barely find any and I seem to not be as happy with them as I used to be. Part of me wants to stay away from people because I know that having this negative attitude all the time can just get annoying to them. I don't think people have faith in me anymore and my parents really don't seem proud of me anymore. The only thing really keeping me here is the fact that I love God and wouldn't want to take the risk of ending my life and winding up in h**l because of it. I've had counselors and tried meds before, but I really think you have to have the will power to want to change your life into a positive life. So my question is will I ever get out of being depressed? I don't have that will power to want to make my life better, because I don't feel like I'll ever be okay again. I asked a counselor that once and she told me I could possibly be stuck with it for my whole life which just made me feel even worse. I don't want to be this way, but yet I can't seem to change it. I also suffer from panic attacks which seem to come out of no where at times. All of this makes me feel like a week person. Sorry if this was a long post, but thank you to those who took the time to read it.

Answer 1

I know that what the counselor told you made you feel even worse. But I think that one of the first steps is to acknowledge that you have depression and that it is just possible that you will have to deal with it for a long time. This is something that you cannot fight alone. You need to rely on your family and friends BUT putting a lot of your own will power to get through it. I know that you think that they can get annoyed but they won't understand if you don't let them know how you feel. Think that more than being annoyed they feel powerless because they try and try and you keep feeling the same way.

If any of your friends turn their backs on you, just think that it's not worth to have them as friends.

Something that might help a lot is if you start reading about depression, its causes, consequences, what triggers it and so on. This will at least give you a broader spectrum of your problem and more chance to deal with it. Try to get your family involved so they read about it too.

Remember you are not alone and it is not worth to take the easiest scape. I am sure that you are a good person and that your parents love you and will be there for you if you let them be. But don't forget that this is a combined effort: they can help you but you have to make good use of it. Become a fighter and throw the first and last punch. Good Luck!  

Answer 2

Just because you might have a vulnerability to depression your whole life doesn't mean you can't feel MUCH much better.

I suggest looking up www.recovery-inc.com and seeing if there's a recovery group in your area.  Then you'd get peer support and encouragement and also cognative therapy tools to help you recover.

When you're battling depression all by yourself it can be even more depressing for sure.  But it can be very empowering to be with others who are also helping themselves and succeeding. And you also get lots of positive feedback on your own efforts, and that keeps you motivated.

Also, if you can afford it, sometimes working with a caring naturopath,  yoga teacher, personal trainer, acupuncturist or other complimentary health professional can be a great alternative to therapy.  ...just that feeling cared for and having someone to motivate you and give you new things to try.

IMO, just about any alternative health professional is less jaded about mental health issues than therapists and they are often more genuinely caring.  

Also, if you can afford it, I wouldn't give up on medication.  It can take a while, but when you get the right one or combo, you'll feel SO much better.  

Answer 3

yes i have been depresed for 5 years im finally on the medication and im getting my life back i regret not taking this med sooner it is your chose you have to live life you cant waste it being deprressed med can help you but YOU also have to help yourself they work together please learn from me its hard in the beginnig but you feel so much better after BE POSITIVE NO MATTER WHAT IS BEING SAD GONNA CHANGE THINGS BEING NEG NOTHING POSITIVE COMES FROM BEG NEG I TTURNED TO GOD MYSELF AND MED I was on med for 5 months ativan and lexapro and no bad effects it really SAVED ME i know it can help you so the question is are you ready no one can force you but arent you ready to end this Depression GOD BLESS YOU IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE YOU CAN DO THIS =) i came out so much stronger i learned so much through my sufferings now my happiness isnt takin for granted i probably enjoy my life more now than i ever would have

Answer 4

You're not a weak person.  You have the determination to live despite what circumstances are telling you. I'm glad that you express love for God and have not chosen to take your own life.

I doubt that you'll be in this stage forever, as long as you're willing to change it.  And don't worry too much about the panic attacks; anyone suffering from anxiety can have them. It doesn't mean you're weak.

I wish you the best! (= Maybe you should try looking for a new counselor/therapist? I'm sure the right one can lead you to a better path.  

Answer 5

Cheer up mate. I live with depression too. I am having a realy bad day. Well, the past couple have years have been bad for me, but, do you know what I do??? I pretend that everything is good. I pretend to be happy even tho I am not. I pretend to enjoy things, pretend to laugh, make jokes with people and laugh with them even tho I may be having a c**p day. I will tell you I have had everything thrown at me in the past years, and, I am still here. The bills keep on coming, cant find a job, on top of everything else. You have to look on the bright side, its easy to say, but, trick yourself into being happy, then you will have true happiness. Set a goal, an easy one, and achieve it!!! It will make you feel so much better. You will believe you are happy eventually. I have tricked myself through depression. I still get c**p days, but, I make it look like life could not be better to everyone around me, they are happy to know me because I am not brining them down with my sadness. You get back what you give. You seem happy to them, they will be happy to you, etc, etc....

Achieve something my friend, ACHIEVE. Its not the end of the world. BE HAPPY, (even if you are just pretending)

Goodluck, Jane

Answer 6

Perhaps you're in a slump. Manic stages can last a number of years & people go in & out of them. I think its great you wouldn't take your own life. I also feel that you are strong enough to change. Just by posting this message is taking a step in the right direction & showing you are strong enough to change!!!!

I wish you nothing but the best & hope things turn around for you very soon!!!

Answer 7

all the things you wrote are the depression coming out in your correspondence. I'm not religious but if god is keeping you here then that's a good thing. its true some people have depression all their life's but others recover and lead a so called normal life.and panic attacks are horrid and only people who have had depression and panic attacks really empathise with the wat you feel. try not to worry about if your parent's are proud of you,it really doesn't matter what others think.you seem a very strong person by the way you haven't ended things and you should be proud with yourself for not giving in to this illness.people always say change your life,not knowing how hard that is to do with this condition.is there anything you even slightly like doing or have done in the past?no matter how small it is grasp it and use it now.you don't say how old you are now or how old you were when this problem started,but try to remember what life was like before you became poorly and you will eventually see that it is not always going to be the way things are now.

YOU CERTAINLY ARE NOT WEAK!!!!! your a survivor so be proud of that at least. look after yourself.