I have had depression for the past 19 years. It has been a long hard struggle to get to where I am now. I feel more like myself now than I have in all these years. It took medications, lots of therapy, hospitalization, partial-hospitalization, posting on WebMD Depression Board, and making new friends from that same board. I had a lot of stress in my life that had to be worked through. The biggest one was dealing with a mental abusive husband that was bi-polar but won't admit it. We got into big financial problems and had to go bankrupt once, credit counseling once, and finally I divorced him because he just kept spending money and lying to me about it.
I now try to help as many people as I can with their depression. I'm not a counselor by any means but I have gone through enough counseling to know suggestions to give to others that they may try to help themselves. I even have phone conversations and e-mail some of the posters on WebMD depression board. We support each other when we are down and when we are physically sick, and even when we have family members that are ill, die, etc.
Having gone through many surgeries, cancer, and falls that affected my health I am finally gaining control over my life. I take Cymbalta 60 mg twice a day which has helped me move on to a better and happier life.
I hope that others of you that are depressed will tell their stories here as well.
Ann