feeling down

I understand what your going through all too well and I hate to hear that you're going through a rough time. I'm going through a really rough time myself, but luckily I have a good network of friends, most who I have met on this site. The depression thread on here is a good place to go an let it all out. Unfortunately, a lot of awesome ladies on this site suffer from depression as well, but are all extremely supportive of one another.

I don't know if you're from the US or not, but if you are your family fight qualify for food stamps. I've been out of work since May and never thought I'd have to use government assistance, but it's a nice benefit to have and it's not that hard to apply for. The technical name for the program is SNAP. I don't know if your family would be open to receiving help, but I say if it's out there and you're eligible for it; take it.

Don't worry about the Etsy situation. My store has been pretty successful, but I haven't sold anything since around Christmas time. Don't give up on it. Do some promotional things such as plugging your shop on Twitter, Facebook, or even here in the Swap thread.

Try your best not to let that voice inside of you to stop doing what you enjoy. It's hard as hell, but you've got to fight it because it wants to see you fail. I have bipolar disorder and liken it to a battle between good and evil going on inside my head. Don't let that negative part of you win! Kick it's ass and show it that you're in control and you're not going to let this illness get the best of you. We're here if you need us, so don't hesitate to ask for help. I'm glad you felt comfortable enough to do so already. Stay strong because you're definitely not in this alone.

my mom had a burn-out and bad depression a few years ago. then my dad divorced her, this didn't exactly help but she got out of it anyways. she's still very tired, also partly out of a blood problem lots of the women at my mothers side of my family (maybe me too) have.
she could've used antidepressants the doctor would've given her, but she didn't because they're extremely addicting. so she used (in dutch) st. janskruid
its a jar we get from the kruidvat, a store that has pills and stuff like that. its a herb with little yellow flowers, working as a natural antidepressant. maybe you could get some of these pills? they work really well. also, she writes down her day everyday to get it off her chest/mind.
and she thinks of 3 nice things of the day every morning before getting out of bed and before going to bed every evening.
and the self-help books of dr. burns and a couple others have helped a lot too.

Sorry you're feeling that way, Lakesha, and I hope being able to talk about it and share it with us helps a bit.
Always remember that things WILL get better, everything changes and we all find a way to survive.
I think suzi P is talking about St. John's Wort, it's a herbal remedy, so it may be worth trying?
Keep going with your etsy shop, and keep trying to do things you enjoy. Search out information on recycled crafts, that way you can keep busy and creative without spending lots of money.
And keep talking..to your friends where you live, or your new friends online....don't bottle it up, and remember, you are not alone *big hugs*

I just want to clear something up. A majority the antidepressants that are readily used in the US are not habit forming. Anything can become an emotional addiction, but as far as becoming physically addicted to anti-depressants, it not really something you have to worry about. People who truly suffer from a mental illness, meaning there is an imbalance of chemicals in their brain, often need medication to get better because it normalizes their brain chemistry. I'm one of those people whose brain chemistry is out of whack, therefore in order not to get sick I have to take medicine just like someone with diabetes has to take insulin.

I think it's great that herbal remedies work for some people, but others require prescription medication to see an improvement in their symptoms. I'm not saying that medication is the only answer to battling depression because it's not. Good coping skills, such as Suzi's mom's journaling, are also essential in recovery. As are the basics like good nutrition and exercise.

I just felt I had to say something because often times depression is not taken seriously or seen as an actual illness and people who are really sick and need treatment won't seek help because society has made them feel they're making it all up or that it's something to be ashamed of. Depression and other mental illnesses can be deadly diseases and should be taken as seriously as diabetes or cancer. If left untreated, or improperly treated, a mental illness can result in death whether it be by suicide or risk taking behaviors such hardcore drug abuse.

(I apologize if I sounded preachy.)

no kiddo, you didn't sound preachy.

I am on meds for my depression, it helps but they are expensive. But Lakesha check out govenmernt funding for your family, try food banks too.

One thing about depression is to get it treated befor it gets too bad. Some types of depression are resistant to drugs, but there are other treatments. Talking about it helps.

thanks everyone! I do take medication for depression kiddo,and no you don't sound prechy my brain chemistry is really out of whack. I've tried St. Johns wort but it didn't help any. Sad thing is the voice in my head is more than one.

wait hon, are you hearing voices? you should seek medical help right away. You may need to change your meds

Lakesha, if you're able you need to see a doctor because you may be dealing with something more than just depression. I have "voices" that tell me bad things about myself, but I can't actually hear them, they're just thoughts. If you can actually hear these voices you may have I psychosis of some kind. You may require anti-psychotic medication that will stop or elevate the voices inside of you. The most important thing is that you seek proper treatment so you receive the right medications and therapy if needed. Maybe that's why your having such a hard time managing your depression, b/c that's not all it is. Please keep us updated. If things get too bad, don't hesitate to go to the emergency room. I've done it before in order to keep myself safe. ((((Hugs))))

Lakesha, if you're able you need to see a doctor because you may be dealing with something more than just depression. I have "voices" that tell me bad things about myself, but I can't actually hear them, they're just thoughts. If you can actually hear these voices you may have I psychosis of some kind. You may require anti-psychotic medication that will stop or elevate the voices inside of you. The most important thing is that you seek proper treatment so you receive the right medications and therapy if needed. Maybe that's why your having such a hard time managing your depression, b/c that's not all it is. Please keep us updated. If things get too bad, don't hesitate to go to the emergency room. I've done it before in order to keep myself safe. ((((Hugs))))

yes please do, and sometimes you may dismiss those vocies as thoughs, but like kiddo said it could be more. Please let us know

well I have Major Depression with psychotic features and I've been on three anti-psychotics counting the one I'm on now and they don't seem to help any. My former psychiatrist said she didn't know how to help me,and right now she's on vacation. I ended up moving cities so I needed a new psychiatrist which I won't be seeing until march. i feel like my thoughts are being broadcasted and that I cause bad things to happen in the world. And the voices egging me on don't help.

Kiddo yeah I could do that but in the past 8 yrs I've been in a psych hospital over 12 times. Everyone around here is tired of me and thinks I just want attention,even the nurses and doctors hate to see me back again. It makes me feel so awful,like I'm beyond help. I try to help myself by keeping busy but all I feel is holllow and dead inside even with things I enjoy,I volunteer,I write,I try to talk to people but nothing

Have a check of this link http://tallguywrites.livejournal.com/133179.html?page=1#comments
A friend found it a while back and I printed it out at work (I also work in mental health) and gave a few copies to our hearing voices group and some of our Under 30s group and we're hoping to get a copy of the book when its released for work as we thought it was really well written and helpful at explaining some of the symptoms. I'm also trying to get hold of an excellent book one of the hearing voices group brought in for me to read. It was given to him by his CPN and was apparently produced by one of the drug companies (I think they produce Respiridone) and that was very similar and also very good. If it gives you any hope, this particular client still hears voices and experiences many of the symptoms but has learnt techniques to manage them so that he is still able to live his life. He's in his mid thirties now and it has taken him time to do but he's actually managed to make friends with some of his voices so they can help back him up against the bad and bullying voices. He's also learnt to negotiate with them so that he 'books them in' at a time so they don't bother him so much other times.

well no matter what those doctors think, you need help. Are there any other treatment centers? Sometimes you need to find the right fit. I also think you need to find the right treatment before it progreeses too far. Its sounds like you are suffering alot, I really hope you get help soon.

and I understand how you feel about doctors, I had to wait 4 months to see one and she dismissed my claims, but then I saw another one and she helped me.

I also spotted this http://www.intervoiceonline.org/