Hi everybody,
I'm so happy I found this site, the program looks pretty good. I have had depression all my life I know understand, and I have done extensive therapy with an excellent councellor about 10 years ago to work through childhood sexual abuse. I feel really good about that, and like it's dealt with as much as it can be.
For me it was harder to admit depression than it was to admit sexual abuse! It seems so self-indulgent and dramatic, qualities I don't like in other people, much less myself!
Depression has always been a part of my life, it also runs in my family. In the past 4 years, I had a severe episode that was unlike anything I had ever experienced, to this day I'm kind of amazed that I got through it. I was absolutely suicidal and for the first time ever I went to the doctor and let it all out- and was put on Celexa which saved my life. Having experienced that, I now know it is an illness- the same as cancer or heart disease or a broken leg... and if you could just "snap out of it" you would!
Anyways, I feel myself sliding backwards. Not nearly to the extent I was once at- I went back on medication about a year ago, and if I have to take it the rest of my life I am OK with that! But lately I am just so listless and bored, and there are days when I don't even leave the house- 3 days is my record. There is nothing I want to do, I don't feel like talking to anyone, I'm not answering the phone, the day just leaks by in a slow blur of fooling around on the internet or staring at the ceiling. I can't bring myself to complete any projects, and I feel like a loser while my husband works from home, cooking some lunch for us, trying to cheer me up. I'm not working right now, having left a very stressful job last winter due to a layoff (which was a real relief!) and I just feel like a bit of a parasite, while he works to support us.
There are just so many "shoulds". I should get another job. I should get off the couch and go running again. I should investgate starting my own business. I should stay in touch with friends and family. I should clean out the linen closet. I should go outside and enjoy the beautiful sunshine. I should finish my art projects. I should work on my novel. I should take a shower and put on makeup... but I can't seem to find the energy to do anything.