I am sure there have been several threads in the past and in different locations regarding depression and our band process, but this is about me so I am starting a thread.

February has not my friend. My oldest son's birthday is the day before Valentine's and that so far has been the highlight. My husband and I actually have a very strong relationship, but it seems, without fail, that we always end of fighting on Valentine's. I think I officially hate it. I'll save my romance for a non-commercialized day, thankyouverymuch.

There have been 4 bad-food events in just these 2 and a half weeks. And I know food choice should be up to me and that it is possible to make good choices even when someone else is serving nothing but junk, but my head has been in such a bad place that I have definitely turned to old habits for coping. I am actually surprised that I haven't gained any weight, though it has fluctuated a few days.

I can't always tell the difference between stressful situation-depression and real depression. My husband is looking for a new job, I don't work and home school my oldest. We want to move (in a better neighborhood at the least, out of state if that is where work takes us). Neither of us have family in TX as we are not from here, and I guess I just don't feel like I have a lot of support right now.

Right now I am leaning toward both - situational and real. I already take a mood stabilizer and am thinking of adding back an antidepressant. But right now this is really affecting my eating. I only eat about 2 meals and a snack (sometimes 2) a day but I know I am eating too much. And eating slider foods.

Has anyone else fought depression while going through this whole banded process? I know people have. I would love to have some advice because I am feeling particularly alone at the moment. How do you stay strong when you feel like sh!t???

@@Grateful_Love, I agree. I'm not a therapist but have seen one on and off for years. As more or less stated above, I had to get stable before I could even process the baggage. It's been a tough road. I wish holistic measures would work. I am not anti-meds; I just wish I were a "normal" person. But mental illness runs in my family and that's not something I can run from. I've watched my mother do it (still does) and it's not pretty. I just want to be healthy - mind, heart, and spirit, and body.

I am sure there are people who truly need these types of meds...now take this as you will, but this is my view on them for depression...not bipolar disorder/mania....which for a true "bipolar" label is a hugely different diagnosis than mild to moderate depression.

Because you have a bad day or a tough pitch at work then come home to also manage everything at home does not make you depressed.

Feelings are normal. You are happy, sad, excited, nervous, giggly, upset, you want to scream, laugh out loud.....those are normal everyday feelings that we as humans have. They are NORMAL reactions to living in a chaotic world. Are you unhappy at work or at home? If so...make a change. We are not trees, we can move....

To me, walking around in a fog was not the right approach. Changing my views and ways of thinking was....I'm just saying if people want to truly be happy...look for it in life, and the TRUE blessings around you. not a pill.

pills aren't a cure all. The simply cover the underlying issue.

For those of you that these have worked for, I hope they have indeed helped you....and I commend you for being able to come forth and say they have helped. There is no judgement from me. I was on them for years. Maybe I am the minority here, but they made my life worse.....I didn't care about anyone or anything, even myself. I could have cared less if I lived or died....so did it make me any happier? Was I no longer depressed because I didn't give a sh*t anymore?

I thought this was an interesting short read that just came out

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140225122429.htm

http://chriskresser.com/the-dark-side-of-antidepressants