Depression or Sadness: How Do You Know?

HELLO , MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU. THE SUDDEN DEATH OF YOUR WIFE IS A PAINFUL THING TO GO THROUGH, AND ON TOP OF ALL THE OTHER LIFE CHANGING EVENTS I WONDER HOW YOU GET THROUGH THE DAY. I READ YOUR SHAREPOST AND IT MADE ME THINK OF SEVERAL THINGS...AM I DEPRESSED..OR AM I SAD, BECAUSE MY LIFE HAS CHANGED SO MUCH IN THE PAST 4 YEARS...SAD--DEPRESSED--WHAT AM I ? YOU HAVE GIVEN ME SOMETHING TO REALLY THINK ABOUT....I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS...GOD BLESS YOU....JENNIFER

Dear Christopher~  

  I am very sorry for your loss!   I can't even begin to know what pain you are in emotionally.   I will pray for you in every aspect that I  can.  Your pain, your health and your well being. 

  Depression is something that I have been struggling with since the loss of my father.  The anger and intense feelings that still haunt me they say will pass.  In time. 

 It is fate that I read your page today.  I am feeling like something bad is going to happen when I don't have a reason to.  Today is what I call a heavy day, not fun.  I quit taking my lexapro about 2 weeks ago, bad move.   I have to get back on them today.   I just want to cry cry cry..........I see now that things could be worse. 

  Take care and God bless 

Andrea

So glad to see you back. Christopher!

Hi Christopher,

While your year has brought you such struggles and we feel so much for you, you bring up a very interesting point....the difference between clinical biochemical depression and the kind of depression which comes from life events. It is really important for people who do not suffer from clinical depression to know there is a difference. It would be great if we changed the name of biochemical depression to something else...maybe something medical which would help people to differentiate between the two types of depression. Unfortunately you have had both types of depression in the same year...but the strength you bring here to help others is amazing. There is solace in helping others. Keeping doing whatever it is which helps you and know we are thinking of you. Rusty

I just came in to this site for the first time today and yours is the first post I have read.  I'm sure mine will be one of many to come, but from my heart you have my condolences on the loss of your wife.  It could not have been easy, and I'm sure it is not still in many ways.  That you have taken the time to post and share says a lot to me about this group, and reassures me that I have maybe, after years of looking, come to the right place to start what I hope will be regaining my life.  After the trials you have faced, and still do face, I can not help but take a moment and reflect and remember that all is not lost until we give up completely, and I know for a certainty that I'm not ready to do that yet.  I hope I won't be for a very long time.