Thanks for writing this.  I already know what you've said, but your tone is matter-of-fact without being pushy, and the rays of empathy show through.  So maybe I will actually follow some of your advice!

Deborah Gray

6/ 8/09 2:13pm

Trust me, I'm right there with you. I'm not really good at taking care of myself, but I've learned over the last couple of decades, gradually, how much it can help my depression.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a set of things you could do that would guarantee that depression would not return?  But just as it seems I find "the answer" then the question changes.  Like, "Why does the Saphris work most of the time but not at all some days?"  Or, "How can I continue to get strenuous exercise when I have gained so much weight from meds that it literally causes excruciating joint pain?"  I take vitamin and mineral supplements, but they seem to help not at all.  And therapy?  It is hard to afford when you're on SSDI, but you are on SSDI to avoid the mental health-threatening stress.  I'm not saying there are always negatives to every positive...maybe I am just depressed today.  It just seem like depression recurs no matter what I try.  I want to get rid of it permanently!  (Do I hear hurrah's in the background?)