Introduction

I'm new here, but suffering from depression, so I thought I'd take a chance and join the group.  *fingers crossed*

I'm the middle-aged mother of 3 teenage boys, working as a medical laboratory technician in a nearby hospital.  I'm currently trying to recover from a recent depressive episode sparked by a work-related situation.  Weight loss has been a problem since September of 2007, and I've gone from a healthy 135 pounds to a gaunt 105.  Normal people would be delighted to lose that much weight, but it's had adverse effects on my health so I'm trying to put the brakes on it.  My GP has worked hard to rule out physical causes, so I'm left with a diagnosis of "stress" to explain the weight loss.  It's accurate, of course, and directly related to my work situation.  I love the work I do, and can't think of anything else I'd ever want to do for a living, but I could do without one or two of the people I work with, one supervisor in particular.  That's a very long story, though.

I don't make much in terms of a paycheck, so I'm stuck with the local state-supported mental health services, which means a 15-minute visit with a psychiatrist, usually once every 3 months, but lately has meant once a month due to the consistant anxiety and weight loss.  I cannot afford a therapist.

In the interest of being up-front with the facts, I'll tell you that I'm gay and currently living with my partner, who's disabled.  I support the 5 of us as best I can on my income (my partner gets Social Security Disability and her husband's military pension, but even those two cannot support her alone).  My oldest son just graduated from high school.  He's 19, but has Asperger's Syndrome (high-functioning autism) and is unable to work.  My middle son will graduate next year and wants to go to college, but I've already told him he'll have to rely on scholarships and student loans because I'm barely making ends meet as it is.  My youngest son will graduate in 2010 and also wants to go to college, but he will also have to rely on scholarships and loans.  I've thought of getting a second job, but can barely maintain the job I have thanks to depression and anxiety. 

I guess that's about all for now.  I do want to say that I can relate to the struggles of many here, and I feel for you - especially those of you suffering anxiety.  It's a crippling thing, and I wish you success in dealing with it.

Asheral