Hi Christina.  Your experience sounds so familiar.  I too have suffered from depression since I was a teenager.  I have two questions to ask you before I offer my advise.  One, how old are you?  Two, are you taking any antidepressants now.  Please write back and I'll tell you how I got help.

Christina, I have all the same problems you do and more so just know that you are not alone. Are you in any counseling? I have been to dozens of therapists,phychiatrists,psychologists,counselors, (etc.) but they all quit after time which made me believe I was too mental for them but now I know I need a therapist or I'll end up dead. Just know there is help out there and I hope you can find some great help a.s.a.p

Good Luck,

Brent

that's what Dr. Abraham Low says.  Christina, Hi...I also struggle with depression.  One of the tools that has helped me is Recovery.  Check out their website - www.recovery-inc.org - to see if there's a mtng. near where you live and info. about the program.  You mention isolating and not functioning...Dr. Low says about that "We don't wait to get well in order to do things, rather we do things in order to get well."  Take Care, Mary 

Hello Christina, my name is Kathleen. I was so sad to read about your depression. I don't know if you are feeling better, or thinking about a treatment plan. I am 53 yrs old, and have been depressed for most of my life, I suspect. My first migraine was at age 12. I was a very serious skeptic about the possibility of getting better, because I didn't know what "better" would feel like. I dreaded going to bed because I knew that upon awakening, I would feel bad all over again. My depression interferred with almost all aspects of life; i.e., children, grandchildren, etc. I envied the person who went through the day motivated, without exaustion. I grew impatient while waiting for one medication after another to work. Well, my doctor finally prescribed Wellbutrin. I don't know exactly when it happened, but after two weeks I realized I wanted to cook for my children, not just put something together quickly for their needs. I felt like cleaning up after cooking, and other various interests. My son asked me why I seemed happier. I went to my room and cried. I had deprived my children of a "normal" mother for so long. I am told it will still take time for the full effects to take place from the medication, but for the first time since I can remember, I have hope. It can be devistating and lonely at times when there is no support or understanding from friends and family. There is no "snapping out of it", or "mind over matter", and I was accused of being lazy and not caring for my children. Nothing could have been further from the truth! The physical symptoms manifested from the emotional "fog" you live in are very real. I pray you feel better, too. Sincerely, Kathleen