Depression Expert Merely Me shares Depression management news and commentary at MyDepressionConnection.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292 http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292 http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/95720/feel-challenge Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:39:45 -0500 Merely Me Hey all!   I know it is late.  I need to get with the program here and get on the ball.  It is the Friday before Thanksgiving and I am wondering how you all are doing.  What are your plans for the holiday?    The first part of our Friday Feel Good Challenge is to see how you guys are doing this week.   1.  One a scale of one to ten how has your week gone?  One is the worst and ten is the... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/95720/feel-challenge http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/95577/depression-week Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:37:47 -0500 Merely Me   Hello!   It is Thursday so this means it is time for the question of the week... which began by the way....here...on My Depression Connection.  We are trailblazers that way!   Okay...my question this week is how do you deal with personal disapointment?   How do you deal with the fact that life lets you down?  How do you cope when things you count on, people you count on, let you down?  How do... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/95577/depression-week http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/95393/muse-melancholy Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:26:21 -0500 Merely Me   Hey everyone!   I have been deficient lately in getting out a Midweek Muse but this week I do feel Muse-y and so I thought we could explore the many words we use to describe our depression.  One of these terms is such a pretty sounding word, contrary to its meaning.   The theme for today is   Melancholy   What does Melancholy mean exactly?  If you look this word up on the dictionary sites on-line... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/95393/muse-melancholy http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/95264/medication Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:33:19 -0500 Merely Me Hello everyone!   I hope you all are having a decent week.  I don't know about you but I just can't get used to these days getting dark so quickly.  Doesn't it seem like this happens all at once?    Are you guys ready to discuss another antidepressant?  This week we will talk about Cymbalta!   Here are my questions for you:   1.  What was your experience like taking... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/95264/medication http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/95025/relatives Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:22:27 -0500 Merely Me The holidays are coming!  Run for your lives!  What makes one wish to go to a deserted island for the holidays?  Could it be the pressure for perfection, the stress of getting everything done, and how do I put this gently...the relatives.  Thanksgiving is but one holiday where there is extra emphasis upon family harmony and togetherness but what happens when things aren't exactly so darn harmonious?   Getting along... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/95025/relatives http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/94706/feel-challenge Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:11:44 -0500 Merely Me So how are we this week?   Me?  I am up and downy.  I have had great news this week.  Got a call first thing in the morning on Wednesday from my favorite physician assistant at my neurology place to tell me the results of my MRI I had on Tuesday.  I have one done each year for my Multiple Sclerosis to see how my disease is progressing.  Well it is NOT progressing!  No changes this year.  No new brain... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/94706/feel-challenge http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/94634/depression-week Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:38:14 -0500 Merely Me   Howdy!   It's that time again...time for a new question!    Why don't we talk about self esteem today?  Do you feel that depression lowers your self esteem or do you think that people with low self esteem are more prone to depression?  It is the old which came first the chicken or the egg I think.    In what ways does depression diminish your self esteem and what things do you do to remedy... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/94634/depression-week http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/94436/midweek-veteran Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:45:29 -0500 Merely Me   Hello everyone!   It is Veteran's Day here in the U.S. and I wanted to share a few things with you and also share my personal reflections of what this day means to me.   First of all I wanted to share a very special card that My Depression Connection member Paul received from a grand niece and her kindergarten class.  Paul had served in Vietnam and you may read my interview with Paul here.   Here is the... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/94436/midweek-veteran http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/94328/medication Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:19:44 -0500 Merely Me Hi all!   Well it is that time again to review one of the medications.  This time I am choosing one slightly out of the realm of antidepressants...an anti-anxiety med.  Many people who suffer from depression also suffer from anxiety, myself included.  I was given a small prescription for Xanax some months ago to try.  I will tell you my experience and then I would love for anyone who has taken this medication to share... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/94328/medication http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/94095/gain-depression Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:09:56 -0500 Merely Me As the winter months slowly darken the days our hibernation instinct begins to kick in and our thoughts turn to either sleep or food.  That is the way it is for me anyway.  And then you have the various holidays to contend with.  Halloween candy is still in your cupboard, Thanksgiving is coming and of course that is all about food and I don't even want to mention the other food focused holidays in December.  And by the New... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/94095/gain-depression