I was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety.   My symptoms (must be nearly everyday for at least two weeks) include, but are not limited to the following:

• Sad, blue, "down in the dumps"
• Over-eating
• Insomnia
• Low energy, fatigue, chronic tiredness
• Feel slowed down or restless
• Feelings of inadequency, decreased feelings of self-esteem; increasingly self-critical
• Less efficient or accomplish less at work or school
• Feel less able to cope with the routine responsibilities of everyday life
• Poor concentration and difficulty making even trivial decisions.

My depression stems from things going on in my life-be it past or present.  Growing up, I got picked on, bullied, and intimidated a lot.  I didn't know how to fight back.  I lived in house where father would not allow me to have a say; if I did, I would get yelled at where he would bee in my face telling me to shut-up and quit talking back.  (He is bi-polar and former drug user).  I have been sexually assaulted by my mother's husband as well as being hit by him with a phone, because he got in my face and accused me of something that he said I did, but did not do and he called me a stupid bitch.  My mama didn't really do anything about it.  Matter of fact she is still with him today.  Because of these things, I never really learned how to stand up for myself, because I was afraid of any repercussions.  I am 40 and still having difficulty dealing with people.  I work on call as an event staff worker which is part of security.  I am supposed to be forceful, because it is a security position.  However, I will do all I can to try to work in a spot where I have very little to no public contact.  Depending on which supervisor's board I get on, they will accommodate me.  However, if I get a supervisor who doesn't care, then I'll basically get "thrown anywhere".  That isn't good because if I'm thrown onto a spot or posts where it gets really busy, I'll get really nervous, panicky, and shaky, especially when people start bombarding me with questions.