I have suffered from depression for as long as I can remember and I am now in my *gulp* mid-forties. Depression is an on-going battle for me and especially now as I have been diagnosed with a chronic disease, Multiple Sclerosis. Anyone who has depression knows that you don't endure this in a vacuum. Depression affects every aspect of your life and particularly your relationships. It is particularly difficult, sometimes, for family members and friends to understand what you may be going through. One of the struggles for me with having on-going depression is how to cope with the stressors of being a parent and also having a mood disorder. I have two boys and my youngest son has autism. It has been quite the challenge to find ways to meet my family's needs as well as my own.

One of the ways that I cope with things is to write. I am a newly published writer. I have written the first chapter in a book entitled, Embracing Autism, detailing my experience as both a parent and teacher to my son with autism. I wish to take my passion for writing and healing to share with you here. I will be primarily writing about my personal first hand experiences of how I have coped with depression for more than several decades now.

I have an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Special Education. I am also very close to obtaining my Master's degree in Social Work with only ten credits to go. My hope is to go back to school to finish my degree as well as pursue my writing endeavors. I really want to make a difference and help others who are also dealing with lifelong challenges

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I am your Community Leader for Health Central's Depression site. If you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to let me know.