Why do I feel depressed?

Question

I have had problems in my life, and got through them. And I do have issues with my confidence and looks. However, I have a wonderful partner and a good home life; so why do I still struggle with depression. Have had two counsellors, and they only help in the short term. Been on mild anti-depressants, they seemed to help, but I worried about being on them long term.

Answer 1

I don't think that you have come to terms with your past. You have to forgive what happened to move on. It's hard as it is obviously haunting you, but if you don't move on it will eat you. My moto in life is "I've accepted what happened but I still don't like it". You don't have to like it, you have to accept it and realise that there is nothing you can do to change the past, only the future.

Answer 2

Sorry I havent got the answer for you but I will be interested to see what answers you get. I too suffer the same as you - I have had quite severe depression since having major problems - the final one being that my husband and I were attacked viciously one night and my husband beaten up - a totally random attack where we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have been in quite a high dose of anti depressants and some issues are cured but I still dont go out alone EVER, I feel that people are talking about me or looking at me. I sympathise because there doesnt seem to be much help for this type of thing. Good luck in finding something that will help xxxxxx

Answer 3

please try to ignore the muppets that tell u to 'lighten up' - i have suffered from stress / depression on and off for 5 years now, and i know from experience that u do not choose to be depressed, it is an illness like any other - u need help to get better, you can't just wave a magic wand, like some people seem to think is possible.... u are doing the right thing by taking the medication. it's only a mild dose, and as long as u can see an improvement in your general mood whilst taking them, then i wouldn't worry too much about the long term pros & cons - concentrate on the here & now. if u want to try to lift your mood in a natural way, try to get some regular exercise. i'm not one for exercising just for the fun of it, but since i've been taking a 20 / 30 mins walk each day, i feel a lot better in myself.... it helps boost the chemicals in your brain that u may be low on - seratonin being the main one. i've been through 2 counsellors too, and they didn't tell me anything that i didn't already know..... what i found really helped me feel better in myself was talking in the yahoo chatrooms - i found it better than therapy. you can off load all your woes onto someone who has an objective opinion, and that u don't have to deal wtih face to face. i hope this helps...

Answer 4

medicines like anti-depresors are made by pharmaceutical industry
wich rely on you having to take the medicne for a longer period of time.

my real answer is that if you been through so much, you could get in a state
where your body lacks enough serotonine-production for a healthy state of mind.
If you don't know why you feel depressed, the serotnine story could be it.
In your case besides having a possible serotonine problem,
you probably have enough sources you can point out to the main source of the problem.

Also.
I think you cannot really be happy if youre not happy with yourself.
And you could be lying to yourself and others by saying
you got a wonderful this and that. It's just keeping others satisfied
and be afrraid they will say you are complaining.
When actually the real issue is, are you really happy?
What do you want, what do you miss?

I have issues with my looks too. I lost my entire teenage youth
to diverse problems All my chances that come to you in life with that certain age,
is all gone and no one can turn back the clock or give me back my lost time.
I feel like its just been taken away from me. Wich is alot.
16 years of time for personal development, is lost.
In 16 years time a new child can be born, it learns to walk,
talk, get through school, ride a motorbike, have its first time sex,
be old and wise enoogh to form an opinion.
I lost all that time. All the chances.
In my case I know where it comes from that I'm feeling angry and depressed.

How about you?

Answer 5

Because you are living in a mixed up world!!!

U are human - we love to wallow in self pity !!!

And ur just not contented with ur life and don't appreciate what you have. Or u don't feel appreciated enough - get a hobby, study or if ur not working do some voluntary wrk or go into employment.

R maybe u just haven't gotten over your problems yet.

take some timeout by yourself, maybe plan a trip to your fav spot as a teenage or do something selfish. After that you sit down and have a good luck (write dwn) the things in ur life that u are happy with and what you are not. what you like to change etc. and try and put them in motion.

Basically just try and figure out what is the cause of your depression coz only u & u alone can know what's bothering you
and only u can solve it. doesn't mean u have to do it alone. But I personally believe once u kno the cause u cn go on to finding the cure.

I'm no expert - these are just some suggestions for what I do for when I'm feeling run down and fed up with life.

let me know how u get on & all the best.

Answer 6

Counsellors can only do so much. Support groups (of any kind), but you may like to find one that is focused on Depression, are excellent support for you. You won't feel so lonely when others who share say similar things going on. You can also opt to have a mentor/sponsor (someone who has been down the depressive road longer and survived) whom you can call most anytime (don't abuse the system) when you feel like talking about something.

There are listings in your local paper where they meet. check those out.

Answer 7

It is not your fault you get like this, lots of people do and have no control over it. Perhaps it gets worse in the winter time? (some people suffer from S.A.D)

Have you tried St John's Wort- it a herbal tablet...but if your are on medication or the pill it can stop it from working, so make sure you check it all out before you take it. You can get it from health shops in the UK - try Holland and Barret, they are trained to advise you so ask them any questions you have about it.

Maybe even look into the Bach Flower remedies as well.

Hope that helps

Answer 8

Good things about u have a wonderful parnter and good home life....but, you need to be STRONGER & Thinkin POSITIVE, if u feel down or depression, jus DO something - it'd might helps u get up n head up of your system body from depression. if u r not ilness of anything?? then you won't be on long term, anyway. If gettin a worse one, jus TALKing to a person who's very good listen and supportative you so your depression feelin would be out of system and gone to becoming HAPPY from it. Hope it helps, Take Care & Good Luck.

Answer 9

You are fab! Confidence and looks count for nothing when you dont have a heart and kind personality. You have both!

If anti-depressants help, keep on them for as long as you need to.

You were there for me when I felt broken, I am here for you, along with a lot of others here I would imagine. x

Answer 10

I never talked to councellors or taken antidepressants but I have been depressed half of my life. the problem is in interpreting the situation, how you are seeing your life, and what is the image of your adeal self as oppsed to the current circumstances. It might help you to think of where you stand 'outside of the box', the things that you have that matter.