Depression Understood Forums

Hi all...my name is Melissa (Mel, if you like), and I happened upon this site as I was looking for support. I've been struggling with depression on and off (mostly on) for more than 20 years (since I was in second grade). I've never sought out professional help, because I never knew what the point was--what could a therapist tell me about myself that I didn't already know? What new things would I reveal in a therapy session that I hadn't already thought about incessantly?

Of course, now I'm wondering if I've been taking the wrong approach. After dealing with depression for so long, it just seems like it's part of who I am. But now it seems that things are starting to fall apart on me--my depression is potentially ruining a relationship with someone I love, who (miraculously) loves me back. My emotions, and my constant ups and downs are too much for him to handle--and I'm not sure how much longer he can hold on. And to be honest, I'm not sure much longer I'll be able to hold on, to not give up on happiness.

Anyway, I'm sure that I'll share more about my story in another thread (because sometimes I love to talk about myself), but for now, it's just hello. And thanks for taking the time to talk to someone new.

Hello and welcome to the family.

Sometimes depression will wrap around us like a fog. It wants to grow so it only allows in those things that feed it. Therapy can help us to see thru that fog and see what reality is. Therapy, medication, good diet, exercise, meditation, these are all tools that are out there to help us. They are the tools we use, but we still do the work. It's difficult at first, but it will get easier. And we will begin to see certain patterns that we never recognized before and learn how to recognize the triggers that exist.

You made a huge step in the right direction coming here. I hope you continue in the battle. And i look forward to hearing from you again.