I fit into every category this article describes. And frankly my Dear, I don't give a damn. I don't believe in taking medicine; I believe the world has been against me since day one. My stars or whatever are not aligned. Every path leads me to some painful realization that I will only succeed so much.

Imagine everywhere you go, every new hobby or talent you try to develop there are 10,000 people soley devoted to that hobby/talent and make you look like a dumb shit. This goes for chasing women. At all times, a woman has at least several men she can date (not that she really wants to, but the option is there). It's all depressing as Hell, and this was all true long before a bad economy.

Lately #7 is big on my list of problems. I cannot seem to remember simple details anymore, and learning new things is becoming a challenge. My family does have a history of Alzheimers on both sides. That and my uncle is a paranoid hypochondriac.

http://health.yahoo.net/articles/depression/11-warning-signs-depression

I have no witty things to say Xanatos, I'm right on the same page with you man. Some days it feels like life's already beaten me to the punchline, and it's very, very hard to stay upbeat.

I know the feeling, Xanatos. I feel like the world has been operating against me for some time. It's time things starting working for ME, not the other way around.

Alzhemiers runs on my dad's side of the family and hyperthyroidism runs on my mom's side. I think it's pretty safe to say that I'm fucked too.

Looking at that list, I think I've experienced all of them except #11 (can't say I've ever had physical pain accompany my depression).

I love how the article doesn't have any actual SOLUTIONS for depression. Then again, what solution is there other than for society to stop treating me like shit? And don't say drugs (even legal ones)....those attack the symptoms of depression, not the causes.

I think I've exhibited all 11 of those warning signs. I feel tired and lethargic all the time, get headaches and other physical symptoms, feel unenergetic or unmotivated to do even things I loved.

And yes, drugs attack the symptoms of depression, not the cause. I don't know if mine is situational or clinical.

It is unfortunate that you're not willing to explore drug treatment but for depression that is negatively impacting your life there are other routes that might be helpful.

Talk therapy to help address underlying causes for situational depression or results based (think CBT) therapies based on altering your responses to depression might prove helpful.

Speaking with a nutritionist to work out a balanced diet and exercise course might also bring benefit.

Support groups, peer counseling or even reaching out to friends and family for support can also help.

Depression sucks. But recognizing you're depressed and knowing the options open to you, taking action becomes your responsibility. As observers there's little we can offer but sympathy or empathy. While you have mine, ant the sympathy of others, it becomes important for you to make choices and work to develop coping strategies that can improve your daily life.

I've had all of these at one time or another. Not lately, but the way I got through most of my depression is:

-laughing off people like exxie, and those who behave like her.
-do not take any medication if a doctor is pushing it on you after one or two therapy sessions. They are a "drug peddler" not a therapist, or psychaitrist
-Ask them if they have ever heard about LS or Incel. No? Get yourself another counselor
-Routine is helpful. You must summon all that is within you to get up out of bed. Having a sad day is fine. We all get them, but you must not let it overcome your life. It is too valuable. It is worth too much to just sleep, or watch daytime TV, it will only make you feel more sick and deepen the blues.
-In the LS or Incel case. Do not go to clubs in this frame of mind. Don't. You will feel 100x worse than that Smiths song that still resonates so clearly and true today. PLEASE don't make me say the name of the song we all know it.
-When I reached out to family it was a mixed-bag. Some were okay, and supportive, other just gave the usual one-line-advice and expected you to be cured tomorrow.
-If you must stay home, clean the house. Straighten up that closet. Iron your shirts. Do some things at home that just need to get done, or you have been meaning to do. It will take some of the heavier thoughts off your brain for a bit. It will take a few days? Fine. Then it takes a few days. No pressure. Not a race. You have to keep your blood circulating a bit.
-Crying is fine, and perfectly acceptable at HOME. Sometimes you have to be a bit more brave, and find the herculean courage to sometimes stifle it. You're hurt. You're in some serious emotional pain. Pain can be dulled, and pain can stop...but when in public...try the "keeping up appearances" routine. You must do it at times.
-the crash from many illegal drugs will bring you lower. best to stay away from them. You don't do them!? Excellent, you're already a lot better than many other depressed persons.
-Cliche, and cheesey...but hang on to the the scripture "this too shall pass" because it does. What if it doesn't? Keep believing in it. Roll it in your brain a bit. You're not a bad person, or weak because of your deepression. You have hurts that need to heal. Sometimes the healing is slow, and it is personal. Especially in our dehumanizing society and it's stupid norms.
-Depression is like a dream. The kind that almost makes you cry because it is SO real. You try to explain it to others, and they just don't get it. It is impossible to convey the images and tone of a dream to a person because they are not you. Depression is kinda like that. You try to explain to another person "what" is bothering you, and they don't get it. You must find joy in the fact you woke up in the morning if you are depressed. You must. This is a fight, the infamous 'they" out there DOESN'T care about you. People who have been through it DO get it. Find them. Listen to them. Talk to them.

I'm going out on a stereotypical limb here, but exxie is not your typical women (if she even is one). Men are very quick to give advice how to fix a problem. I have lived with women (mostly older and conservative house wives). One thing they kept telling me is that a good husband/partner is able to just listen! Exxie is not listening; she is giving out way too much advice like a man would do.

My posts and my comments are often from the deepest and most profound part of my spirit, and you simply come along with your bulldozer approach to everything. This is why we dislike you. I work with three girls at my job. Do you know what they want most out of a man? A man who can listen to all of their gripes and complaints. They don't want to know how to fix everything. You are not going to get any bonus points for fixing my life or others on here. It's not what I want. I'm here to express myself - and to have like minded people share their thoughts.

My family has said it before...much like the way Ardia said it, "everyone has problems...just deal with them." I know for a fact most of my depression stems from a lack of a full time job. How do you propose I find the money for shrinks, nutrionists, and all that poppycock?

Back to my point, I come here to listen to what others say. I don't go into every thread and think of magnanimous ways to influence everyone. That's not my intent, and I gather (unlike the many who are blantantly non-observant) that most of us are here to simply share. Yes, it is sad. Yes, it could sound suicidal or terrible. That's because it is a terrible affliction; and not something that is easily fixed.

It has layers and layers of issues. But hey, I'm the one being honest here. Let's all hound on Mr. honest and make him regret sharing his personal feelings that I bury under a smile every fucking day of my life. I walk out there proud to have the job I have, and that I am glad I'm not living in Bosnia.

sometimes when I read exxie the ho's advises to guys in here, It almost seems like I am reading some kind of a medical prospectus without any real empathy but lots of words that reek fake sympathy. Like Ethnocide once said, women in here never get themselves immersed deeply in this forum, they are mere observers. As a reflection of that aloof , distant approach they generally get rage from frustrated guys. Anyway who cares what I try to convey.