Am I making myself an easy target because of my depression? I'm scared now!!!?
482937
That is an inappropriate boundary to cross with a counselor.  You should find a real in-person counselor.
988741
Not right now but I SOOOO know how you feel. You need to pursue something you're interested in. That's what keeps me from being down, I just make sure I always have something to work towards.
194477
I am sure that they will "be funny" again.  Your personality sticks...the depression might alter it a little but they will spring back to normal.  Support them, be there for them.  If this person you are talking about is you, confide in a friend.  It's okay to cry and be depressed for a while.  It might be almost embarrassing to let that vulnerable side show since you/they were always the "funny and happy" one.  Trust me, you will seem even more real and likable when people see your human and have bad days...even if these days last for awhile.  Also, no one is too good to seek professional advice.  I'm not saying run out there and get put on medication, but you might need an extra boost to get back and going..whether it's just medical advice or whatever.  Good Luck.
1037552
I have a very very mild form, it used to be worse.  I did feel like a burden to my husband when it was bad, now it's a lot better and it's to the point where I can force myself to leave the house when I don't really feel like it.  I am not in any kind of treatment anymore, but when I was, my therapist recommended starting very very slowly, thinking of the things that made me nervous at first, and then trying something that would make me only a tiny bit nervous, and working my way up from there.
258514
YES!\nI always find myself being my own harshest critic. I always find that I doubt myself more than others do me. I always find that I don't believe in myself as much as I should because I sometimes get low self-esteem from the endless parade of problems we ALL get!\nSometimes, I find that having faith in myself works. Being overly pessimistic (but inside being extremely positive) helps because when the results come you literally leap with joy!\nSometimes I find that talking to someone helps. I also find that writing a blog or a diary gets rid of unwanted "burden" feelings just hitching a ride on you and making you feel heavier and heavier into depression.\n\nBut remember, the most important thing is no matter what gets you down, you MUST find the courage to pick yourself up and face the problem head to head. Be strong! Everyone has problems - it's how you deal with your that makes the big difference!\nKnow that no matter how bad a situation you're facing, there is always many people dying to take your place because they don't even have the luxury we have to ponder our problems! :) That's how I keep myself motivated!\n\nJenova\n(d.yuffie@gmail.com)
451121
I agree your situation is totally common, I am a freshman in a community college and it is common to feel like you are alone. Professional help is not a bad choice, I think. But I also think that you need to adjust your focus. School is very important and girls can always wait. I went through this recently, I was totally focused on the guys, I thought that I needed a guy to feel good about myself, but it isn't true. You can't expect anyone to accept who you are until you do!! You are a great person and you have many great qualities, but you can't show anyone that until you believe it yourself:) Think positive the sun will show again tomorrow and you get another chance at your life:)
1145218
Those aren't real friends. Real friends are there for you through thick and thin, and they would never dare make fun of such serious things as you have described. Don't listen to their laughs and teasing. They are either really big jerks or they are just to juvenile to understand the severity of your problems. Meanwhile, I hope you've gotten help for your problems, and if not, I urge you to because you don't have to suffer with depression...it can be treated. Not sure about the other 2 you listed, but I know there are professionals out there who can help you. It's time you made new friends. Real friends who aren't going to ditch you when the going gets tough. Hang in there!
570046
What looks like a mountain of trouble and heartache today, may be just a little bump in the road tomorrow. You must see a Doctor. Do what the doctor tells you. Depression is real, it is dangerous...it is treatable. Believe me, I suffer from it myself. You have to want to survive, believe in the goodness of yourself. Your family loves you. They may not understand you...but then, no one is ever completely understood by their loved ones! Do you understand them?  We are all unique in our own special ways!\nSee, you have come to this site for help...that is a wonderful thing,,,you are reaching out for help...I am so proud of you! Now, go a step further, go to someone else, get a doctor. Tell someone who can get you to real help. You are in a survival mode...be your own best friend! Suicide is not the answer...get help right now...
601518
It is very common for people to feel guilty for asking for help. Many people feel like they are just trying to 'act sick for attention' or whatever.  I believe that you want help and think you need it. You are not acting and not just seeking attention even if that is what part of you might be whispering.  I don't know you, but it sounds like you are having a very awful time right now and I really do believe that you are of great importance to those around you even if that doesn't remotely seem true.  Heck, I happy to even have you here to be typing to you.  Death is just too final.  You are taking antidepressants so perhaps these feelings of suicide are coming from the mood disorder you are suffering from.  It is nothing to be ashamed of! many many people suffer from things like this.  Believe me that it can and will get better! This is just one phase of your life and you have so much more joy to confront as you continue to move through life.  Seek help.  Call up a help hotline, they can be very helpful.\n\nHelp is out there.  I hope i have done a bit to help you. It is not much, but I don't want you to keep the world from having someone as special as you.\n\nAlso, I don't know how old you are, but younger adolescents sometimes react poorly to antidepressants and it can make them suicidal.  Call up your doctor.  Find the number and just call him yourself if you don't think your mom will help.  This may or may not be the case, but something to ask your doctor about.\n\nI will hope and pray that you will come to know how much of a joy you are to the world and that you will get past this and find out that this was a rough patch.... very rough.. but has passed.  It will pass. Find help and believe you can get past this.
75476
Anything is possible. Don't sell yourself short by thinking pessimisticly. Your mentality will evolve as you learn  and develop in life.. Sometimes , some people do need help in this department. If this is the case , don't think less of yourself...just ask and seek for help...Do everything possible to get the help you need. It takes great courage and dedication. Don't worry about what others think. That doesn't matter and shouldn't matter. The important thing here is getting the help you need to be the BEST YOU can BE. I wish you the best!
154324
I once heard that if you think someone doesn't like you, they probably won't, anyway they aren't worth your time and energy.  You sound like a very special and intelligent person which deserves better.  Having one close friend, family member or mentor is as important or even more important than being "popular" or "accepted" in a large group.  Love yourself, you are the last person you need to fear since you know yourself better than anyone else.  Reasearch "mentoring agencies" in your area or "warm lines" to connect with people that will appreciate you for your valuable contributions to our society.  OUR SOCIETY NEEDS YOU a whole lot more than the "cliques" you feel you are being "ostracized" from.  Thank you and keep your chin up, literally, since confidence in yourself is the only acceptence you really need.
745030
No, it's not normal to "like" being depressed. You should seek help. Maybe talk to a parent (if you're close) or a good friend. Change the things in your life that are bothering you. (Easier said then done, I know) But it's worth a shot. Do you want to be this way for the rest of your life? I hope not. Seek help!  : )
922153
"HUG" look after yourself. so many people care about you, even if they dont show it. and if they dont, i care. i became really depressed in the middle of the year.. :( and im a bit depressed now. i didnt get really bad tho.. but u have to be strong. no one can really get u over depression except yourself. be true to yourself in life and there are always ups and downs. i guess... everything happens for a reason..\n\ni hope this helps! be strong and dont listen to those other uncaring sons of bitches that say shoot urself or something ok!\n"hug" good luck!!!! suzie
661291
She sounds very tired, scared and very frustrated. Right now what she probably needs is a FRIEND, someone to lean on. So I would advise for you to go and accidently bump into her. Show to her that you still care and want to help her, but don't look like you pity her or she will become worse. Try and get her to relax, unwind because all.\nI think it would help if you did research on depression.
981091
Yea..unfortunately i know exactly how you feel. I think most people feel this way at one point or another. It's a terribly easy slump to get into, but now that you are fed up with it start making some changes. Start practicing saying no to people sometimes and giving yourself a littlle time for yourself. It's hard to be a good friend or partner to anyone if your all used up. Unfortunately though it's easy to get into a pattern of just saying ok and going with everyone else's flow! Think of things you enjoy doing and set aside some time to do them... it will go a long way in helping you get back some energy and re-centering yourself. Good Luck and lotsa luv!
244200
First... What are you obsessed about? What's making you depressed? Is it material or mental? Are you afraid of failing? Are you shy or confused about what your next move should be? Are you overwhelmed by the pace of life? \n\nWrite down all of your fears and anxieties (even the things you dislike and hate). This will make your thoughts tangible and concrete. After you've created that list. Get advice on how you should TRY to resolve each "problem". Some of those things won't be a big deal at all once you see it written down on paper. Do it step-by-step - one at a time. Don't make a stew out of it - that'll only create a whole lot of WORK you won't wanna do. It'll be too much to handle! \n\nWork on these issues one at time (if they're related - work on two at the most) with a good friend, an Internet Buddy, or whoever and work on them a little at a time. Learn to make sacrifices. Life is full of risk and we are all taking chances everyday whether we're driving, shopping, or sitting at home. Anything can happen or jump-off in a split second. This is reality. You can't let your fears control you or how you live. They have to help you make good decisions and useful choices so that you can grow and succeed and move forward in life. \n\nDon't feel bad for your current situation if it sucks - This is a learning and growing experience. Be angry. Be Motivated! Learn how to change it little by little. It make take a year or so for you get where you want to be but you're gonna have to work at it. Start right now. Make a change in your life. Change yourself. Change the way you think. Change the way you have been doing things. Change your attitude. And MOVE FORWARD.\n\nAnother thing.\n\nIf there are people in you life who are dictating your actions, you have to learn to be more assertive. Speak your mind. Don't be afraid to say what you like and what you don't like. Don't be afraid to make your own POSITIVE choices. And don't be afraid to leave people alone who drag you down. Make some sacrifices. Sacrifices hurt but if you live right (and take some risks), the blessings are much more rewarding.\n\nLove yourself first because if there is no YOU, how can YOU love anyone else? \n\nMake that list and come back.
64893
Just be true to yourself and you'll be fine.  If you ignore your feelings or fight your desire, THAT's when you'll be depressed.  Good luck.