Anyone with or suffered from depression

Depression. I have depression.

The symptoms vary. You can go from feel moderately okay one minute, and the next second you can plunge into despair.

The symptoms I've experienced are
* Loss of appetite
* Lessened interest in activities
* Uncontrollable crying spells
* Despair (not wanting to wake up in the morning because I'll be going through the same things over and over again..)
* Hopelessness (these feelings won't go away)...
* Desire for self-mutilation

I'm still getting through it. Somedays are harder than others.
I take anti-depressants (Effexor XR). I feel great when I take them, but I occasionally "forget" ... I also pray daily and read God's Word. I talk a lot about how I feel, and get emotional support from others. I also try to keep myself busy with school and friends. I hope this helps! God bless

April

Yep. I've got it. I'll write more later when I have time.

Suffered from depression for many years my symptoms were:
tiredness, lethargy, negative thinking, mild agoraphobia, severe anxiety panic attacks, not coping with family, emotional pain, suidicidal thoughts, hopelessness, insomnia and endless crying.
A few years later self harm, a nervous breakdown, attempted suicide.

I have had many different antidepressants eventually an antidepressant Venlafaxine 3X75mg daily and Lithium a mood stabiliser was the only thing that helped.
I had counselling, various therapies and lost friends. God seemed a million miles away but I did feel his love through other Christians and lots of people prayed for me.

This went on for 13 years of my life I did have some periods of relief but then it would come back again. Depression affects people in different ways mine was very severe and required hospitalisation but however mild or severe it is a dreadful illness and takes time to heal. I have been free of it for about seven months now, I have quite bad arthritis and a chronic pain syndrome which is more bearable than the depression I went through.

Get your friend to get help as soon as possible often it needs drugs and talking therapy.

You are a good friend, I hope he gets the help he needs.

God bless you,
Laura

I've had it since I was in fourth grade...about six years now. I'll have to write more when I feel better tho...so maybe in a couple hours or something for now I gotta go sleep.
In Him,
Ang

Kristi,
Here are some things that can help:
Get to bed on time.
Get up after no more than 8 hours of sleep.
Don't take naps.
Eat more veggies and fruit. Just eat better in general.
Sunshine is nice.
Get some exercise daily. Walk at the very least.
Do something constructive every day. Say, set a goal of emptying the trash. That's about the easiest thing in the world to do. Just simple things cause it feels good to do something useful.
Alter lifestyles which my contribute to the depression.

That's about all I can think to tell him.

mine is hormal and just started a couple of years ago. it is only for a couple of days each month so I know it will pass. i grit my teeth and fight it. i do not take meds.

Not sure which came first, the chicken or the egg. I drank and drugged because I was depressed. I was depressed because I drank and drugged. I understand that I was genetically predisposed to this kind of thing, dad, grandpop, and greatgrandpop all alchoholics. And I was certianly carrying on the family tradition. As it always does, it started slowly. Just a little social partying and then heavy partying then solo partying and before you know it you're at the bottom looking up.  And I hit bottom hard, lost a lot. 

There are those who will tell you to pray and let God take care of it. That certianly can't hurt. I will tell you/your friend, that in addition to prayer, seek counseling. I was on the meds and although they helped me come up to a level keel, it was the counseling which helped me discover the issues I had/have which made me do the things I did. Just as I sobered up and the fog began to lift I finally heard the Lord calling to me.  I allowed the Lord to come into my life and with Him He brought people to change my life. Today, no meds, counseling sessions are done, I'm sober and I LOVE LIFE, wooohooo!!! But I know that I will always pray, if only to thank Him for His Love and Mercy.

I understand the not wanting to be on meds, you obviously have a computer, do some online research about the causes of depression.  Specifically how brain chemistry comes into play.  Then you will better understand what the meds actually do.  The reality is we are all different, what worked for me may not work for your friend.  The meds may be temporary, they may be for life.  There should never, ever, ever be any shame in taking medication.  I wish you and your friend luck and peace in Christ.

Okay, I have a little bit of time to reply now...lol. Anyway, I have been dealing with depression since I was in fourth grade...on and off. In eigth grade it got really bad and I started experimenting with anorexia and binge eating. I also started cutting my wrists. I cried all the time and the cutting became worse and worse. Finally I broke down and told my dad and I got into counseling. I was diagnosed with clincal depression and put on Paxil. I continued in couneling from Jan. thru April, then quit and stopped taking my meds. Well I got worse again and started cutting this time worse. So from then on I would go to counseling periodically then stop. I was on Zoloft for a while then they switched me to Prozac. Well, I got better and thought it was over. December 16, 2001 I gave my life to Christ and things got better. This summer was the best one of my life. Well, that didn't last long. Around October of 2002 I got overwhelmed with school work and my panic attacks started coming back. Then I started cutting then not eating at all. My parents then started seeking better help once I refused to go back to my counselor. They got me into a behavioral therapist and I was diagnosed (kinda) with bipolar disorder. I had been misdiagnosed and on the wrong meds for almost two years. So I am not on Lexapro and occasionally Klonapin. The panic attacks have subsided and the depression is getting a little better. I've been thru hell and back within the last couple months. They threatened to put me in a hospital so I haven't cut since then. Depression is horrible...it deteriorates you mentally and physically. It's so horrible b/c people then have trouble dealing with you and relationships are strained. I've been through some awful pain lately and I've been mad at God a lot. But it's true when they say He won't give you more than you can bear...b/c just when I think I'm about to collapse, He lifts me up. (I think He likes to push the limits sometimes...lol) Anyway, I strongly recommend counseling (talk therapy) and possibly medication. Make sure your friend researches all possiblities and knows his stuff about depression b/c that helps. And medication is a good thing...I know lots thing it isn't, but God created doctors and medicines to help us. I will be praying for you and your friend. Too be honest I woulnd't change at thing I've been thru...and to most that sounds stupid. But I know that God is going to use my illness to help other people not have to go thru the same thing and to help me bring others to know Him. So I praise Him for it at the same time I ask Him for healing...which He is slowly doing. I will pray for you both. Good luck and God bless!
In Him,
Ang