Kera thanks for your words, your perspective is very positive and reassuring. I guess it's important to remember in the grand scheme of things that every step you take to recognize depression and to learn about it is a step in the right direction, and every day (while there are bad days and setbacks) whether you can see it or not, you're a little better off than the day before.

Hi oldblue. You are hard on yourself. Hang in there and remember that just because you suffer from depression doesn't mean that it will rule your life forever (and consequently, everybody's around you - kinda like the commercial, even my dog was sad). Every step in the right direction is a good thing. I feel as you do in that I want to actively DO something to eradicate depression from my life. Knowledge is very helpful. This site has a lot of good information (it's taking a lot of time for all of it to sink in, and I'm working on taking more time to work on my homework). Unfortunatly it appears that depression is a part of me. The more I learn the easier it is to recognize it for what it is which, in turn, is making it easier to overcome. Talking with my therapist helps too. It helps me to start to see things from a different perspective. It also helps to understand that certain situations or events while they aren't to blame, are a factor. I'm starting to understand how my thoughts and emotions started to wander down that dark path. I'm learning to lean on a shoulder when I need to. It's not a weakness to accept help. I wish you the best on your journey to contentment.

old, The Depression Center offers personalized, interactive tools that have helped thousands of people challenge and overcome their depression. If you look to the left of the screen under "PROGRAM TOOLS" you'll find our Depression Test, Session Diary, CBT Buddies and our Depression Program. Why a Depression Test? The purpose of our Depression Test is to prepare you with information that you can present to your physician. When you're finished the test, you can either print your Final Report or email it directly to your doctor. What is a Session Diary? Your Session Diary is your Depression Program "Control Center." Your Session Diary contains all of your tools, worksheets and results as you move through each of the 16 Sessions in the Depression Program. Online Support? CBT Buddies? Our CBT Buddies and Online Support Group allows you to have some anonymous assistance when dealing with depression. The CBT Buddie and Online Support Group is offered on a 24-hour basis and allows you to communicate with others like you around the world. CBT? The core of The Depression Center is our Depression Program which is an interactive, 16-session cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)course. When using cognitive behavioral therapy, each person has unique goals in their treatment. Whatever your motivation, cognitive behavioral therapy is a very effective treatment for depression. You can use the tools whether or not you are taking medication, and whether or not you are currently seeing a therapist or mental health professional. The Depression Program has a number of tools and resources to help each individual overcome their depression and win. We hope you find the help you need within The Depression Center. If you ever have any questions or concerns regarding our site or with depression please click the "CONTACT US" link at the bottom of the page. We're open to any questions or concerns you may have. Josie ___________________________________ The Depression Center Support Team.

Hi, I just signed up for this program. I wasn't going to post at first but after reading the introductions I found everyone to seem so kind and open. It's a big step for me to realize that maybe it's a good thing to reach out to people, and that group support might be a positive thing. I think the hardest hurdles for me are accepting that i have depression and the stigmas i perceive to be attached to it. So I'm hoping for good things to come of this. I'm a 29 year old lady in New York City. I think I've probably had depression since my teens but have only started seeing a therapist for about 6 months (attempted to see others in the past but never went past a couple of visits). My interest in talk therapy is waning. I tried Celexa, and when it kicked in I suddenly realized I felt good and was thrilled that I could begin to manage my emotions. Then after awhile the sexual side effects started making me feel bad, in that this huge part of my relationship was now missing. So I have been on Wellbutrin for a couple of weeks and am getting increasingly frustrated because I feel so so sad and angry all the time again. Rather than sit around and wait for the drugs to kick in, and wait for another hot-air chat session to roll around, I wanted to take matters into my own hands, and came across this site. My biggest fear is relying on medication for the rest of my life to feel functional. And to some extent I think therapy is a scam because of the way it's drawn out over time, and I really dislike the way blame is placed on certain life events or situations. Is that wrong? I just hate that I have to feel this way, especially because I have a pretty nice life, and I can't see any reason to feel this level of sadness and loneliness and worthlessness. I'm so tired of coming home and crying to my boyfriend that I feel like a worthless piece of sh*t, and I'm tired of making him walk on eggshells. I'm tired of feeling so angry and upset that I shake and scream while walking down the street, and I'm tired of trying not to cry at work. I'm optimistic that this structure and the way it will force me to monitor myself will be effective. Just realizing that I have depression has become this huge burden and I feel like it's not fair that I'm suffering in this way. I should