A little about myself. I have been diagnosed with major depression for 6 years. However a 20/20 look at my past reveals a recurring issue with depression since age 18. I never took medication until I turned 40. I was working full-time, single-parent of a child in law school, working on my own doctoral degree (that I was unable to finish due to the depression). I changed jobs and had an abusive boss (whom was later discharged as a result) and there was a boyfriend who had an addiction disorder who was also briefly involved in my life about the time of my "breakdown". I retired from work (disability retirement - fortunate I was able to do so) and went to bed (literally). My son graduated from law school (I must brag here). I stayed in bed for a while (2 years) and mom passed away unexpectedly. I felt an obligation (co-dependency) to help dad with all the after-death affairs. About a year later I started back to work one day, then two, then three but no more than two in a row. I'm currently working a full-time job but much below much educational level - I am grateful to be working and have great anxiety over know where I came from - could be in my future. I have studied and read about CBT in my educational pursuits and with my psychiatrist and there is not a CBTherapist in my area. I am seeing a therapist. I chose the name goofy because since I was much younger I have always loved the Disney Character Goofy. I love his laugh and think the decorations of him brighten my office. I used to work as a vocational counselor, now I work in an alcohol/drug tx facility but not as a counselor (yet). I will add that I am ACOA, my two husbands were alcoholics. I do not drink except socially and that ended when I started taking the meds for the depression - someone (psychiatrist) said they don't mix well. lol I refer to my time at work as "faking" it, all I want to do when I come home is sleep. That is all I am involved in is work, sleep and family obligations.
