Interesting reading about dep/anx, carb addiction and gluten etc.... lots to digest..my step son has celiac's and is very thin. I thought of trying to eat gluten free but can't live without my carbs (bread mostly). Gluten free bread is so expensive but i guess it is worth it if it helps you keep on track. Depression and axiety are some days under control, some days not so much. I know i am at my highest weight today because in my depressed state the only pleasure or joy i had came from food. How sad is that? All the wonderful blessings I have but what my next meal would consist of is what gave me anticipation and something to look forward to. Please someone tell me you have felt the same thing....

Yes, indeed I have been there. I was talking with a friend who is 5'10" and rail thin and she said she goes through this feeling too. We decided it stems from boredom and lack of engagement (our terrible office job). It really does cause depression.

and KittyCat, chin up! It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. I'm sure you've heard this a million times, but one thing at a time. For what it's worth, this low carb thing really has worked wonders for my psyche. I don't feel so overwhelmed all the time, and I feel in control of things. It's a good feeling.

Do you ladies mind if I get this thread going again? I've been diagnosed with moderate depression and general anxiety disorder, and I've been medicating for both for a couple years. I believe that my anxiety level has plummeted since I've been on meds, but the depression never really seems to go away.

Also, I have a specific phobia for which I had to seek therapy. My doctor suggested that general anxiety can give way to phobias if you let them escalate. That is, if you panic over something once, you're anxiety will be higher the next time you encounter it, and you're more likely to panic again. It's a vicious cycle.

Anyway, if you know that certain things/events trigger panic attacks, I highly recommend looking for a specialist (a therapist, not just a medicator) who can help you focus on overcoming that fear. The University of Texas has a phobia clinic that was able to help me. Of course, the hardest part is looking for help, because in order to overcome your fear you have to face it. That part sucked (a lot), but I feel that dealing with my phobia helped with my overall anxiety.

I don't know if anyone's anxiety here is phobia-related, but if you're having panic attacks it seems very possible that something you fear is triggering them. If that's the case, medications alone probably aren't going to work. I guess I'm just trying to encourage everyone to face their fears (with help) even though I know that's much easier said than done.

Hi everyone...what a blessing to read your posts....to know that i am not alone in this struggle...what is worse, the weight or the depression or the anxiety/panic attacks..i guess it depends what day of the week or what mood i am in...i am so tired of being "abnormal"...trying to pretend i am someone i am not in order to be able to cope in the real world....i found out at my current job that depression is apparently a choice not an illness and i am ostracized for it..it makes me really pissed off...if i had a physical illness there would be compassion and understanding but depression means you are ignored, rebuked, i am so sick of it....i would really, really like to leave now but there is nowhere to go...i am really having a pity party here and a good cry at the moment, just had enough i guess...thanks for listening everyone..