Hello!

My name is Helena, and I'm in depression remission. (Hello, Helena.) I just ran a google search, and I realized that I did not come up with that term. Regardless, that's the state of things. I'm not currently managing my depression. I'm also not cured. In five years, if it's still gone, maybe I'll change the label to cured. For now, I'm a depression survivor. I'm working hard to guarantee that I stay that way.

So, I suppose the first question is: When did my depression start? That's a hard one to answer. I suppose the seeds were planted way back when I was a tiny kiddie. It was always under the surface. Knowing that I was depressed explains so much of my early life. My underlying depression was compounded by a constantly growing social phobia. Yes, like all the cool kids, I grew progressively more terrified of people.

All of my problems exploded in my senior year of high school. I was put on a number of medications (worst thing that ever happened to me). I felt like a poseur. I was every other teenager (being screwed up was something of a fad at that point). Things got a good deal worse, I quit school and refused to leave my house for a number of months. Things cleared up enough for me to start college in the fall. Then everything plummeted to its darkest point. I had alternating diagnoses. One week I was major depressive. The next, I was bipolar. Avoidant. GAD. SAD. I was in-patient. I was out-patient. I was intensive out-patient. The medications piled on, and so did the weight. I was a bit of a chub even before the medication, but not to this impressive scale.

Eventually, I left therapy. I went off all of my medications, cold turkey. Was it a magical cure? No. Certaily not. I was still depressed. But, amazingly, things started to change. Life got a little better each day. And then one day I realized, I'm just not depressed anymore. Actually, that's not completely true. There is probably still a little depression left in me. It would explain the random (couple times a month?) bouts of crying. I'm functional, though. And I smile. I love to smile.

So, from when I started my medications, I gained a miraculous 80 lbs. That's a whole supermodel. Well that supermodel+ has got to go. One day at a time, right?

Hi MsHelena. It's nice to meet you.
I'm another one with depression issues and like you, I am in remission. I haven't felt this good in years and I think it has a lot to do with my diet and weight loss.
I hope to see you around the boards more!

MsHelena, I'm glad you have joined in here.....the people here are so understanding and really help when you are down. You are doing a great job....keep posting. Misty

I have anxiety disorder, and my anxiety causes depression, i guess right now since i'm in a bout of problems, with the mind, i need to focus more on those, then i can focus on the weight....but i'm still trying to eat healthy, and make the best choices i can, but if chocolate or something will help me through the night, i'm gonna eat it.
God Bless you all, i can't wait to be in remission too, i had been for a long time, but i've been suffering for a few months now.

I have a severe anxiety disorder ( panick attacks and generalized anxiety ) I'm on lexapro and xananx (xananx prn) and wellbutrin to counter act the lexapro's side effect's, the tiredness, lack of libido etc. I had anxiety when I first started the wellbutrin, but all subsided and I feel more energic and I can concentrate. My anxiety is low, now but my depression is still there, going down day by day..
I know these meds effect weight, but I also control what I put in my mouth. Good luck and keep posting!