Am I cursed?

[Amylazy]

I have been depressed for 8 years (although medication is finally helping). I had a sore bum for a year due to an abcess (and it took 4 operations and a year to get rid of). My boyfriend just lost his job. The person we share the house with has also lost his job so might have to move out. I have very few friends. I have no money to go out and be a 21 year old (and my boyfriend keeps telling me i'm really 41). All this and I am starting my third and most important year of uni in a few weeks.

I've been told that positive thinking helps, but after 8 years of disappointment and disasters I'm not so sure. Is there light at the end of the tunnel or am i really doomed?

[missyR]

there is ALWAYS light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe you should do sometihng good. Im not saying you are a bad person but what i mean by this is doing something for charity. Helping OAP's,animals,children,disabled etc. on a weekend. By doing this it will show you that you are indeed a good person and your luck might just change. As for the money side of things, well theres nothing much you can do. Same for your house and boyfriend. You need to concentrate more on your uni. Because if you do you have more choice getting a good job. And if you get a good job then your problems will be helped alot. I wish you luck and i assure you that theres nobody in the world who hasn't once thought they were cursed! xx

[wolf63]

Try talking large doses of Omega 3 EPA - I have been advised to take them by my psychiatrist and they have made a great difference (on top of the usual drugs). I don't feel great, but feel positive.

As ward~minter says you have so much going for you (you are half my age for a start).

Depression is awful, you must be a strong person to have managed to fight for so long. I wish you all the best for your future.

Susan

[filthiestfis]

I totally agree with Ward Minster-the dude got it right. If you are at uni in your final year then it means that you have been succesful at uni so far. You are young so you have plenty of opportunities to change life and finally you have a boyfriend for support.
Im 25 and dont have a girlfriend (and have only ever really had 1) , im jobless, and have no money, but still, there are people worse off than I am, people with poorer health, ya know? Things COULD be worse, babe.

[Amylazy]

Don't get me wrong I know I have a lot of things going for me, but that is the problem with depression. I have been struggling for so long and just don't know what to do anymore. Nothing I try seems to make a difference so if anyone can think of anything I could try.
I've tried things like exercise, change of diet, vitamins, anti-depressants, positive thinking, reflexology and various alternative therapies like aromatherapy (my mum loves that stuff!). Thank for your suggestion wolf63 I will definitely try that.

[fairyprinces]

Depression is awful&so difficult to go through. Although positive thinking&getting a grip sounds like good advice, I know from personal experience its not that easy when you are depressed.

You could try Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (available on NHS, though probably a large waiting list). It focusses on the here&now and looks at ways to change negative thought processes and strategies for coping and overcoming depression. Check out the website below its a really good service, if you become a member they offer many therapies at really reduced prices in loades of different areas of the UK.

www.phobics-society.org

Also a good self-help website I found is

www.clinical-depression.co.uk

I read a book a while ago which described that as depression is such a complex illness, which many symptoms, not one thing will make it better, but employing many different strategies can help, (such as meds, psychological therapy, exercise, holistic therapies etc)

Good luck and dont give up even though it sometimes seems far away, there definately is light at the end of the tunnel xx