Hi to everyone.

[DeLilo-Fan]

Thanks for all your replies. Lot`s of this rings true. I believe some forms of depression are hereditary- my uncle is has attempted suicide a few times and a strain of negativity does seem to run in the family. My partner comes from a very positive, supportive environment-I believe that’s what gives her such a great outlook on life.  I don’t think circumstances always bring on depression. I’m a better `place` (hat to use such a corny term) in my life than when I felt at my lowest, but an improvement in my circumstances hasn’t altogether improved my mood.

As a few people have mentioned, the worst thing people can tell me is things like “Your lucky, so and so is unemployed, kids are starving in Africa etc”. How is that suppose to improve my mood? It just highlights why I’m depressed. We live in such an unfair, unequal world, and that genuinely upsets me. It`s the idea that, sure, your life is fairly crap, but other people are suffering even worse, so enjoy what you do have. My counter argument is, is their not a way we can all try and live a more positive and equal life? Perhaps that`s naive.

[Zaf]

I think the only thing we can do is to try to help others less fortunate than ourselves when we can, we cant solve the world's problems ourselves but perhaps signing petitions, giving aid and getting involved with pressure groups may make a bit of difference somewhere

Z xx

[DeLilo-Fan]

I think they are the practical avenues to go down. I just feel disconnected from the society that I now live in- Joining this forum , and really thinking about how I feel and what I’m typing makes me think that perhaps I need to revisit my GP!

[Zaf]

It certainly wont do any harm to see your GP, I think when we're depressed we tend to focus on the bad things in life and not the positives, individually we can do positive things to help this world and the inhabitants but alone we will never solve all its problems

Z xx

[Sweetpea]

I also think it may be a good idea to have a chat with your gp.  When we feel as we do its very difficult to think of those less fortunate.  Depression is not choosy I have a lovely home, family and still depression hit.  It also runs in our family with both of my siblings suffers too.

S x x

[Ohdaddy]

I'm convinced that it is hereditary as well - my mother has it to a certain extent (she has many of the traits) and my grandmother certainly did in the days when it was not recognized. She left her children and husband and ran away then developed a drink problem. I believe, and I will try to find out one day when I have time and resources, that my grandmother's father killed himself. But those sort of things were not talked about then (before WW2) and it seems to have been covered up by the family.  One of my cousins who shares the grandmother in question also suffers from depression.  So there has to be something in it.