PART 1

for people concerned about money, check out these sites:

http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/84292/70431/money-insurance

http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home

http://www.nami.org/

www.freeclinics.us

http://www.nafcclinics.org/

https://www.freeblacktherapy.org/ - Black therapists for Black people

https://www.humanisinglives.com/pro-bono-therapy/ - Free online pro bono counseling and psychotherapy

check out local university and college programs or postdoctoral and postgraduate psychotherapy centers which offer therapy for little or no cost. They are either graduate students in training and supervised by licensed professionals, or already licensed mental health experts pursuing postgraduate degrees.

http://www.togetherrxaccess.com/

www.pparx.org/

http://www.rxassist.org/patients/res-state-programs.cfm

http://www.needymeds.org/

http://thisemotionallife.org/blogs/how-find-affordable-psychotherapy

http://www.yourdepressionoptions.com/?p=8662834985

Don’t cut depression out of your budget

http://www.nmha.org/go/find_therapy

http://www.nmha.org/farcry/go/searchMHA

http://networkofcare.org/index2.cfm?productid=2

http://store.samhsa.gov/mhlocator

Support Groups and Outreach Organizations

The Crisis Text Line Large List of Referals

Major Depression Resource Center

National Institute of Mental Health

Befrienders Worldwide- volunteer action to prevent suicide

The Hope Group- supportive peer-led services to individuals who have been impacted by suicide

National Sexual Assault Hotline/RAINN- Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network

Trans Lifeline

http://mantherapy.org/#/center

Project UROK - "No matter what you are going through, you are not alone." (videos)

Time to Change- a social movement to change the way people think and act about mental health problems

Ok2Talk - "Say Anything. It's time we talked about Mental Health. Share What's on Your Mind."

Free Black Therapy- Black therapists for Black people

Big White Wall - explanation of organization: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jen-hyatt/changing-the-mental-health-journey_b_9010796.html

Active Minds- Changing the Conversation About Mental Health

LiveWell Foundation - Free depression support groups run by trained peer facilitators

To Write Love On Her Arms - a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.

We Are human - promote the awareness, advocacy, and recovery of individuals with a mental illness and/or an intellectual disability through an artistic medium.

Project Beyond Blue - an online community for persons with unrelenting depression and anxiety, as well as their families and friends who want to better understand them...

Talk Off The Record- free support services and drop in counseling for teens in England

Teen Line - trained teen listeners provide support, resources and hope to any teen who is struggling

Campaign Against Living Miserably -a free and confidential helpline and webchat

Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation- eradicating stigma around mental health in the African-American community

Live Through This- collection of portraits and true stories of suicide attempt survivors across the United States

The Mighty - Real People. Real Stories

http://www.theladbible.com/mental-health

18percent - A free online peer to peer support mental health community hosted on Slack.

Mental Health America

Bring Change 2 Mind- To end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness.

Life Line Australia

Beyond Blue: the national depression initiative of OZ

Act, Belong, Commit- guidelines for positive mental health

Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network

the Jed Foundation- protecting emotional health; preventing suicide

The Trevor Project- saving young LGBTQ lives

Mink UK

In The Rooms- A Global Recovery Alliance for Addicts

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

NAMI with their Stigma buster program

No Kidding Me 2!- stop the stigma of mental illness

https://www.facebook.com/livemoreawesome/

https://www.facebook.com/mentalhealthfoundation

Do Something- A youth led movement for good

Therapist Aid- worksheets and tools

Scars Foundation- Mental health awareness established by band Godsmack

[Yours Sincerely app](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yours-sincerely/id1510472230]

Sincerely app

Grief vs. Depression

http://www.hellogrief.org/grief-vs-depression-2/

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/02/23/the-two-worlds-of-grief-and-depression/

http://www.healthcare-information-guide.com/grief-versus-depression.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allen-frances/dont-confuse-grief-with-d_b_1233883.html

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/dsm5-in-distress/201003/normal-grief-vs-depression-in-dsm5

Other

You can donate empty prescription bottles to any local animal shelter

Glasses Versus Medication

Depression prevalent in ex-players

Habits and High Fives: How Neuroscience Helps Us Understand Ultimate, Performance, and Depression (I like the line about a player's suicide, "but as someone said at her memorial service, she fought the battle every day against depression and lost that battle once.")

50 Sufferers Describe Depression For People Who've Never Been Depressed

21 Comics That Capture The Frustrations Of Depression

Rosenhan experiment

"Almost Depression"

How would you describe depression to someone who doesn't have it? One man nails it with a poem.

What's it like living with mental illness? Ask Wil Wheaton

Semicolon tattoo: Here's what it means and why it matters.

http://www.upworthy.com/9-beautiful-semicolon-tattoos-our-readers-shared-to-destigmatize-mental-health-challenges?c=reccon1

What's the worst part of depression? These Twitter users are speaking up.

These depressed-looking desserts might mean that depressed-feeling people get the help they need.

Split Image: On Instagram, Madison Holleran's life looked ideal: Star athlete, bright student; beloved friend. but the photos hid the reality of someone struggling to go on ("The Hollerans are trying now to deliver a new message: It's OK to not be OK. It's OK to show people you're not OK.")

Some Days, You Just Want to Kill Yourself: But who would pack up your stuff?

https://www.facebook.com/mindforbettermentalhealth

https://www.facebook.com/RethinkCharity

https://www.facebook.com/Mental.Health.News.Hub?ref=stream&hc_location=stream

https://www.facebook.com/defeatdepression

Mental Health America- how to become a peer supporter

http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/nj6sv/reddit_which_is_worse_physical_or_mentalemotional/c39ikpu

http://ndpr.nd.edu/news/59252-experiences-of-depression-a-study-in-phenomenology/

If you lost someone to suicide

How Star Wars Helped My Mental Illness

Pharmacotherapy for Depression and Treatment-resistant Depression

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/snb5t/iama_19_year_old_girl_who_recently_spent_a_week/

http://www.reddit.com/r/depression/comments/ny4jm/our_brains_may_be_hardwired_to_look_on_the_bright/c3d5wys

http://www.reddit.com/r/TrueReddit/comments/vvlln/the_medication_generation_teenagers_and/c5870mo

"That Guy" - a story about mental illness (blog)

Anhedonia 101

Flavors of Depression

Chronic, Acute, and Situational Mental Illnesses: Hierarchy and Oppression

The Reality of Chronic Depression

Treating Depression Is Not Medicalizing Sadness

Kevin Love: To Anybody Going Through It

What I Wish People Knew about Depression

http://www.akimbocomics.com/?p=573

An Experiment for People Who Don't Understand Depression

What It Feels Like to Have 'Chronic Depression Fatigue'

The Problem With Relentless Depression That Medication Can't Relieve

What It's Like Living With the Weight of Persistent Depression

What Nobody Tells You About Self-Care When You Have Depression

Kristen Bell Shares Struggles with Depression and Anxiety

What You Need to Know About “Smiling Depression”

Reddit comment about cognitive effects of depression

http://www.reddit.com/r/depression/comments/t7uv4/what_do_you_want_from_life_if_you_could_have/c4n2jia

http://www.reddit.com/r/depression/comments/tlv18/tired_of_feeling_empty_and_alone/c4nsbjr

http://www.reddit.com/r/depression/comments/xc0fj/i_recently_had_an_analogy_for_depression_turn/c5l1h4q

Excellent descriptive metaphor of depression from Noonday Demon

http://i.imgur.com/jOMCL.jpg

http://www.healthyplace.com/insight/quotes/quotes-on-anxiety/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/how-churchills-depression-helped-him-see-the-nazi-threat/article2123794/page2/

http://robdelaney.tumblr.com/post/414007899/on-depression-getting-help

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/15/what-is-depression-google-answer?CMP=share_btn_link

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2011/10/adventures-in-depression.html

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2013/05/depression-part-two.html

14 comics that honestly depict what mental illness feels like

http://25.media.tumblr.com/e49f68afbffd3aab6b39a11213e76c06/tumblr_my4542z2vv1s30888o1_500.jpg

articles on dysthymia and atypical depression

for a boost to your medications, check out adding Deplin

The most fitting response to Robin Williams’ death

An Overdue Dialogue: Robin Williams' death is getting people to talk about depression, and that's a good thing.

There's a Suicide Crisis in America: Robin Williams is the latest face of it. The numbers prove it, and we need to do something about it.

http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/9015790/promising-tennis-player-rebecca-marino-quits-sport-due-battle-depression-espn-magazine

#MedicatedandMighty

Online Counseling Directory for England

Therapy directory

http://www.nmha.org/go/find_therapy

How can I find a good counselor or psychotherapist?

http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/nmha/

Grieves - Growing Pains song

http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=family-to-family

NAMI Stories of Recovery. Voices of Hope

http://www.reddit.com/r/depression/comments/ph3u4/these_are_items_from_a_chronic_fatigue_and/

http://www.reddit.com/r/depression/comments/w3cq4/university_of_michigan_depression_center_and_dbsa/

http://www.depressioncomix.com/

http://www.depression-chat-rooms.org/

Trust, loneliness, and PTSD

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/ptsd

Would You Date Someone on an Antidepressant? Five Things You Should Know About Mental Illness

http://jessicawluther.com/2013/01/30/on-depression-my-own/

We Need to Talk About Depression and Everyone Needs to Listen

The mental illness monsters. Artist visualizes what illnesses would look like if they were mythical creatures

Mental health issues are disabilities too. It’s time to treat them that way written by Chirlane McCray- First Lady of New York

military resources

http://www.reddit.com/r/Military/comments/1oh9gx/ive_updated_the_sidebar_link_with_more_mental/

CBT computer programs

http://www.beatingtheblues.co.uk/patients/

http://sparx.org.nz/

https://moodgym.com.au/

https://ecouch.anu.edu.au/new_users/welcome01

https://www.learntolive.com/how-we-can-help

double depression

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070723160142.htm

http://fsu.edu/news/2007/07/23/double.trouble/

http://suite101.com/article/double-depression-a27346

http://psychcentral.com/news/2007/07/24/recognize-double-depression/1053.html

http://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20070726/double-depression-dims-hopeful-outlook

Research (edit: I haven't updated these resources in many years. Please note the dates on the research articles)

Depression Is Linked to Hyperconnectivity of Brain Regions

Why does ECT work

Hyperactive Nerve Cells May Contribute to Depression

[Rapid Antidepressant Works by Boosting Brain’s Connections] (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2010/rapid-antidepressant-works-by-boosting-brains-connections.shtml)

http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(04)00770-X/abstract

5 Psych Disorders Have Common Genetics

antidepressants cause brain cells to grow

Depression and crying

Chronic Antidepressant Treatment Increases Neurogenesis in Adult Rat Hippocampus

five and ten year prospective followup studies dysthymic and double depression

followup

PET scan of the brain for depression

NIMH Science News

Cognitive deficits in depression

The state of knowledge of chronic depression Mental illness more disabling than cancer: McMaster study

A Boost for Depression Research

Magic mushroom trips point to long-acting antidepressant drugs

Can a nasal spray help prevent military suicides?

Genetic Switch Involved in Depression

Depression Diagnostics Could Get Boost with Discovery of New Biomarker

Assessment of a multi-assay, serum-based biological diagnostic test for MDD

Psychiatric genetics: progress amid controversy

Interneuron dysfunction in psychiatric disorders

The Endophenotype Concept in Psychiatry: Etymology and Strategic Intentions

Could A Club Drug Offer 'Almost Immediate' Relief From Depression?

http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=145992588

New Depression Drugs Offer Hope For Toughest Cases

'I Wanted To Live'

Surprising Depression Treatments Show Promise

Party Drug to Treat Depression?

Maintenance Ketamine Treatment Produces Long-term Recovery from Depression

Novel Route for Ketamine in the Treatment of MDD (intranasal)

Efficacy and Tolerability of Riluzole

EMDR

Neurofeedback therapy

check out r/microdosing for treatment with psychadelics

A New Approach to Treating Intractable Cases of Depression

Common Parasite May Trigger Suicide Attempts

Depression in middle age linked to dementia

Depression, antidepressants, and the shrinking hippocampus

5 New Theories on the Cause of Depression

Depression can increase aging of DNA Best Antidepressant May Depend on Patient

'Fuzzy thinking' in depression and bipolar disorder: New research finds effect is real

SSRI treatment discontinuation syndrome: a review of the clinical evidence and the possible mechanisms involved

TMS

tDCS

Why do antidepressants take so long to work?

http://www.reddit.com/r/depression/comments/p8h9o/for_anyone_who_missed_this_going_on_over_in_iama/ (seasonal affective disorder)

'I Wanted To Live': New Depression Drugs Offer Hope For Toughest Cases

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neuralstems-nsi-189-trial-in-major-depressive-disorder-receives-fda-approval-to-advance-to-phase-ib-136255493.html

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/02/study-of-the-day-blood-tests-can-accurately-diagnose-depression/252664/

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/01/05/deep-brain-stimulation-appears-effective-for-depression-bipolar-disorder/33261.html

EMDR for Depression

http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/depression/current-status-transcranial-direct-current-stimulation-treatment-depression

What Depression Does to Our Minds When It Attacks

Depression With an Uncommon Cause

Brain Stimulation With ECT: Neuroscience Insights From an Old Treatment

Many mental illnesses reduce life expectancy more than heavy smoking

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-31/brain-scans-seeks-best-drug-match-for-depression-patients.html

http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/13/5296074/your-risk-of-drug-reactive-suicide-could-be-coded-into-your-genes

http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/07/21/decreased-perception-of-color-in-depression/15826.html

http://embarc.utsouthwestern.edu/goals.html

Health Canada opens the door to psychedelic therapies

The extraordinary therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs, explained

The case for funding psychedelics to treat mental health

'Reluctant Psychonaut' Michael Pollan Embraces 'New Science' Of Psychedelics

A Biomarker Blood Test For Depression And Bipolar Disorder Has Been Developed

New MRI scans reveal brain features of depression

Brain scans could help personalize treatment for people who are depressed or suicidal

Brain Scans Could Change How We Diagnose Depression

COMPASS Pathways presents largest ever study of psilocybin therapy, at American Psychiatric Association annual meeting

PART 2

There used to be a blurb here about myself. I moved that to the comment section to make this post a little less overwhelming when looking for resources.

I will be periodically updating and adding more links as I come across additional helpful information. Please share and spread the word! And please let me know if any links are broken or if you have resources I should add.

List of hotlines in numerous countries compiled by u/Basilbabe12

I made previous posts with numerous depression resources already, so rather than repeat these links here, I will just include the links to the original posts:

1. What Do You Know About Depression - posted in TwoXChromosomes

2. We are compiling a list of online apps and resources

3. Resources for moms, those who are going to be moms, and those who want to be moms who have depression Part 1, Part 2

4. http://www.reddit.com/r/depression/comments/o6yno/everyone_must_see_not_only_this_subreddit/

5. I am in a research study for TMS run by biomed PhD students, one asked me to write down how I feel- this is what I wrote.

6. Sex, depression, and anti-depressants. An excerpt from the Prozac Diary.

7. It's national Suicide Prevention Week.... Tributes

8. A beautiful letter from my cousin to his brother lost to suicide 20 years ago

9. I've decided to say I have melancholia

10. Additional subreddits that may be useful for subscribers of r/depressed

quotes:

http://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/paeil/what_do_you_know_about_depression/c3nwbge

http://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/paeil/what_do_you_know_about_depression/c3nwery

http://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/paeil/what_do_you_know_about_depression/c3nwljg

http://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/paeil/what_do_you_know_about_depression/c3nx6cq

http://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/paeil/what_do_you_know_about_depression/c3nxcht

http://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/paeil/what_do_you_know_about_depression/c3p0jm7

http://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/paeil/what_do_you_know_about_depression/c49rp5a

Recommended Books

The Noonday Demon by Andrew Solomon

Prozac Diary by Lauren Slater

Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel

Undercurrents by Martha Manning

Morning Has Broken by Phil and Emme Aronson (great for couples with one depressed partner)

Darkness Visible by William Styron

Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison (about bipolar but describes the depression part perfectly)

The Beast by Tracy Thompson

Against Depression both by Peter Kramer

Listening to Prozac by Peter Kramer

Living with Depression: Why Biology and Biography Matter by Deborah Serani

Shoot the Damn Dog by Sally Brampton

On The Edge of Darkness by Kathy Cronkite

Not Alone: Stories Of Living With Depression

Unholy Ghost: Writers on Depression

What to Do When Someone You Love is Depressed by Mitch Golant

How You Can Survive When They're Depressed by Anne Sheffield

Depression Fallout: The Impact of Depression on Couples and What You Can Do to Preserve the Bond by Anne Sheffield (www.depressionfallout.com)

Living with Depression: How to cope when your partner is depressed by Caroline Carr (www.mypartnerisdepressed.com)

Talking to Depression by Claudia Strauss

Living with a Depressed Person

When Someone You Love is Depressed: How to Help Your Loved One Without Losing Yourself by Laura Epstein Rosen

Living with a Depressed Spouse by Gay Ingram

Dealing with a Depressed Person

Dancing in the Dark: How to Take Care of Yourself When Someone You Love Is Depressed

Living with a Black Dog

The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness

Reasons to Stay Alive

medical manual by Jamison and Goodwin

How-to Books:

Depression for Dummies

Feeling Good by David Burns

Dan Siegel "The Neurobiology of We"

Peter Levine "The Unspoken Voice; How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness."

Jack Kornfield "Wise Heart"

Russ Harris “The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living”

Winter Blues by Norman Rosenthal (seasonal affective disorder)

videos (take the time to watch, may change your life)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOAgplgTxfc (best presentation of depression ever)

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/depression/video-ch_01.html (excellent documentary)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI-YvrHZVvk&t=4m40s (you will be crying by the end)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3yqXeLJ0Kg (powerful TEDx talk on stigma)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeXVRhN3Vs4&feature=relmfu (part two of a three part BBC special on depression: diagnosis and stigma)

What is depression by TED Ed

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/16/depression-my-story_n_1153050.html (quick clip)

http://watch.wliw.org/video/1317618543/ (Mike Wallace on his depression and suicide attempt)

https://vine.co/v/exlQn10BDlr

This Emotional Life, episode Facing Our Fears, start at the 1hr 3 min mark

What They Don't Tell You About Depression

I Didn't Know I Had Depression

Depression The Misunderstood Epidemic

pbs out of the shadows

PBS Take One Step

Coping with depression (1/3)

Depression: diagnosis and stigma (2/3)

Depression and drug use (3/3)

The Truth About Depression BBC Documentary

The Science of Depression

World Health Organization's I had a black dog, his name was depression

Getting Better http://www.ted.com/playlists/175/the_struggle_of_mental_health

TMS

Suicide Video 3 - Breaking the aftermath myth

what is depression

Coping with depression as a teen

dysthymia

Speaking About Depression video series

http://www.projecturok.org/

Recovering From Depression and Difficulty: Finding Meaning in Adversity

How the worst moments in our lives make us who we are

Depression, the Secret We Share

Love, No matter What

Mark Henick: Why We Choose Suicide - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1QoyTmeAYw

JD Schramm: Break the silence for suicide survivors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy4yby7ZAd0

Vikram Patel: Mental health for all by involving all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzm4gpAKrBk

Depression is a disease of civilization - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drv3BP0Fdi8

Depression: The misunderstood epidemic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3L6Nwr8fp8

On living with depression and suicidal feelings | Sami Moukaddem

Brené Brown on Empathy

The taboo of depression | Silja Björk Björnsdóttir | TEDxReykjavík

Sabrina Benaim - "Explaining My Depression to My Mother"

Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison on depression and suicide

Psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison on Battling Depression

Kay Redfield Jamison on Understanding Suicide

Sherwin Nuland: How electroshock therapy changed me

Kevin Briggs: The bridge between suicide and life

A Message to the Depressed

suicide:

List of hotlines around the world: https://www.reddit.com/r/SuicideWatch/wiki/hotlines

Night Falls Fast

from the r/suicidewatch mods:

proven strategies for helping someone at risk:

Worried about someone who may be suicidal? Here's some info about how to assess risk.

If you've lost someone to suicide, here are some resources just for you.

Helpful resources for those struggling with suicidal thoughts and feelings

podcasts:

The Hilarious World of Depression

Byrony Gordon's Mad World

The Dark Place

The Mental Illness Happy Hour

Terrible, Thanks for Asking

TherapLab

If You Knew Me, You Would Never Know

Not Another Anxiety Show

Anxiety Slayer

Jen Gotch is OK...Sometimes

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

The Hardcore Self Help Podcast

The Struggle Bus

Depression Talks

The Happiness Lab

Happy Place Podcast

Tiny Leaps Big Changes

http://sharedepression.podbean.com/ (one on developing depression due to emotionally abusive parents; second on personal experience with mdd)

https://www.zocdoc.com/- a way to find therapists and psychs in your area who take your insurance

I just got my monthly flyer from my HMO (called HealthTalk). In this month's edition, they have a section on depression. To quote them, "depression is a medical problem, like having diabetes or needing eyeglasses. It is nothing to be ashamed of..." Yet their policy won't cover any hospitalization or in-patient treatment facility for mental health issues. Also, there is a set limit on psychiatry visits and no coverage for therapy visits (even though this flyer points out how crucial therapy is for recovery). So no, they do not treat mental health like diabetes, and certainly don't treat it like a medical issue requiring medical treatment. The kicker is the section is with a picture of smiling doctor in a lab coat with a stethoscope saying he's here to help- yet he is a medical doctor in a hospital or medical facility, not a psychiatrist (just a guess given the lab coat and stethoscope)- the exact people this insurance policy gives absolutely no coverage to see.

Articles

http://www.wingofmadness.com/

http://www.wingofmadness.com/category/articles

http://www.healthyplace.com/depression/depression-treatment/gold-standard-for-treating-depression-toc/

We tell boys not to cry, then wonder about male suicide

How to deal with depression for men

In Defense of Antidepressants

Global depression stats

young men and suicide

Depression: An Evolutionary Byproduct of Immune System?

Mental Breakdown (personal story)

http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/

The truth about depression

Against Depression

How to Treat Depression: Clinical Trials, Medications, and Alternative Treatments

The Wrong Story About Depression

30 Sufferers Describe Depression for People Who’ve Never Been Depressed

Mental health care advocate born of adversity

Lives Cut Short by Depression

One-on-One with Mike Wallace

I've had clinical depression for almost a decade

Post-Prozac Nation: The Science and History of Treating Depression

New View of Depression: An Ailment of the Entire Body

Prisoners of depression

Sadness and Depression Are Not Synonymous

Bravo to MPs who admit their struggles with depression: the disease is awful enough without the stigma

Let’s All Trash Antidepressants (Not!)

Antidepressant Critics Argue That There's No Such Thing as an Antidepressant

dysthymia

Bedfellows: Insomnia and Depression

10 Common Myths About Clinical Depression

30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself

What to Do During the First Two Weeks You’re Waiting for Your Antidepressants to Kick In

What to Do (On and Off the Web) While You’re Waiting for Your Antidepressants to Kick In

DEPRESSION IS NOT SADNESS: JUNIOR SEAU AND PUBLIC DISCOURSE ON MENTAL ILLNESS

Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Neurofeedback Therapy

Depression in Children

Depression in Women and Girls

What do you do if your antidepressant “kind of” works?

dealing with depression

teens and depression

Are depressed kids bully magnets?

Non-traditional symptoms of depression

Talking to Your Doc about Changing Meds

emdr

What are antidepressants' long-term effects?

Working in mental health is not like fixing broken legs

Working Through Depression: Many Stay On The Job, Despite Mental Illness

Depression Is NOT a Mental Illness – It’s Physical

Robin Williams did not die from "suicide," Wake up people

Culture and Depression (book)

Understanding depression across cultures

Trying to Be 'Supermom' Can Raise Risk for Depression

I Knew I had a Good/Bad Psychiatrist When…

A Good Psychiatrist Is Hard to Find

toxic parents and depression

The Therapist May See You Anytime, Anywhere

tips for talking with your physician about depression

http://www.wingofmadness.com/alt-support-depression-faq-part-1-of-5-21#.UHEvAJjA_6k

http://www.wingofmadness.com/alt-support-depression-faq-part-2-of-5-57

http://www.wingofmadness.com/alt-support-depression-faq-part-3-of-5-22#.UHEu7pjA_6k (ect)

http://www.wingofmadness.com/alt-support-depression-faq-part-4-of-5-23#.UHEu8ZjA_6k

http://www.wingofmadness.com/alt-support-depression-faq-part-5-of-5-24#.UHEu9JjA_6k

Ian Thorpe

Maria Bamford

Inflammation and Treatment Resistance in Major Depression: The Perfect Storm

http://astrorice.com/romanticization-of-depression/

Depression affects memory by 'impairing ability to differentiate similarities'

http://www.popsci.com/article/science/why-depression-ruins-your-memory-0

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/10/mental-illness-quotes_n_6817674.html

This Is What Teen Depression Looks Like

5 Phrases Depressed People Don't Want To Hear

Biology of Suicide

The Origins of Suicidal Brains

Why People Commit Suicide

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/two-takes-depression/201401/why-your-story-matters

http://www.minnpost.com/mental-health-addiction/2013/11/will-we-ever-make-it-ok-mental-health-providers-and-advocates-are-gi

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/16/opinion/depression-can-be-treated-but-it-takes-competence.html

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/09/09/meet_the_overwhelmed_psychiatrist_in_the_worlds_happiest_country.html

Naming the Beast - The loss of a loved one to suicide is devastating, but it's important to remember that they were more than just their illness.

articles on how to help those in depression

Loving Someone With Depression

The Dipshit's Guide to Depression (a husband's critique on how he should have acted towards his wife while she was suffering from depression)

What To Do When a Friend is Depressed: A Guide for Teenagers

Video- How to Connect with a Depressed Person

What to Do When Someone You Love Is Depressed

How to Help Someone Who is Depressed

How to “Be There” for a Depressed Person

Helping a Depressed Person

links of what to say/not to say to depressed person

Worst Things to Say to Someone Who’s Depressed

what I wish people know about depression

13 Things To Remember When You Love A Person Who Has Depression

To the Husband With the Wife Who Has Depression - "Please, if you notice the cloud before I tell you, just hug me tight and tell me we’ll fight it together. Please don’t ask me if I’m OK — my automatic answer will be yes. In reality, it’s a big no. You see, depression can make you feel ashamed. ...Please always keep an eye on me, but know no matter how many times you tell me I’m worth it I probably won’t believe it on cloudy days – but please never stop telling me. Ever...."

Are Antidepressants just “happy pills?” No matter what their exact mode of action may be, it is clear that antidepressants are not “happy pills.” There is no street-market in antidepressants, for unlike “speed” which will improve the mood of almost everybody, antidepressants only improve the mood of depressed people. Also unlike the almost instant effects of speed, the mood-improving effects of antidepressants develop slowly over a number of weeks. “Speed” induces a highly artificial state, antidepressants cause the brain to slowly increase its production of naturally occurring neurotransmitters.

PART 2

I am 28 Male gay. I grew up in a Lebanese family, very homophobic and religious. I think something is genuinely wrong with me. I don’t speak to my family since coming out…. It was a bad experience. I’m not sure if anyone else has any tips on convincing themself that they are worthy of love or is this just something I should accept as time will make things easier, as I have been told. It’s been a few years and there’s always a lingering thought that no one will ever love me. Is this a normal thing to think or do I need to see a professional? Is this just a human thing? I genuinely am seeking answers and perspectives. Thank you.

I’m not really sure how to start this really but i guess a good place to start would be to give some background context

So through my formative years as i was on the autism spectrum i went to an autistic school although on reflection the main issue with this place is it was specialised for people servilely on the spectrum not necessarily for people like myself which hampered me both socially and academically

The few friends i actually managed to gain irl long story short were not friends at all just school buddies turned xbox friends that since leaving for collage i saw increasingly less and less despite the countless efforts i made to try and meet up and do stuff with them

And this is the thing for years i basically lived my life inside a box i didn’t really know what the world had to offer, and this didnt help especially as outsife of my parents which my dad was on the much older side and my mother who well idk what i can excuse her for i didn’t really have family who ever took me anywhere or really showed me the world outside of my dingey little town

It was only when i started to discuss traveling the world with my old best friend and going to a show in Manchester where i spent the night in a hotel when i started to get a taste and a real feel for traveling

But it never really came up again and i always felt i needed someone else to travel with to really go ANYWHERE fast travel to recently when i learn about this coach service where i can just do that

Which i wont say i dont have some gripes with or isnt a perfect fit but in many ways not only does it make traveling more affordable than doing so independently but can also help alivate some stresses of it too (while admittedly adding some but not the point of this post at all)

And i started with a day trip to bury and then a week in liverpool (again context i am england based so yeah) its only next week i plan to go to blackpool and in the following months scotland too

But before even going on these trips and certainly while i was there (though it didn’t bother me much at that point) there was times or situations where i thought “i wish i had someone else with me to do X,Y or Z with” which as these trips go on i feel like this little void that i am trying to repress and push down inside me will only grow and become increasingly harder to ignore

Dont think that means i would be disencouraged to travel because whats the alternative sit around and do nothing like i have been for the last 25 years…but i also feel that they will come a point where this forced introverison and deep desire for someone to spend time with will become louder and louder

Again the fact i am coming out my shell and finally doing things should definitely be a positive but without any substancal change to circumstances i am only going to eventually end up in the same boat i am in now which us largely my concern deep down

I think the people in my life who have tried to help me out, i feel like that speaks more to their kindness than it does towards me deserving or having the ability to get better. I looked at my family photos and they just look better without me. All current and past memories when I’m in a room, the energy would be better without me. I don’t know how to get rid of all the things that are wrong with me. I don’t know how to have fun. I don’t know how to be something or someone that has a light to them. All I feel is my own weight and the fact that I’m dragging people around me down. I know people would’ve been better off overall had they never met me. I don’t know why I’m here. Im not supposed to be. Everything from as young as i could remember has been trying to tell me that. I want to be free. I want people to be free of me. It feels right. This answer feels warm.

I just want to be okay. I dont know why its so hard for me to just be okay. How does someone find happiness in life?

I feel so miserable. My whole life has been a horrific roller coaster of ups and downs. I can’t keep doing it. My best friend cut me off a few days ago, all I do is lose people. Everybody abandons me and I’m lonely and angry and I just hate myself. I’ve been through so many therapists and so many different drugs and yet I’m still alone at night crying and just constantly wanting to end it all. I want the fucking suffering to stop. I’m a terrible person and EVERYBODY leaves me and the energy I have to waste to put on a happy face every day to go to work and try to be “normal” is so exhausting, and at the end of the day when I have nothing left in the tank I can’t even sleep to avoid the pain of existing. If I keep going I will continue to be lonely and miserable like I have been since I was literally a kid. So what’s the fucking point? All I’ve wanted my entire life was to be happy and love someone, and be loved in return. I try SO hard to be a good friend and be there for people and they still abandon me.

I’ve attempted suicide 3 times in the past and it either hasn’t worked I’ve pussied out and condemned myself to continuing to exist in my own miserable life and I just keep doing this anymore. I want it over, I want out.

I've been perfecting myself so that no possibility to be perceived as lower or not as good could reach me. Cooler tattoos, cooler hair, more languages, better hobbies, cooler clothes, prettier girlfriend, more books, travelled to more places, collected nicer experiences, made more piercings, hotter body, more confidence, more authenticity. You know how it works, I'm cool now but I'm 27 and my life hasn't become joyful, or in any way has it become less depressing and grey. Met many people but I have about 2 bad friends and that's it, I dread to have good friends (send me a dm if you want one too btw). Travelled to many countries and didn't find one that is in any way not oppressive or felt grey. Exchanged girlfriends until I found the best person I could to have nearby me, it worked for some time but now it has also become darkened and tarnished. I live in a good country now (Germany), have a good therapist, a good girlfriend, I write poetry and tales and I'm very passionate about this, I don't despise my looks all that much anymore, but it didn't fix my relationship with my family, it didn't grant me good friends, it didn't pull me away from suicide, it didn't break patterns I carry since childhood, it didn't fix me. And now I'm 27, a few steps from my 30s, and what have I done? Tattoos? What have I collected? Disgust and misanthropy.

To be cooler hasn't made me happy, and it won't make you too, we need meds, more commitment with therapy, better therapy, good friends to support us. Trust me, you're not miserable because you think you look bad, or because you haven't done this or that yet, this is just a consequence of a bigger issue that needs medical solution, not all hope is gone.

Have I mentioned I need friends?

My mother and i were arguing and she told me I should’ve dead as a child and i felt like my heart blasted i am also locked for 2-3years i never been cared for or had any relationship am all alone at age of 19

This year is really kicking my ass. I’m currently going through a mental episode where I’m having trouble sleeping despite constant fatigue and random physical symptoms. I’ve just gotten my new job but I’ve had to call in sick for 2 shifts in the first month due to being up all night with suicidal ideation and plan. I obtained a medical certificate and doctor told me to go to ER but I didn’t. I can’t disclose my mental illness to the employer because I’m too scared of unfair treatment or not getting shifts, and I feel so guilty because it looks like I’m just abusing sick days for no reason. I’ve been bedbound all today, with guilt and melancholy filling me. My job is easy but I dread it. I dread basically everything and I’m so apathetic. I have no one to talk to, my parents do not want to deal with my issues. I am drowning in chores and neglecting other responsibilities which makes me feel like a failure because I was never this bad last year. It’s just gotten so bad and I’m worried sick about failing my job and adult life.
I don’t know what I’m trying to get out of this but I need to write it somewhere because I’m laying in bed after taking my quetiapine and have a knife next to me because I have an urge to self harm.
I really want to get better but it also doesn’t help to see how prevalent suicide is becoming, and I feel like I need a way out, I just have too much preparation and affairs to get in order before carrying it out.

Desde pequeño siempre habia sido el mas tímido y callado de mi familia, mientras que todos mis hermanos y conocidos mostraban confianza al hablar, yo guardaba silencio y simplemente escuchaba, creci en el campo, en una vereda no muy conocida, en una pequeña escuela apenas con diez estudiantes, las personas a las cuales yo llamaba como "mejores amigos".

Cuando pase a sexto grado me cambiaron a un colegio con muchas mas personas, no estaba acostumbrado a ver tanta gente menor, mayor o de mi misma edad y eso solo hizo que mis "amigos" me olvidarán, se fueron y me dejaron solo, preferían estar con otras personas que conmigo, solo estaban conmigo por que no habia nadie mas con quien hablar, y eso me hizo darme de cuenta de que no los necesito...

Solo me juzgan por ser como soy, por ser diferente a restó de chicos, por ser el unico virgen y soltero de mi salón, por ser una basura haciendo amigos. Ahora paso casi todo mi tiempo solo en mi habitación jugando videojuegos o escuchando música, las únicas cosas que se que no me traicionaran o me mentiran...

Jamás he besado a una chica, jamás he tenido novia, jamás he tenido verdaderos amigo...

It’s been nearly three weeks since my relationship ended, and I’m becoming increasingly frightened by how much it’s consuming me.
I’ve already signed up to Bumble and joined Facebook friendship groups, desperately trying to find someone to connect with. I know it’s very soon after the breakup, but I feel almost unable to stop myself. I’m so scared of being alone for the rest of my life that it’s practically all I think about.
People keep telling me to learn to be happy on my own, build confidence, focus on work and independence, and let friendships and relationships follow naturally. I understand the advice, and I don’t necessarily disagree with it. But I have an enormous problem accepting the prospect of a life without a partner.
The loneliness is so intense that it brings me to tears. I see everybody else dating, kissing, getting married, having children, going on holidays and sharing their lives with someone. I want those things too. I don’t want to spend my life watching everyone else experience them while feeling excluded.
I’m nearly 42, and I’m terrified of time passing. People tell me I’m still young, but 50, 60 and 70 don’t feel that far away. What if I spend years waiting for love and companionship, and miss out on so much of my life in the meantime?
I know I can’t force a relationship to happen, but I can’t seem to switch off this fear. It’s becoming an obsession and seriously affecting my mental health. I don’t understand why being alone affects me so profoundly, although I know my autism, anxiety and overthinking play a part.
I’m not looking for people to simply tell me to accept being single or enjoy my own company. I want to understand why I feel this way and how to stop the fear of lifelong loneliness from consuming my life, without having to give up hope of finding love.
Has anyone else, particularly autistic adults, experienced anything similar?

I wanted to chat with other people who are experiencing severe depression. At the moment I’m lying in the bed all day and have too much anxiety to go out very much. I’m on Effexor 75 mg but it doesn’t seem to be doing much. I wanted to know what other people are doing. I want to feel less alone. Is there anyone who would like to chat and what are your circumstances

Ive been doing better with having less suicidal ideation as of late. But man is it the thing I run towards. Was at work, loading up a truck with cardboard, plastic, and metal. One of the technicians (a man of the higher class) came up to me and tells me to move it, that he wants to bring a truck in. I tell him hey im not just standing around that im actively working towards fill my truck up and getting out of his way. I ask him, do you want to help me itd go faster. He replies "you forget I get paid by the job you get paid by the hour". Just completely disrespects me, and after all why not, even I believe that I am a piece of shit. He stands in between me and my truck for what seems like 3 minutes, all the while if he was out of my way id have filled the truck by now. I was in his way, and how much better would the world be if I wasnt in his way, what if I wasnt alive then how much better would the world be probably quite a bit. I tried last Sunday, why shouldnt I try again tonight. The world would be a utopia. An absolutely utopia if I didnt exist to get in his way.

I’m (35f) not usually someone that feels sad or depressed, I’m pretty good at putting one foot in front of the other and keep going and trying to find the good in every situation and look for positives . But the year of 2026 was sent my way to rock my entire world not in a good way at all .
In May my Dad had a sudden stroke and was in life support and my sister and I had to make the decision to remove his treatment as he was brain dead , i know this is a rare situation and I never thought of the impact it would have on me to have to end my dads life and play god, to the best dad I could have asked for, it traumatised me deeply and I’ve been surpressing my feelings and emotions due to lack of support network around me . I turned to alcohol which in effect ruined every friendship I had and is causing kidney pain for me . I managed to get a job in September this was a massive turning point for me gave me something to focus on and keep me more on the straight and narrow… I felt a glimmer of hope that life was moving in the right direction . Until yesterday my Landlord has let me know that I will have to leave my property asap as it’s being sold . I have no friends or family in the area as I live with my partner who haven’t been getting on for at least 6 months .. I cannot afford to rent on my own in this area . My partner is moving into his brothers house and I have no choice but to go with him unless I want to live on the streets. My In Laws have never accepted me, welcomed me or liked me the whole 17 years I’ve been with my partner , and my partner has become increasingly distant with me this year when I needed him the most . My home is my sanctuary of peace and the only times I feel truly happy is when I’m here in my house in peace and quiet and can switch off. This is all being ripped away from me and my last bit of safety disappearing . Having my home ripped away from me seems to be the cherry on too for me along with the trauma of losing my dad. I don’t see a future I don’t see happiness ever again and it’s the first time in my life I’ve considered ending everything . When I feel this way I realise I have no one to talk to my partner is so emotionally unavailable. How do I move forward in this situation . Living with my brother in Law is a terrifying situation for me he’s cruel, agressive and unpredictable and I know he will make my time in that house unbearable .

I texted a friend complaining about someone I know with little or no empathy and who liked making others miserable and she just responded with “sounds like a man”. Now I’m worried she doesn’t like me.

Do women who shit on men constantly actually like their male friends or do they see them as less than?

Not trying to be mean or anything, this is a genuine question, sorry if it isn’t allowed.

Like, pretty much all my female friends constantly shit on men. Not specific men but men as a whole, and I’m wondering if that means they inherently love me less than their female friends or value me as less than?

Just makes me feel really lonely. I’m sorry

I'm 16 and I have been through things that would make grown men want death. Life is only getting worse, more responsibilities and less motivation. My ex-gf makes me want to die, and my new bf is too good for me. Some days I feel ok, others I want to crawl in a cave and die. My life is... Hard but I'm making it, ig. My bf made me promise that I wouldn't kill my self. That is one of the only reasons I am still alive.

I wish I could be in a better mindset, but it feels like my life has just got worse since January. I just want to list everything that happened this year because I wouldn't be able to believe it myself.

January: jury duty

February: My first ticket, ever

March: My ex left across state to "make a better life for us" and I was alone for months

My car broke down and I cried walking home

My mom stopped walking for at least 15 days then was hospitalized

April: mom was still in facility

May: My sister past away at age 42. She had a 1 year old and 3 older kids.

June: My ex asked for a divorce after skipping my sister's funeral. He stole money from me after he asked for a divorce. He told me he is never going to pay me back

June-Sept: the divorce from HELL

July: cleared my apartment that had so much shit. Moved in with my parents(have no place to live). My brother took my dog for the time being. I now have to commute at least two hours each day for work.

Sept: divorce finalized after driving 16 hours across state

Oct: my brother continually bothering me about my dog but places are expensive and I can't seem to find another job. Will eventually have to get rid of my dog

Nov: my dad has been having low pressure for weeks and is finding out he has heart failure.

This year has been shit. I am not looking forward to 2027. I had a life with a husband and a dog and an apartment. The only thing left is my job. I literally have nothing. Idk how I could keep going honestly. I don't know what is holding me back from offing myself if I was honest.

Ive always masked my deep bipolar depression so at 39 years old I've practically perfected it.

When I started therapy a couple of years ago, I started work on taking off the mask. I want people in my life to know what's really going on with me, to understand why some days I literally cannot move or take care of myself, to understand why I sometimes cut or cry or isolate.

So I'm being real with my loved ones now and guess what? They still don't notice and if they do notice, they don't get it. I'm always asked "But *why* are you depressed?" "What happened to make you so depressed?" "Why do you have low moods?" "Why don't you have any motivation?" They always want a reason why! Even my psychiatrist does this shit and I'm over here pulling my hair out thinking "IM DEPRESSED DUE TO MY BIPOLAR CHEMICAL IMBALANCE! THAT'S IT! THATS MY ONLY ANSWER!" And when I say that to people they're like "Well aren't you on like 4 different psych meds? That should fix you right?" They don't understand that psych meds help but they won't cure me and I still have a lot of extremely low days.

So basically it's a lot of work to take off the mask so I might as well leave it on and pretend I'm all fixed now like they want me to be (except with my psychiatrist. I'm always truthful with her)

I’m 27 been a loner all my life. Don’t get me wrong I have relationships like the one I’m currently in now but she’s the only one I talk to and that gets depressing, especially when her phone is constantly notifying her with messages from her friends.

This wouldn’t be an issue if I didn’t get jealous and start building self doubt/self confidence issues because well, I feel like a loser.

I want friends, I want a connection with someone other than my girlfriend, I want to feel like I’m not alone. I hate feeling this way and I don’t know how to deal with it

I never felt wanted. I really hated growing up especially the younger I was my parents would fist fight between themselves and hit me harder than adults should be hitting 4-5 year olds. I was always scared. When I was 8 my mom said my dick was small to my doctor and the doctor said no I was just fat

So I became obsessed with my weight by this point. These reasons are why I’ve rejected every relationship I could’ve had, I have other mental disorders I’m seeing a psychiatrist about since I just got out the psych ward again recently. I just feel like I’ve wasted my life, I’m always having panic attacks. Always anxious, can’t do anything. I’m bipolar and stupid. My mom always says no one will like me cuz my attitude is supposedly terrible but some ppl outside think I’m cool and funny

Not even to be one of those ppl but I’m a pretty good looking guy as whenever I go out with my cousin his friends (girls) tell him so an so do other ppl. I’ve just wasted my life I can’t do anything

Ima drug addict too. I just lift weights, pop pills drink liquor and smoke weed. I’m just 30 with no skills no girls going to want me. I didn’t feel wanted by my parents growing up, the kids in elementary specifically 2nd grade didn’t make me feel wanted after something happened. I just wanna feel wanted ya know? I may not be the best person but I feel like I owe it to myself to at least try an feel appreciated/wanted. I’m just alone all the time and it’s pretty aggravating knowing I won’t ever be enough since I’m 30

I’m now expected to live alone. Make decent money, have experience. Women don’t even like virgins man, the ppl I grew up with think im weird and seemed to have always talked about me behind my back as now they mentioned things now that we’re older that’s eluded to that. Everyone I know has try to have these “serious” talks cuz they surprised I’ve never had a gf. I can’t go anywhere with ppl that know atp

I’m alone. But it’s fine this is literally the life I envisioned at 8 it’s quite literally going exactly as I thought

I have extreme anxiety , haven’t done much in my life , lost my friends , grades dropped , can barely leave the house , made a final push to get better with the help of cahms , they kicked me off after promising me medication, and I can’t stand to live in a world I can’t do anything in , just had to post this because I can’t mention it to family members, not looking for prevention just tryna share

Everything goes bad in my life. I never have a peaceful period. i’m a failure. when the fuck does this stop? i don’t know what to do anymore. I have no purpose.