What advice do I have? I am a mess in a lot of ways, but there are
ways out of depression. If what you feel you need and what's out there
are too out of sync, you will have depression. I am a smart and
creative guy- I like art and music and travel. I don't have an
education though, so I have to hang around with people who are
interested in TV and football and lottery tickets and not much else. I
joke around with people, but they don't always see the depression in
me. It's a chronic thing- you keep it at bay partly with work,
exercise, and therapy.
What worked with me- (1) reading psychology books (2) exercise (3)
reading through cognitive therapy books (4) group therapy- support
groups
What didn't help- (1) Drugs
I don't know why I am complaining- I have a fairly soft government
job where I don't have to work too hard. I wish I had left the dreaded
private sector years earlier-What I enjoy- (1) 15 sick days a year,
(2) layoffs by seniority only- each day that passes makes you more
secure, (3) 13 holidays, 3 personal days, 20 vacation day (4) can
start collecting pension at 55- I will stay longer to boost retirement
earnings.
Men and women get depressed over different things- Men get
depressed if they can't find a woman, but women can get depressed even
if they do find a guy.