thoughts on depression

I have been chatting more lately about depression. Some days, I experience fatigue, muscle aches, weepiness, and irritablity. Ally McBeal snaps x10. You will often hear me say, "I am too tired to think." But allowing hopeless thoughts and resigning to doing nothing is not my style. I tell people I "manage" depression and I can teach them how to do it, too. What does that mean? It means I don't behave depressed. I say it is important to learn all you can about mood disorders. Awareness is part of it. When I feel tired and beaten down, I immediately kick into TLC mode. The physical symptoms attack first. It's time to fight. I have a list of things I do but first, I pray. I tune my thinking into prayer and give the depression to God. By the time I am done talking, I know everything is going to be ok. I don't take medication. I choose to experience my symptoms as they come. If I am helping someone, I say to pay attention to your thoughts and beliefs and find what it is that gives you hope and take refuge there.