Dear Lost76,
Hi, I'm bzb and I've just joined. I did write a response, but my internet cut out and my response was gone! So, here I am again!
Firstly, I applaud your courage and strength. Depression is very challenging, but I hear hope in you, that you do want to change this. I sought professional support. What I clearly remember is being told that I could change my situation, but that it would take time and I needed to take baby steps. So, that's what I did.
I used to bundle everything together and felt like an avalanche would come crushing down on me. What I learnt was that I had to change my thinking. So, I broke things down into parts, I was told to ask myself, is it the end of the world? - and my answer was consistently, no, so that was helpful. But, until I made progress with my depression, I kept things simple. I attended my sessions to help myself, I ensured I kept working, which was an amazing support to me, and I paid my bills. They were my priorities. They sound simple and basic, but when dealing with depression, they were challenging at times.
I have overcome my depression. What changed it for me was learning and developing the tools I needed to help myself, but I needed counselling and there is no shame in asking for support.
I hope this helpful.
