Where to go from here

[Confused_in_NC]

Good morning all,

I'm a 45 year-old male, and I feel like I'm on the brink. My life is an absolute disaster. Because of my daughter, whom I adore, I've never seriously considered suicide; but I have thought lately that she and everybody else in my life would be better off without me. I haven't been out of bed for days. I've often wanted to cry, but I just can't; emotionally, there is nothing left in the tank. The people with whom I work don't see anything wrong. Have I just completely gone off of the deep end? Have I lost my mind?

While I'm pretty sure there is no magic bullet, it sure would be nice. You out there, Lone Ranger?

[dhylles]

you are going through depression. i feel that sometimes as well that the world would be better off without me because you give so much and feel that you get nothing back in return from the ones  you love and feel disappointed. i have learned that not everyone can be like me in this world and i have to learn how to love me and put myself first and sometimes you have to put everyone else aside and make time for yourself because at the end of the day all you have is you.

i am glad you are still here with us and i am glad for this site because we are all here to help one another and everyone else is right you do need to seek a doc. that will help you alot.

[bernie40]

You haven't lost your mind but you are suffering from depression.  Whether that be due to circumstances or due to a chemical imbalance, you need to seek help from your Doctor in the first instance.

Either type are treatable but only if you reach out for professional help.  Coming on here and talking to others in the same boat is also a big help as we can offer you support and hopefully make you feel less isolated.

[birdie0907]

Have you seen a psychiatrist or counselor? You may just need a "tune-up" kind of change in outlook, perhaps just involving reading a specified book or getting involved in activities that bring joy to yourself and others, or you may have a more serious problem. Either way, a professional is the fastest way to find a solution.
You might spend a lot of time on your own, and possibly to no avail, trying to figure what is wrong.

In the early stages of a depression, if that is what you have, there more options for resolution than later.

[Confused_in_NC]

Maybe its a little of both....I've had times in the past where I had real difficulty. But this time seems to be the worst. I haven't gotten out of bet for 4 days. Everything just seems to be closing in on me.

[el_dave]

Is life a disaster because of specific things you can point to, or does it just seem that way? I think depression is sometimes caused by a chemical imbalance, in which case physicians should be able to get you on some sort of medication that will help. If the depression is "situational", though, IMHO it's far preferable to work on the situation(s) than to mask the pain with drugs.

-El Dave