Anonymous asked this question on 5/16/2000:

I am a w/53yrold female suffering from chronic severe, treatment resistent depression for many years, this last episode is now in the 2nd year, I am on my third psychitrist. My current doctor is at Johns Hopkins and is well known in the field of mental illenss. If have tried every anti-dpressent known to man, I even had 7 ECTS last year, and they did not help! I don't understand what is wrong. I see ads that depression can be helped, but nothing has helped me. I want to feel better so badly, it's making me more depressed. I never go out of the house, or get dressed and most days don't get out of bed except when my husband takes me to the doctors or the hospital. Luckily I have an understanding husband and no children to care for, so sleeping all day is only hurting me. Does anyone have any advise or suggestions for me? thank you so much

ScreenMentor gave this response on 5/16/2000:

If you've tried all the meds with no luck then try something different.

Try acting like you are not depressed. Make your body behave the way you think it should if you weren't depressed. Get out of bed. Take a shower. Put on clothes, go out for a walk. Go out of your way to smile at 20 people before 10am.

Read joke books, watch funny movies. Fingerpaint. Work in a garden. Get your hands dirty.

Get into a pool and splash around in the water. Play with water toys in the pool. Run through a sprinkler.

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