Hi from England

[afx777]

Hi people

I am Robin, a 32 year old IT support engineer (groans) and have been struggling quite badly this year with anxiety, depression and low self-esteem and was told about this website from a newly found online friend when I opened up to her about how I felt. I hope to discover and read some new enlightening information, ideas and suggestions which may benefit me in the short or long term. I want to change but lacking the motivation...

Anyway, hope to make my first proper post soon.

Regards, Robin.

[Zukin]

Welcome to the forums, Robin!

I posted this information in another thread, but it may help you if you are dealing with anxiety and depression:

Depression is mainly due to two factors: biological factors and catastrophic thoughts. The Wikipedia article on depression has a good overview.

These articles are also very good at describing the basis for depression:
Demystifying Depression - Part I || kuro5hin.org
Demystifying Depression - Part II || kuro5hin.org

If you want an inexpensive way to treat depression, I recommend the following steps:

1. Change your diet to include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Also, reduce the amount of processed foods in your diet (such as products made with sugar and white flour).
2. Take omega 3 supplements, especially fish oil. Magnesium supplements may also be helpful.
3. Read about cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy will teach you to identify depressive thoughts and deal with them effectively.
4. Try to go outside for ten to twenty minutes each day. A lack of sunlight leads to a lack of vitamin D production in the body, which can cause depression.

The Wikipedia article I linked to at the beginning of this message also has a variety of potential treatments.