Aside from the actual dealing with my depression and anxiety, I think the hardest part is everyone else's advice and expectations that I should take their advice.

But first, a little back story.

I finally hit a point where I couldn't handle things any longer.  I was hallucinating and I was crying all the time.  I tried so many things.  I have a therapist I still see.  I tried countless supplements. I tried exercising more.  I tried doing yoga more.  I tried meditation.

Nothing. Was. Working.

So about two or so years ago, I embarked on a journey of getting medication for my depression and anxiety. I tried one medication (SSRI) that help stabilize my mood, but it gave me what I called 'bubble guts.'  It felt like something was constantly moving around in my belly, but there was no gas.  It's really hard to teach yoga when you feel like there is something moving around in your body like that.  

I tried a couple of others that made me so sleepy, I was falling asleep at work.  Then my doctor put me on two separate drugs to try to fix the issue (SSNRI and an anxiolytic)  This seemed to stabilize my mood much better and it gave me energy.  So much so that I ended up getting a sleep aid at night to help me sleep.

However, it took me a while to realize some strange side effects with this set of meds.  I was shopping pretty crazily, and I wanted to eat all the time.  I couldn't feel hungry because I was always eating.  It slowly got worse and worse.

I finally decided to go off the SSNRI to see if that was the culprit (with the blessing of my doc).  It turns out, it was creating problems.  However, by going off that med, my moods are much more mercurial and my thoughts are spiraling out of control again and I'm ready to cry at the drop of a hat.

I mentioned to my friends that I will be talking with my doc this week about trying some different meds to see if we can find the right thing.  Many friends have been very supportive, but a few have given me advice and seem to expect I take it.  

I have a friend who thinks I need to take a specific type of supplement that is hundreds of dollars per bottle.  She claims it completely cured her depression years ago.  (Again, I've tried a lot of supplements already.)

I have another friend who thinks it's hormone related.  (It could also be a neurotransmitter issue, which is what these meds are for.)

A few other friends have suggested I look at my diet and make sure I'm not eating anything that could cause inflammation. (I may not be perfect with my diet, but I do a pretty good job.  My problem is I do like chocolate.)

My point is, I think we would all (yes including me) spend less time giving advice and more time just listening to people and sitting there with people who are struggling.  Sometimes people are letting you know what they need and are on the right track.  Trying to distract them won't help anything.