St. John's Wort, Melatonin and Exercise Help Treat Depression

I was 15 when I was diagnosed with clinical depression. I was told that there are medicines and treatments, but that I'd have it all of my life. Being 15, it didn't seem like that big of a deal. I figured I'd be sad for a while, take some pills, talk to a doctor, and go about my life. 

At age 21, I understand why people compare being diagnosed with depression and being given a death sentence. I am on medications that must constantly be changed, I've had multiple suicide attempts, I've been hospitalized three times, I've dealt with the stigma attached to my illness, and dealt with probably too many things for a person who's only been alive 21 years.

But I'm alive. I looked in the mirror this morning and said to myself that what is good in my life is worth going through all this bad for.

I haven't mastered living with depression. It's safe to say that no one has. I have found things that have helped me. I want to preface all of this by saying how important a good support system is. I am truly blessed with good parents, an older brother who knows what I'm going through, a great therapist, great friends, and a great boyfriend who won't stop loving me no matter what happens. I tried to do all this alone and I couldn't. I don't think anyone can. I really think that the first step to living with depression is building a good support system. By a support system I mean people you can call when things start to get bad. People whom you trust and who can comfort you. A good support is someone who is the first number on your speed dial, without a doubt.

When I'm having a low day, I try very hard not to think about anything past tomorrow. If I think about next week or next month in that mindset it seems like I'll never get there and I lose hope. Depression seems easier if you think in terms of days, not weeks. I never think things like, "Tomorrow will be better" because if tomorrow isn't better there will be more thoughts of hopelessness. I just think about what needs to be done the next day and say it isn't that much and that I can do it.