I have felt moderately depressed for much of my adult life, but always just told myself to suck it up, life is hard, life is not fair, etc. Well, you can imagine where that got me....earlier in this year, I had a major medical issue that I had to face alone (I am single and did not receive a lot of support from "friends" during this time). Everything turned out fine for me physically, but left me very depressed, as I felt I had no one to turn to in a major moment of crisis.

I finally went to see a psychiatrist and she put me on a low dose of an anti depressant (she has gradually increased the dosage). I am feeling better, but not exactly "happy". At my last appointment, as I was checking out, I saw the term "dysthmia" on my record. I went home and researched it and could not believe how accurately it described me...low self esteem, either over weight or underweight, fatigue, irritability, chronic MILD depression, trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.

I know that therapy along with medication is more effective than just meds alone in treating depression, but I have not taken that extra step yet. I went to a counselor 2x in the very beginning but was so overwhelmed wiht her approach of trying to make a plan for being more social, trying to meet someone, etc (i had told her I was lonely, etc). It makes sense that I wasn't ready for that given my low self esteem.

Just wondering if anyone has experiences with mild depression? How long does it take to feel "happy"? (not really expecting answer to that last question...it's just what I ask myself all the time)