[adam&emilysmom]

I'm a comfort food eater who suffers from depression too! My doctor said that it is a chemical imbalance in the brain because of a lack of serotonin and the anti-depressants are suppose to balance everything out in order to stop the moodiness and anxiety. There was a time when I lived in a dark world, but I'm better now. I still get depressed, but not as bad. I used to work 60 hour weeks as a paralegal, but I haven't worked since my son was born three years ago. I really think that not being able to work has contributed to my depression because I'm the type of person who needs distraction. I think too much and I worry too much. Believe me, my son does his best to keep me distracted and busy, but we really get in a rut being stuck in this house day in and day out! After he was born, my depression worsened and my doctor put me on on zoloft. I also have seasonal affective disorder, which means I get the blues when it is dreary outside. I know it sounds silly that the weather could have so much of an affect on your mood, but believe me, it does. Winters where I live get pretty cold and dreary, so it is a struggle for me. I try not to let my depression and my food addiction control me, but sometimes that is easier said that done. That is why I joined this forum, because I knew there would people here experiencing the same things. It really helps me to keep busy and to set goals for myself. I like to make plans so that I will always have something to look forward to, whether it is a shopping trip, dinner out with a couple of my friends, going to the movies with my husband, etc.. It always makes me feel better when I have something to look forward to. As corny as it sounds, we have game night once in a while and invite my sisters and a few friends to come and play Texas Holdem. I always look forward to that. Sometimes when I'm having a bad day, I'll remind myself that in 3 more days I get to go here or there or do this and that and I do feel a little better. I know everyone is different and everyone deals with things differently, but that seems to help me with my depression, and usually, when my depression is under control, my eating habits are too.