Greetings Jason,
Sounds like a lot at once and I am suspecting you may be feeling hopeless. A few things came to mind when I read your post. First, I hope you are getting support from someone who has the capacity to be there for you, a really good friend is good and a counselor can be helpful. Herbally I would suggest that you drink oatstraw infusions on a daily basis, one ounce of herb to a quart of water. Also St Johnswort can be extremely helpful, some may not agree with me, but I have had good experiences with it.

I also wonder if you are aware of the Mankind Project? If not check them out, it is a community of men supporting each other in connecting with their true deep nature. My partner is involved in this and the community piece is has been invaluable to him. Check them out here: www.mkp.org/ Do note that they do offer some financial assistance for the weekend intensive that they offer.

Be well.
Blessings
Linda

hi jason. I'll also say that you need friends more than anything..amazing how that helps when everything else is falling to whalesh%$. I've found that books about cognitive thearpy (larning to change our thinking when facing depression) can relly help get through terrible times. let it be okay to cry about it if you have to. and do eat as well as possible; good nutrition really helps.

you might find that some ind of art practice..painting, clay work, music, whatever you can do...relly lps in terms of getting it all out. nand physical exercise even when it's hard to get moving...walking, dancing, whatever. singing and writing poetry have helped me tremendously.
the St johns Wort can make a real difference for many people but it does take weeks to kick in, and you have reason o grieve, it sounds like. give ourself permission to do just that..your problem sn;t shortage of St Johns Wort, it;s abut very real loss. (conventional pharmaceutical medications are the same way,. there;s a fascinating personal history of "melancholia"and depression calle Where the Roots Reach fr Water, author Jeffrey Smith. medication bame no longer an option for him. he finds a spiritual way through it that might work for some and not for others...but he is well worth reading even if you can't go the way he went ,in the long run.)

I think one of the best, and least understood, social uses of the Internet is networking with people who can provide support and friendship when it;s lonely going in the 3D world.

I think stimulants to cutthrough i only make it wrse in the long run.

there are often free crisis warm lines of one sort or another...try giving them a call if it gets really rough. and find friedns syou an call too, maybe some internet contacts could porvide a phone nunber? worth a try.
here;s a sincere wish that things turn around for you, and soon.

I'm so sorry to hear about your depression...as a person with bipolar disorder, I've been there many times. For me, sunlight and exercise are the only things that give me instant results...running, swimming, hiking. Counseling and stuff's important too if it's really serious, but as for how to get through the day-to-day, it's little habits that really sustain you.

Another thing that *really* helps is re-setting your hedonic setpoint by listing all the things in life you're grateful for and all the good memories you have. When you actively recall good memories, your brain gets "good memory" chemicals and it's kind of like reliving the good times. It also reminds you that you do have the potential for happiness, and depression isn't your inherent state.

good luck and peace to you!

Hilary

I feel that depression can be like a dog chasing his tail , a sort of continuing downward spiral , especially if one has no close friends for support .
I suggest that you find a group who accepts volunteers . One of my ways to break the cycle of self destructive thought is to help others . This helps break the thought cycle and will create a wealth of new friends .
Remember always , no one is perfect so don't expect yourself to be !

Hi Jason, and sorry to hear about the bad spot you're in. I have lost everything before, too. A few times, actually. It's never permanent. Try to remember that and it will help.

I have had lots of success with 5-htp, taking around 50-100 mg per day. It really helped my depression and anxiety (not to mention insomnia). 5-htp (hydroxy tryptophan) is made from the Griffonia Simplicifolia plant. It helps your brain make serotonin.

If you can afford it, do try this (a rare side effect may be a headache; in that case quit taking it).

Also please try to take some daily vitamins. I recommend further supplementation with vitamins B12, B6, Magnesium and vitamin D as well. I had just about tried everything for depression, anxiety and insomnia, and these helped better than anything.

I know it's hard when money is tight, but do try to get good nutrition when you can. It really does make a difference. If you need further financial or medical assistance, keep seeking it out. Help is out there.

Good luck and health to you.