Michael,
If you have good friends that you used to play basketball with...get yourself back out there (it's a catch 22 - if you go you will feel better but it's hard to get yourself going). Get back out in the sun because the Vit D will make you feel revitalized again. As for school, no one can make you go back but not knowing much about you, I can't advise what to do about that. As for the feelings beginning approx. 4 or 5 months ago, go back in your mind to that time frame (go back to your calender if you kept one) and refresh your memory on the goings on during that time in your life to try and figure out what started this depression. Sometimes knowing what triggered it helps in finding the help you need to overcome it. Did you have loss of loved one in your life ? Did you go thru a break up in a relationship ? Did you get layed off at work ? Did you lose a good friend due to an arguement ? Etc...
Also, does this run in your family or have you ever had it before ? Learn about yourself in what USED TO make you happy and smile and enjoy life. Whatever those things were...go back to them. If it meant going to the movies and eating popcorn do it - whether your 30 or 70 - it doesn't really matter. If you liked dancing, find a friend to go with and enjoy. If you liked the beach, take some quiet time for yourself, get a starbucks coffee or something and lit on bench by the ocean or on a nice green patch of lawn near the beach or just get your beach towel and sit on the beach - then.........let your feelings of contentment come out. Whatever it is, you have to find it ! No one can make you happy, you have to do that. In order to help achieve that, find the good things in life and don't ponder on the things you do not like or cannot control. That takes so much energy out of a person. I will tell you that I have been bursting at the seams for 4 years waiting for a chance to go on vacation. I left my hubby at home and took his 2 nieces that are 1/2 my age and believe it or not, we had a fabulous time and did all of the things (I wanted to do) as well as the things they had hopes to do. We had smiles in our voices if that makes sense. We were silly, laughed alot, cruised the blvd singing in the car looking for a place to go have a nice lunch or dinner, went to the movies, layed out by the pool, bought floaters and layed on them IN the pool and took in some rays. Swam a few laps to get some exercise. Watched a movie in the hotel room (with my DVD player) and giggled the entire time - the movie was a crack up. We popped open a bottle of champagne and relaxed and enjoyed each others company while chatting, we went out for a nice meal at a very good restaurant and the Calimari was to die for - OMG I wish I knew how they made it and I would do it at home. We went shopping, had a pedicure, went for Starbucks Ice coffees every morning (I NEVER do that at home), went to the casino because one of the nieces wanted to (she is 27) we could only stay for one drink and played the slots for 15 min because 3 guys started attempting to hit on us LOL I guess I should consider that a compliment towards us : - ) I will tell you that the sunshine and sun tan alone made me feel rejuvenated. All of the other stuff was just the icing on the cake ! I realize you are a guy and probably wouldn't be interested in some of the things we did but I wanted to give you a visual. Oh....we also went and played air hockey and there was a pool table there too. We really enjoyed and I can speak for myself when I say that it was a beautiful, relaxing, energizing weekend. With all of this in mind, I also do not know your medical history so if there are certain medications that tell you to stay out of the sun, then you should speak with your doctor. I truely hope that my advice and experience may be able to help you in whatever is going on in your cirlce of life. Good luck ! Cleo (CALIFORNIA)
