[joshuamcclure]

I went through the same thing. A support group works. What helps me the most is vitamins, water and exercise. I also stopped spiking caffeine (I take a time release capsule) and stopped drinking alcohol.

Vitamins (every morning with food): Vitamin C 1000mg (energy and health) B-12 3000mcg (happy energy) Magnesium 400mg (focus and mood moderation) Fish Oil - EPA 120mg + DHA 900mg (memory + mood moderation) L-Carnitine 200mg (precursor for acetylcholine neurotransmitter) Time release caffeine (8 hours of stable energy with no spikes)

This has helped me completely conquer my mood swings (depression as well as ADD) and has made a huge impact on my enjoyment of life.

[antinescience]

Yes, yes, yes a thousand times to stop drinking alcohol. My moods leveled out substantially once I stopped drinking. Granted, I have what is traditionally known as a problem with alcohol so YMMV, but from personal experience it's been the best decision I've made by far. (I could go on for paragraphs about alcohol and programming culture, but I'll shelve the off topic proselytizing for later.)

More important than anything else, if you're having depression issues, it's important to remember that you can always change your story. You're not locked into anything (well, most things) in your life. True, some things are harder to shed than others, but if you're depressed enough where it affects you on a monumental, daily basis, just remember you can change it. Stop engaging in activities that make you feel like shit. Cut acquaintances (even family) out of your life that bring you down. Drop out of life for awhile if you need to - the people who truly care about you will understand. Anything is ultimately better than the alternatives of a quick demise or a bleak existence, both for you (primarily) and the people around you.

It gets better is an overused cliche, but it holds some merit. You can make it better.

(on a side note, time release caffeine sounds incredible.)