I apologize for arriving at this forum so late, noticing a number of threads regarding depression. I've learned and dealt with depression and MS but as time went on it became depression from NOT MS, but long term deteriorating chronic illness. In other words, one cannot simply attach the word depression to MS and believe all bases are covered.

In the beginning, and on two specific life altering occasions, I was on the edge of the abyss and prepared to jump in. Thanks to the right people taking notice, performing their professional jobs well, my own realizations followed by very proactive decisions and actions, I am no longer on any AD meds.

"How's that you ask?" I "CHOSE" to take a long personal journey requiring the full acceptance of responsibility for myself and actions. Gradually weened myself off the AD meds eliminating their side effects, which compound any problem. Surrounded myself with positive, personal development and self-improvement books, audio CD books, and DVD movies. I "DECIDED" I was no longer going to tolerate "depression" and to fight it head-on and bare knuckled.

In addition to the proactive actions above, I eliminated all negative influences on my life, removing a few toxic people, no more CNN or network news, no more morning newspaper. The reality is, I can do nothing personally to change it, all will continue rather I choose to participate or not. It was my conscious "DECISION" not to waste positive energy in such negative activities. If it's the Second Coming or Judgment Day, I'm sure I won't need Fox News Network to tell me about it.

My point of sharing all this with you, I know where you are and how you feel. "YOU" take the responsibility and have absolute control over your own thoughts. Your thoughts lead directly to an impact immediately on "ALL" aspects of your life. Become your own best health advocate proactively. You are at war with your body, medicine, doctors, insurance companies, work, and your own head. The real "front-line" of battle is between your ears. "YOU" have total control and impact on your own situation so stop blaming MS, your work, wife, husband, parents, doctors, whatever. "DECIDE" how you want to feel and then take "ACTION" to feel that way. You have "ABSOLUTE" power over your own thoughts, thus attitudes. Both intrinsically impact all aspects of your life.

Now! It's time to go to work on ourselves!