Depression....

So I suffer from depression. I am not afraid to admit it, and not ashamed that I take anti-depressants to help manage it.  Recently, I had a huge set back, and went spiraling in to the darkness fast and hard.  My life was good, for the most part, I have a cute house, a very sweet husband, and two wonderful girls.  We have running, dependable cars and enough food and then some.  I went into a rough spot, and was not able to face the day, I went to the Dr for help, and the additional pills they put me on made me violently ill.  I did miss quite a few days at work.  My work was a HUGE source of stress for me, as I was being treated very poorly by one of my co-workers, and in an office of 5, it really affects you.  My boss had previously acknowledged it verbally, and knew what was going on, but during my rough spot my boss denied knowing anything of the issues, as a matter of fact she called it "my perceived issues at work", so I did not submit my FMLA paperwork or Dr note, I let her terminate me. Ok, well you could say I quit too as I did not respond to any of her text messages once she lied.
Once I made the decision that I would no longer allow my work to drag me down and decided to move on there was a HUGE sense of relief.  I could feel the darkness slip back a little, and then it dawned on me, that perhaps, that was the trigger, being harassed by a coworker for 6 months and walking on egg shells took a harder emotional toll on me than I thought.  I started a new job last week, and LOVE it! Granted, yes, I took a pay cut, but I suppose you could say it is well worth it.  My depression is back in check, and the stress has ebbed, and I realize that my old boss, and coworker were really taking their toll on me.  My boss's husband had some personal issues that she brought to the office repeatedly and allowed it to affect us all, as well as the constant financial issues, and lack of sales for her regions were really stressing.  Now, it is gone.  I work for a large company, that is very stable, and I wont have to deal with an unreasonable employer.
I know it is not as always as simple as changing your job, or something in your life to help your depression.  I do take medicine for my depression, and I have even quit drinking to help manage my depression. I have struggled with this my whole life, and will continue to struggle for the rest of my life.  I manage it the best I can, and I try to get help when I feel myself getting too close to the precipice of darkness, I try to keep myself from slipping over that edge and spiraling down to the darkest recesses of my depression.  I know that suicide is not an option, and I know that when those thoughts start haunting my brain that I have to reach out for help.  Whether it be talking to my Dr, my husband, my mom, or my friends, I have to reach out.  Once I get that low, it is very hard to climb back out, and I have a beautiful family waiting at the top, so I MUST gather the strength the get to the top of my emotional mountain, and to stay there.
If you ever feel alone, and in the dark, reach out for help.  There are people out there who know how you feel, people who understand, and who will be glad to give you their hand and help pull you out.  Never give up, and know that you will feel the sun on your face again.