Hi Mouse,

I'm not depressed, but I am a data pack-rat. Two years ago one of my immediate coworkers took an unplanned 5-month vacation and I did a little research--and of course I saved it.

I don't know if you have a family history of depression. In addition to geentics, there are a lot of physical and dietary things that can influence your mental state. For example, my coworker found he had undiagnosed diabetes. A checkup wouldn't hurt to rule those things out.

I was thinking about your last year. You've mentioned that you were working long hours on your assignments so you could graduate. A lot of lifestyle and dietary routines are disrupted by all that work. If you were a typical college student you were:

  • probably not eating a balanced diet as much as usual and eating way more fast food than normal. Nothing goes with an all-nighter like Cheetos or pizza.
  • probably drinking a lot of soda.
  • probably spending less time than normal exercising and being active.
  • probably spending a lot less time outside.
  • if you would normally attend church you were probably not going as much as normal.
  • not writing to express yourself. ("Get off the Boards, Mouse.")
  • spending less time with your friends and catching up on them with social media.
  • and now you're either looking for or starting a new job.


All of these factors influence depression. None of these is a big deal, but over the last year I'l bet you got the grand slam. Many of these have been mentioned on this thread. Some links below for the left-brained to read.

Getting back to a "normal" might be as simple as getting back to a normal life but advice will help it happen more quickly. Professional advice even more. Prayers don't hurt and I'll add mine.



Fast Food and Diet
Link between fast food and depression confirmed
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120330081352.htm

Hold the diet soda? Sweetened drinks linked to depression, coffee tied to lower risk
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130108162135.htm

ScienceDaily Omega-3 Fatty Acids Affect Risk Of Depression, Inflammation
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070329092058.htm


Exercise
Exercise with a physiotherapist helps people with depression
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150612091327.htm

Moderate exercise not only treats, but prevents depression
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131028163003.htm

Sport, physical activity help against depression
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140916084825.htm


Light and Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency, depression linked in international study
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141202111148.htm

Treating vitamin D deficiency may improve depression
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120625152358.htm

Low vitamin D levels, depression linked in young women, new study shows
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150318145501.htm

Mood Brighteners: Light therapy gets nod as depression buster
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/mood-brighteners-light-therapy-gets-nod-depression-buster


Attitude and Religion
Studies Show 'Hope Therapy' Fights Depression
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080817223648.htm

'Religiously integrated' psychotherapy is effective for depression
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150331145017.htm

Recalling positive memories reverses stress-induced depression
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150617134730.htm

Mindfulness-based therapy could offer an alternative to antidepressants for preventing depression relapse
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150420213918.htm

Changing Thoughts Key to Battling Even Severe Depression
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100512125257.htm

Mindfulness treatment as effective as CBT for depression, anxiety
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141127112755.htm




Social Media
Facebook use linked to depressive symptoms
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150406144600.htm

Feelings of loneliness, depression linked to binge-watching television
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150129094341.htm




Writing
ScienceDaily Putting Feelings Into Words Produces Therapeutic Effects In The Brain
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070622090727.htm


Other
Analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs may have impact on depression
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141021101506.htm

ScienceDaily Hypothyroidism Clearly Linked To Mood Swings
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070604170803.htm

Music therapy reduces depression in children, adolescents
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141023091841.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070314195638.htm

Shallowford