Ella, please don't take this as criticism - I do understand what you are saying - but if you are able to go from 'the blues' to 'happy' just by changing a record, you aren't depressed in the clinical sense, even if you are pre-disposed to bouts of depression.

The loss of a loved one either through bereavement, or by being 'dumped', does not necessarily induce clinical depression, though it obviously can.

I have suffered with depression for years, and lose the will to live on a regular basis. No music on earth is capable of fixing that for me. Sady, it is very rare that I listen to recorded music for pleasure, and I often find it hard to enjoy going to a folk club - so much so that I frequently stay at home instead.

Well-meaning people say 'You'll enjoy it when you get there!' - but it doesn't work like that. If I ignore my gut feelings and go, I'm more likely to get a panic attack, maybe insult someone, then head for home as quickly as I know how.

Bagpuss is right - it's symptomatic of depression that you lose interest, and there is no 'instant fix'.

If you have good, supportive friends around you (as I have), it helps, but another symptom of depression is the ungracious treatment of these friends - though as true friends they understand and ignore such behaviour.

One thing is certain - depression sorts out who your real friends are!!

Sorry this is a bit rushed - I haven't had time to read the thread properly, and I hope I'm not trampling all over people's feelings (as I often am wont to do!).

TTFN

B

Patience is the companion of wisdom.
--St. Augustine