Emotion: depression
Problem: ongoing depression
Situation: I've been struggling to motivate myself generally, and no longer feel pleasure in the things I do on a daily basis.

assistant: hello! what is on your mind today?

user: Hi there. I don't really know how to start with this, but I've been feeling low for the last year or so, and feel like my mood is getting worse with each day. I don't have any motivation to do anything and I'm not sure exactly where to turn.

assistant: it sounds like you are a little depressed

user: I think that might be true. Can you offer any advice or guidance on what I can do to improve it?

assistant: i think a lot of people are feeling that way. covid has really changed up everyone's lives, and it is hard to make drastic changes like we all have. if y ou have health insurance you can always look into therapy or antidepressants there are also free sites like 7 cups that does peer to peer supprt

user: Yeah my issues have definitely been compounded by the crisis, and not being able to speak to my friends or family, or even my work colleagues now I work from home. I don't have health insurance unfortunately, otherwise I'd have gone down that route.

assistant: sometimes talking to people even through chat can make us feel less lonely and change things up a bit

user: 7 cups, I haven't heard of that one. What do they do? Definitely even this conversation is making me feel a little better.

assistant: peer to peer support. you can. try to google it!

user: I will look into it after this conversation then. Is there anything you could recommend I try before I contact them? Just anything I can do to lift my spirits?

assistant: if you google lemonaid health that is a doctor you can see virtually its prettty cheap less than a hundres a month for a doctor and meds!

user: Do you think meds are a good option? I'm worried if I take that route I might end up zoned out or addicted to taking them.

assistant: when i am feeling down i like to go sit outside. vitamin d that we get from the sun is really importnat. i am inside a lot. i have had to start taking a supplement and it helps! i've been onn and off antidppressants for about twenty years. antidepressants work with natural chemicals in your brain they are not addictive because they are not narcotic

user: Okay sure, so I could just go to my local pharmacy and pick up Vitamin D? Or is that prescribed by a doctor? Okay that's good to know you have first hand experience.

assistant: you can look an amazon for herbal or natural options .st johns wort is a good one

user: Okay, what does that do? I havent heard of that supplement before.

assistant: vitamin d d is over the counter! any pharmacy, amazon, its easy to find and cheap my friend swears by st johns wort. its some herb that is a natural anti depressant. you could do some research and see!

user: Okay that's useful. And there are no side effects to taking vitamin D, are there? I'll look into st john's wort. It seems as though there is loads of research to be done here - which is a little stressful!

assistant: it can be stressful but a positive stress. remember you are researching how to help yourself and feel better!

user: That's true, it's working towards an end goal of feeling like myself again. You are right.

assistant: you'll be okay. i know its hard to stay positive, but i think you are doing pretty good

user: Thanks for that, it makes a difference to hear some encouragement.

assistant: i think we all need to support eachother during these uncertain times. at least with the vaccine there is a light at the end of the tunnel for a lot of people! :)

user: I don't want to overwhealm myself, but I think I'll go grab a coffee and take a look into Vitamin D and St Johns Wort now. I like the idea of using supplements and seeing how they work for me before moving onto heavier antidepressants. That's true, I'm just hoping the end of the tunnel isn't too far away. Can't face another summer locked inside with nothing to do!

assistant: Sounds good! Enjoy your coffee and the rest of your day! :)

user: Thanks, I will do. And thanks again for your help.