Emotion: depression
Problem: ongoing depression
Situation: I have suffered from depression for twenty years and despair of every getting any better.

user: Hi there, I am desperate to get some help for my ongoing depression, is there anything that you can do?

assistant: Hello, I am certainly gonna try to help! What triggered the depression tonight? \

user: Well, it's not really any worse tonight than it has been for years. I just don't know how to get out of it and I suspect that I might never be able to.

assistant: Not that I'm typically a fan of this, but there are certain justifications and it has its place. Have you sought professional help?

user: I have been prescribed some medication by my GP but I cannot really afford professional counselling.

assistant: There are a lot of programs in place to assist those who're in need of psychiatric evaluation and treatment but dont have the financial means to pursue it.

user: I am sorry for the delay, I had a personal emergency. What sort of things are you talking about?

assistant: Do you live in the US>?

user: No, I am British. There are limited resources available here but not many and there's a waiting list.

assistant: Have you placed your name on the lists?

user: The trouble is also that I have tried a variety of medications and none has really been all that helpful. Yes, I am on some waiting lists but I do not know how long it might take to get to the top of them.

assistant: Medication isn't always the best solution. I speak from personal experience. Also, its better to be inching up a list than reluctant to be on it at all.

user: Why do you say that medication is not the best idea? I am aware that it is not a panacea but it can help to take the edge off, as it were.

assistant: It absolutely can take that edge off, but often so can many other things, like painting, writing, talking to a friend or a stranger even. I don't mean to suggest you stop any medication without medical advising. I simply mean to say that there are advantageous methods of therapy that dont involve a pill.

user: I think that there are some conditions where medication is necessary but I do take your point that there are other things that we can do to alleviate symptom. Maybe it is best to do these things in tandem?

assistant: You're absolutely right that sometimes there is a need for medication. My mother suffers from depression as do I. She has to take Effexor everyday for her condition. I, however went through COUNTLESS combinations and never found a relief as helpful as when I write and talk to people.

user: I also went through a lot of different combinations before ending on on Prozac. I think that different things work for different people. I do not find it very easy to talk to people.

assistant: Have you explored other theraputic avenues to synchronize with the medication?

user: No, I am rather way of 'natural' or homeopathic medicine. Are there any kinds that you could recommend?

assistant: You're doing VERY well talking to me! Had you not said anything, I would have assumed that to be the best choice! But if you're an introvert, then my first suggestion is to journal.

user: I do do a lot of that but I would feel too shy to show anyone my journal. Your help has been invaluable though and I do feel more receptive to other forms of treatment now.

assistant: That way you can reflect on what you've written and possibly learn patterns, triggers, moodswings and other information that would help the problem. Journaling is for YOU. No one else has to ever see it if you don't want them too. Glad I can help.

user: I often do go over things that I've rewritten but there can be long periods where I just feel that I have nothing to say. Thank you so much for your help though, I do feel a lot better! I hope to see you again soon.