You mean to tell me LBJ isn't still in office?! Give me a break.  Clinical
depression doesn't have much to to with loss of cognitive reasoning.  Even
*I* know that!

Jill

That's funny - that was what I thought too! lol Good luck Jill!

Nowadays I HATE to go to bed dirty and I can't stand it if I haven't
brushed my teeth because my mouth tastes like the bottom of a birdcage
in the morning... but I remember when I would really and truly just
'forget' to do it, or I just plain didn't care enough to move. The
unpleasant sensations didn't penetrate my consciousness enough for me
to be prodded into taking the needed action.

Just a few words of encouragement from one who has never dealt w/these
people: remember that this dude is *not* the last word, ever, on the whole
ball of wax....
*but* I know you don't wanna hear this, but two friends of mine who have/are
dealing with SSI have told me it
is absolutely necessary to shave time off your ordeal w/them to get yourself
an excellent attorney well versed in this specialty. It is *not* all up to
docs' certifying stuff.

I hadn't bathed in three days (Too much info, I know).  I'm normally too "I
don't give a s***" these days but it gets to a point where you just have to
take a shower because you disgust yourself.

Also wound up with a case of IBS this morning and my medication for that
makes me incredibly sleepy and they say you should not drive.  So I
rescheduled my appointment. Oh, and I found out my caseworker was fired.
Funny thing, that.  She never did answer her phone or return phone calls.

Jill

{{{{{{{{{{Christina}}}}}}}}}  Thank you.

Actually, I've been clinically depressed for years and you really don't want
to know how often (or should I say seldom?) I take a bath these days.  Of
course I would rather not be depressed.

I do not enjoy cooking (or anything else, come to think of it) as much as I
used to.  Once upon a time I looked forward to coming home from work and
cooking.  I cooked healthy meals, too.  These days I have to drag myself
into the kitchen (and you definitely don't want to see what it looks like).
Every once in a while I get up the gumption to do the whole cooking routine,
but for the most part these days I eat frozen stuff or things that can be
cooked in one pot with minimal prep (good thing I love soup, isn't it?).

I can trace my depression back to 1999 when I lost my dog of almost 18
years.  I wasn't allowed to have pets (except for birds) when I was a kid.
But truly, it was probably earlier than that and I simply didn't realize it.
Then, of course, 9/11/2001 happened and I lost 30 co-workers I knew
personally (and thanks to our wonderful tech team got to see it happen,
live).

I also have a problem with social anxiety.  I just plain don't like going
out anymore.  It's actually amazing I hop on airplanes and do the art shows
with John.  But here's the thing about that (and yes, I talked with my
doctor about it)... I don't ever have to see those people again.  Chances
are one in a million we'll ever meet up face to face at any point in the
future so somehow that doesn't bother me.

Oh, and I cancelled my appointment.  I told my caseworker I wasn't feeling
well and asked if she could reschedule the examination.  Truth be told, I
couldn't bring myself to drive. (sigh)

Jill