Hi Danny Boy, while others have given strong advice to you on what you should do right now, maybe I can give you my first hand experience of severe depression. I always say that it was depression that nearly killed me not the cancer. I was so down after treatment thinking that there was no more hope in my life and I was a burden to my family and I was so helpless. All these negative thoughts and attitude pushed me to the verge of death until one day my husband and sister in law decided to 'escort' me to the hospital. In fact I had been on anti-depressants at home for quite some time already and there was little effect whatsoever to take me out from despair. I had clinical psychologist coming to talk to me on alternate days and that didn't help much either. When I was hospitalized in a psychiatric ward, I was under close observation and the psychiatrists (a group of doctors actually) designed a plan to help me overcome the depression.The psychiatrist talked to me every day and monitored the medicine prescribed. In the patients' ward, I had chances for self-reflection and also saw how others suffered even more than me.It took me about a month to get my depression under control and 3 years post treatment, I still need to consult the psychiatrist on regular basis. Danny, depression is common among cancer patients but please do not let it deteriorate. Noone knows what happens to us in the next minute and one thing for sure, your family need you most at this moment. If you feel helpless, reach out for professional help. I want to see Danny with his confidence, strength and courage back.
Karen.