Andy,

Although I am not a carrier.....nor do I have CAH. I have suffered many years with depression. Mine started in my teens and my first suicide or playing at or crying for help was when I was 16 years old. I shrugged it off as just a bad breakup with my boyfriend.......then years later I would get so down and be so moody I could hardly stand to be around  myself. I could talk myself out of depression and shop my sorrows away or sometimes act wild and crazy and bizarre. When all I really needed was attention and acceptance that I was OK and that the world was OK. I got through my young adulthood either drinking or partying or shopping or overindulging in some destructive behavior to get me through the tough times. I would think many times if it were not for my children I would have tried more than I did to end the pain of living and the sorrow of not seeing ANY joy or happiness in my life. FINALLY after......... my husband telling me he did not know how to make me happy , I realized it was ME ! I went to the Doctor told him my history and symptons he prescribed an anti depressant and BOOM!!!! It was like someone raised the window shade of life. I have become a much more pleasant person and I EVEN LIKE MYSELF . I work at being positive and constructive and living my life to its fullest. Not to say I don’t still sometimes get in the dumps or blue........but I don’t want to walk in the ocean and end my woes anymore. Meds are not for everyone and sometimes talking to someone and getting feedback about yourself is positive. I use to hide the fact I was on meds because there was such a stigma that went with depression.......like OH! MY What a looney tune. But no more...... I respect the fact people are more open with depression and chemical imbalances and seek  professional help to overcome it. You just get so TIRED of being down and you don’t realize how draining it is until you feel better and get your zest for life back. There are a million reasons NOT to do something and only one reason you SHOULD! You are a great person and you deserve a great life. GO FOR IT! What do you have to lose? You tried it being down now you owe it to yourself to try it another way. Life is worth it !