Clair and John,

It went on for 40 years because I didn't know exactly what I was up against. Had
I known it was dysthymia years ago I at least would have been able to plan my
life around it and things would have been a lot easier. Also, I always thought
that the next year would be better so I kept working on it but instead they just
got worse year after year. I often compare my experience with a Nazis
concentration camp inmate.

I was looking for information about depression when I saw the term 'dysthymia'
and was curious. I clicked on the link and was startled to discover that the
malady fit my life, my whole life!, almost exactly. For example my mother became
depressed when I was four years old and I was sent to an orphanage for two years
while she was treated in a hospital where she resided for 18 months. She was
given the full round of electro-shock treatment. And, I must assume 'cause I
don't remember that much, that the orphanage experience was traumatic for me as
a four year old. So, we've got family history and early childhood trauma and
that's just the beginning.


Can either of you(John and Clair) identify the origins of your affliction?

I told you that I'm passionate about vintage postcards and in the process of
collecting them I acquired two that are appropriate for my condition. One is a
happy new years card with the sentiments 'Health, Wealth and Happiness' on
it and it was mailed in 1909 and I have it displayed over the kitchen sing where
I can see it. The other is a birthday greetings and it wished the recipient
'Fair Thoughts and Happy Hours' and that one I have on my refrigerator. Once I
figure out how I will sent you images of the postcards.

Fair Thoughts and Happy Hours

ed..