Thank you Arvind for describing depression so well.

I am 71 now and had my first panic attack at 18 years old, followed by depression and OCD. That was in the very early 70s, and Drs had no idea how to treat this.

By accident, I took up long-distance running in my 20s and my depression faded. So exercise truly helps.

Medicine also helps, as does talk therapy. I started taking Paxil in 2002, 30 years after my first panic attack. And today I live in each moment and I'm grateful for what I have.

All that said, if feelings of depression, panic attacks, and compulsive behavior become just too much, see a Dr. There is no need to suffer and no need to feel ashamed. The condition is quite common, and treatable.

Joe