YOU'RE NOT ALONE IN THE DEPRESSION THING. I'm right there with you. Last year January 2014 I was pregnant.5 weeks into my pregnancy I had a tubal and was able to save my tube. I had been so happy because we been trying for 2 years. I was going to name her Lilly at first then the sd and her mom got a new dog and named their dog lilly so then I decided to name the baby Milly. After I lost that baby the Sd says that baby didn't even exist. BITCH! yes I called her that! I get pregnant again in July with three positive tests and a positive blood test at dr office then come to find out it had turned out to be a chemical pregnancy like a early miscarriage. I have put on weight.The brat and her half sister that I allowed to come over, was mean to me. I cant stand my Sd sister her Piece of shit BM had by another man before she met my husband. They started getting that other girl call my husband Daddy..Not just a simple Daddy but DAAAADDDDYYY...like fake! That other girl comes over and stresses me out and coaches my SD11 to be a complete bitch. Yes I am depressed from all the good things I have tried to do and be the best step mom by staying out of the BM and DH parenting but the BM wants my DH back so bad that she has gone through any lengths. The bitch BM even asked my DH to adopt that older one, while we were married. She tries to pull fast ones all the time. THat older one cant stand me or my DH. He tries to be a role model in his daughters half sisters life and she talks and makes fun of his skin tone, says he looks like that cartoon charater on king of the hill. She calls him PEDRO and that is not his name. She only comes over when we are doing something fun. Yes this is all my husbands fault for letting this shit to continue but he wont do anything about it. I'm depressed too. Mainly because since I married him I have lost my since of security and self reliance. Yes, he talked me into up and quitting a job I was with for 5 1/2 years, I felt secure at the time with his decision but boy I was wrong. So you are not alone. Sorry if I vented on your post. I was just trying to stress you were not alone.

The first step is admitting it to yourself, which you have done; the second is to admit it to your therapist. Depression is something really serious, so don't be ashamed to ask for help. Please help yourself, before you reach a state where you can neither help yourself nor anyone else, including DD. You are not alone.

Here is my first hand experience on how to deal with depression:

Exercise - I know it sucks and I know it is the last thing you want to do right now. But try - even a 10 minute walk. Studies have shown it can help as much as drugs.

Drugs - Your depression sounds situational - drugs can help on a temporary basis. They can help you feel better in the short term so you will do the things you need to do so you will feel better in the long term.

Meditation - of any sort. Mindfulness is big right now and I have found it helpful. It will give you the ability to turn the browser off. Not so you ignore the issues, but so you control them and when you think about them - they don't control you.

I totally get the worrying and the caring about your SD - even if she is horrible. I don't have much advice for that because I have yet to find a way to shut it clear down. I so admire the women here who can truly disengage.

Hang in there. This is fixable and you have the strength to do it.

Toaster girl, ask your therapist about "situational" depression. I had it when my first kid went to college. It's when you wouldn't be depressed if it weren't for the problem in your life. If it's that, you have some decisions to make. We all deserve to be happy. For me, I learned how to live my life without my son living with me.