Depression

When we are hurt over and over again the best choice of action seems like retreat but in reality the only way we can overcome that sense of being a victim and of going nowhere no matter how much one tries is to force ourselves to take positive action. We need to give direction to our life ourselves. No one can do it for us. Then we enable ourselves to move toward our dreams however slowly. Making the effort to force ourselves into a postive mode is well worth it. The trick is to think small: narrow your sights to the next hour, the next minute, the next second and make that tiny space satisfying to you. The big picture can be horrifying indeed but it need not be once you break it down into tiny segments . Remember, each step that leads you in an unpleasant direction is not a mistake, it is a learning experience.
I am always horrified when I read of people deliberately sacrificing weaker people in their haste to save themselves. I do not need to save myself physically nearly as much as I need to preserve my sense of integrity and faith in the consistency of my moral imperatives. If I don't live up to them, I am nothing even if my body is still breathing and eating.
Although I agree that mental illness is a chemical imbalance, I believe we have some control over that imbalance and if we catch it before it conquers us we can push ourselves out of the depths of despair by doing small pleasurable things that give us a sense of success. Motivation is always the key to a successful life. If we WANT to be healthy and happy, we can make it happen.