Sometimes I can feel depression lurking in the dark recesses of my mind.  It's a heavy mercurial "thing" that can hide for months and then seep out, covering my mood, my energy and my overall well-being.  When my IC pain was at its worse the depression was an almost constant companion to the pain and loneliness.  I guess they are the not-so-strange bedfellows that thrive in one another's company. 

Countless studies have shown a link between chronic illness and depression.  But when I'm weighted down, almost paralyzed by the overwhelming sadness, wrapped in dank bedsheets, unwashed myself and barely eating, I could care less that I am adding proof to what was once considered a scientific theory.  Amongst the throes of swirling depression you want relief.  And understanding. 

Depression hurts physically and emotionally and when family members and friends are already trying their hardest to understand how you can have pain in your bladder, it can be difficult for them to understand the waves of depression that might accompany your journey of living with chronic pain.  So what can we do? Here is a list (not definitive) for dealing with depression:

• Vitamin D intake (of course sun exposure is best)
• Vitamin B Complex
  
• anti-depressants (work with your doctor or psychologist)
• See a psychologist, psychiatrist or counselor that you trust
• Exercise
• Cut up some lemons and limes, inhale deeply.  Squeeze some into your water and relax.
• Listen to a guided meditation CD, a CD filled with ocean waves, or a CD with birds singing
• Read a humorous book
• Try and clean yourself up and get out of bed (I know this can be hard!)
• Pet your pet (petting dogs and cats has been proven to lower heart rates)
• Journal through your emotions
• Talk to a trusted friend or family member

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pain-and-depression/AN01449

Countless IC articles/studies confirm what most of us with IC already know.  The secret thoughts locked up inside the depths of our being: thoughts of suicide.  An IC patient is 3-4 times more likely to commit suicide than a non-IC sufferer.  And those with severe pain and symptoms rank their quality of life below that of people undergoing kidney dialysis, or people with cancer. 

The statistics might seem high for anyone fortunate enough to not have to experience the extreme pain, discomfort, and complete change in quality of life that IC patients experience.  Before I had IC I had experienced migraine headaches and irritable bowel syndrome and I had always considered myself to be a positive person.  It was shocking to me how much IC hurt.  My bladder hurt.  My vagina hurt.  Sitting, walking, standing was excruciating.  During times of ovulation I would extreme pain and swelling of my labia which made wearing clothing unbearable.  Yet, in spite of all of the pain and swelling I still had a job to go to, grocery shopping to do, and a household to clean.  My quality of life suffered when I could no longer eat whatever I wanted.  My social life became non-existant.  Thoughts of suicide began to creep into my thoughts. 

If you are having these thoughts as an IC patient, know that these feelings are valid, and that you are not the only one to feel this way.  If you are a woman with IC, you might have experienced condescension from your male doctor about having IC, and he might have prescribed anti-depression medication to you before you were officially diagnosed with IC.  (Yes, I experienced this as well).  Please work with a pastor, spiritual advisor, and/or a doctor or licensed psychologist that you are comfortable with in order to have a support group that you can turn to whenever your thoughts turn to suicide.  Know that your severe pain and lowered quality of life are not your fault.  My thoughts and my heart go out to you if you are severely depressed or even suicidal. 

http://health.learninginfo.org/interstitial-cystitis-symptoms.htm