Rodney

I've never been diagnosed with depression, but I have been known to grind to a halt and stop functioning when there aren't enough people around, no set function for me to do, and no clear path ahead or out of this situation. People who _aren't_ diagnosed with depression often get into this state between jobs. I been there -- sleeping 'till 11, watching lots of daytime TV, not getting out of the house until 4 pm, and then just to buy something and come back.

You need a place to "go to work" at, even if it isn't paying you. And it's best if it's something that you can see being of benefit. Volunteer work is okay, but see if your local employment service offers job clubs. These are places where people who've been out of work for a while meet regularly for weeks -- sometimes as long as necessary -- in a support group, get help defining what they can do, advice on what employers are looking for, dry-run interviews and advice, and so on. And people share job tips with each other. I've never been in one, but I know plenty who have, and they really give you the support and the will to carry on; and eventually, if you keep trying, you eventually get something. If you're applying for work and people keep passing you over, you may be doing something (or not doing something) that American employers don't react to well. In a job club, you meet with interviewing and recruiting people who'll evaluate your style and tell you how to adjust it.

Check with the employment service where you are and see if they've got something like this. You're in Texas, not known for social services, but I would bet that they have this. If they do, it's ongoing and free (they may ask you to put in a couple of volunteer hours helping with the program, maybe not) you can probably join up right away. I highly recommend it.