Originally Posted by
JohnPainter 
a lot of dependent people (alcoholics and addicts) confuse their extremely destructive 'self-centeredness' with 'depression'. I know I have. if I can't get the immediate gratification of what I want, I get 'depressed'. it's really nothing more than a pity party in the hopes that someone will feel sorry for me. then, I can take that person hostage and use them to make me 'feel better'. it's very sick, and also very common. it is one of the underlying conditions of almost every dependent person, which is why programs that actually work stress the importance of:
1. facing and admitting our deep, dark motives and inclinations
2. resisting the impulse to seek immediate gratification
3. surrendering to a set of ideals, or principles, that are NOT inherently selfish
4. continue on this course as a way of life
if you try doing these things for a full year and find you are still depressed, you might have a problem besides your dependency; in which case you might do what a healthy person would do: seek a professional diagnosis.
So you're saying he should be depressed for a year, to wait to find out if he's actually depressed?
Sounds like you're saying it's a good idea for his possible depression to untreated for a whole year in the off-chance he's just being 'self-centered' and having a 'pity party' as you put it. Not a good idea.
Mikey, glad you came here to let us know how you're feeling. I've kinda been there too, it's not very nice I know.
Try to get down to a docs as soon as you can to explain how you're feeling. Depression is a very common, and very treatable illness these days - your doctor will know what is best. Plus, we're here on the forum if you need to talk about stuff or just vent. Wishing you all the best.