Aaron, I know how you feel. I'm 30 and I feel the same - what is there to live for? I get really depressed at times that I just wish I'd never been born at all. It seems like life is just one long road of suffering with very very few happy moments along the way. I am really lonely and don't know what I would do without the internet, honestly. I don't cope well in social situations so have very few friends and I don't see them very much as they work etc.

But I do think that the anxiety from the mercury contributes to me feeling this way because it's known to cause depression, sometimes severe depression.

Looking at things logically, there is plenty to live for. 42 isn't old. You're still able to get married, if you want, and father a child, if you want. In that way men have an advantage over women in that their fertility lasts longer. There is no age limit on happiness. And you know what they say, life begins at 40!

I do think that how much we enjoy this life comes down to our attitudes towards things and to people. I am very introverted, very shy in public (I'm ok emailing on the internet), have pretty low-self-esteem, and feelings of being really ugly and unattractive. I really battle these all the time. But, I don't have to look at myself this way, and maybe when I've had the fillings changed and on detox, my attitudes will change and I'll feel more positive about life in general and my own worth.

In the meantime I try to think what I can do for others in some small way, like charity support and things like that. Have you ever thought about getting a pet? Having an animal to care about might give you something to focus on. People who have pets are said to be happier.