I'm glad they are helping you with your issues.. I have always heard that when you are anxious (especially about things you cannot control) it helps to focus outwards and think about / work on things unrelated to the anxiety. In this case, your focusing on your snakes not only made you realize that you are capable of doing a good job caring for them, but it also meant that during the time you were concentrating on taking care of them, you were spending less mental energy worrying about the negative aspects of your life.
Many years back I would get anxious whenever I thought about my "life goals" and how I wasn't stacking up to them..I had a detailed "map" of where I should be and what I should have accomplished by a certain age (I now realize how silly that was). I would think about not being in a solid relationship or not having a full-time job with good income, or not purchasing a house yet, etc. and just feel like I was a total looser. When that would happen, I would always start cleaning my room, the house, etc. and focusing on that would make me feel a little better in that I could accomplish something of value.
I hope you have good luck in your struggle with depression...I know it is something that cannot be totally overcome, but must be fought one day and one battle at a time. As such, it takes great courage and effort on your part to make the little steps you mentioned.
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