Do people really get over depression?

[hucklebuck]

Do people really get over depression forever? Because I've been through this 4 times now, each time getting better for only a few months, then going back to the same old crap.

 

I've been to (free) counsellers, been on anti depressants, I am looking into seeing a psychologist now.

 

So does anyone really get over it for life? Or is it something you have to live with forever? Because I'm really tired of going through this every year and was wondering what has worked for other people.

[quankanne]

when was the last time you had a physical? Have you been under a lot of stress lately? Sometimes depression is the way a person's body copes with an illness, esp. a chronic one, and sometimes it's due to a chemical imbalance that he or she pretty much is born with.

 

the anti-depressants you've been on: are you using them as directed, or do you quit taking them once you start feeling "better"? Or, have you just not found the one that works best for your system?

 

are you taking care of your body otherwise? Getting a decent amount of rest? Eating properly? Exercising? Sometimes when those elements get out of whack, it's enough to trigger a depression.

 

other than being diabetic and overweight, I really hadn't had problems until I ran myself ragged trying to get home to my parents more often than my body could handle it. My doctor recommended B-12 vitamins, then shots; that didn't help because the feeling of being underwater, separated from everything and everyone but still interacting with them had intensified. Then he put me on Wellbutrin, and I'm glad to say that I'm pretty near back to where I was three years ago, before the stress of dealing with my mother's health problems and caring for my dad began setting in. I think it's also helped that I'm finally on a regular exercise regimen, too (water aerobics three times a week). I have setbacks – most recently trying to deal with the effect of Katrina even though I live in the next state over and way up the road from S. Louisiana – but I've got a better sense of how to deal with them because the medication is doing what it needs to be doing.

 

do yourself a favor and go to the doctor to get bloodwork done. There might be a medical basis to your depression that can be treated to help alleviate your psychological response to it.

[suegail]

I was just reading some research done on depression and researchers compared responses to anti-depressant drugs vs omega 3 oils which are found in oily fish, such as tuna and salmon, and what they found is that the omega 3 works very well for depression. There is the essential oil in the fish which the brain can get from no other source apparently and I think they stated it works like seratonin. Also, these omega 3 foods increase blood circulation which also helps the heart and brain, which makes sense...more blood pumping to the brain means increased levels of oxygen flowing through the vessels which serve the brain.

 

If you can't hack eating salmon or tuna every week you might try omega 3 pills and I think they do make salmon oil pills. You might try it and see if it's of any help.

 

Yes, I believe you can recover from depression. I think many people have. I hope you find the answers you need...

 

God Bless...

[HokeyReligions]

There are different types of depression. For many it is a chronic physical illness that needs to be managed for life. It is never 'cured'. Sometimes it takes years for doctors to find the treatment that will work for each individual so that it can be managed.

 

Chronic depression is far different than feeling depressed about an event or series of events. A chronic depressive can be managing that depression and still become depressed about specific events, but it is not the same as the illness and is often addressed separtely but in conjunction with the chronic depression.

 

Most people don't understand the differences and tend to brush off a chronic illness with a "get over it already" attitude--which does not help!

[Tamrick]

I certainly hope so and I have to believe that I can get over depression. I first got depressed in 1999, recovered reasonably only to become highly depressed in 2001 - this lasted til 2003 and I was on a variety of medications. I am still on anti depressants and afraid to stop them, but I really want to cause one day I'd like children and I don't think the meds I am on are safe when you are pregnant. In the last two years I have been much happier. I do get sad, but sadness and depression are not the same - depressions signs last at least two weeks and are excessive - at one stage I lost 10kgs in 3 weeks and slept one hour a night. Now I can cope with life and do not fall apart at the slighteset thing.

 

For my own health I must believe that depression can be beaten. I think I am on that road now.

[whichwayisup]

I think it depends on type of depression. Mental illness isn't curable - but with the help of medication and therapy, depression can be controlled. It won't go away and as long as the person who is suffering accepts this and deals with it head on, it will make it easier.

 

Situational depression, either from something current or from the past is harder because it can come out of nowhere. Again, with the help of meds and therapy I believe people can work through it.

 

For me, I'm starting to realize that I don't have depression, I just have the anxiety disorder. I probably suffer from SAD and get down once in a while, but I won't allow myself to wallow in anything. I hate feeling down, I hate the isolation and I fight it hard. Yeah I have some rough days but I always know once they disappear, I feel so much better because I got through it.

 

For anybody else who could be suffering from depression and/or panic attacks, the best thing you can do for yourself is TALK about it. I suffered quietly for nearly 2 years before I was able to discuss it with anybody. Don't try going at it alone. If you can, also, join health websites that specialize in whatever it is you have. Trust me on this one, people DO help and make a difference.

[NewLee40]

Depression can be managed and even be cured. What you need to know is that statistically, if you've suffered an episode of major depression in your lifetime, then you are much more likely to relapse at a later time.

 

I have been diagnosed with chronic dysthmic disorder with episodes of major depression. Basically this means, I suffer from chronic low grade depression interspersed with episodes of major depression.

 

I have tried every antidepressant on the market, and nothing helps. I have had much greater success in managing my own depression with a combination of diet, exercise, getting plenty of good rest, and a concentrated effort to change my thinking patterns that lead to depression. As for the latter, a book that really turned it around for me was "Undoing Depression" by Richard O'Connor. I highly recommend it.

 

I'm in a rather low period right now because I'm grieving over a significant breakup that has brought on a lot of issues from my past abusive marriage, and has generally wreaked havoc on my self esteem. However, I am managing it better than I would have in the past and I think I will avoid a major depression over it.

 

Here's a few recommendations that worked for me:

 

1. Find out what is wrong with you physically that may be leading to your depression. There are many physiological things that can lead to depression and unfortunately psychologists and psychiatrists tend to go the easy route with drugs. For me, there were two major problems that needed to be dealt with before I could seriously begin recovery 1. Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea that was seriously interfering with my ability to get good sleep, and 2. Dietary changes needed to deal with an ailment I have called Polycystic Ovarian syndrome. Once I dealt with these two things, I felt lots better and was able to do the other thigns that helped me take other necessary steps. I had to look long and hard to find a psychiatrist that was willing to help me explore the physical aspect of it, but she nailed it.

 

2. I walk every day in the first morning light. This has been shown to go a long way towards alleviating depression. This not only helped me for stress relief and to lose needed weight, but lifted my depression. There's lots of info on the net about morning light and depression and I'm a believer.

 

3. Therapy/reading. As I mentioned, O'Connor's book helped me a great deal. I've read every book imaginable on depression and his did me the most good. If you have suffered from any kind of abuse, physical, sexual or emotional you may also try a therapy called EMDR (google it) It has been proven especially helpful for victims of trauma. I did it, and it really precipitated all the other changes in my life that lead to where I am now - which is a pretty good place.

 

While I wouldn't say I"m "cured" of depression, I have gone 4 years without a single major depressive episode. That's pretty good.

 

Good luck to you. PM me if you need someone to talk to.

[Juliet2]

It will sometimes run its course without treatment but quite often it will return. I really feel it is genetic. You can go online to get plenty of info on depression. There are many types of anti-depressants.. you should keep experimenting to find out what works for you.

[duskydawn]

It will sometimes run its course without treatment but quite often it will return. I really feel it is genetic. You can go online to get plenty of info on depression. There are many types of anti-depressants.. you should keep experimenting to find out what works for you.

Regardless of whether one really ever gets over it or not....the important thing is to make the days between the episodes as fruitful as possible....take care of yourself, find a good doctor, take your medications, observe your health, sleep, diet, drink enough water, exercise, reach out to people (which you are doing)....PUT YOURSELF FIRST.....Acknowlege what you are feeling and that this is related hormone imbalance or present circumstances or whatever your case may be...then ask yourself positive "How do I get over this..." questions....your subconscious mind will try to find answers to question you ask yourself....when you're not feeling so blue...make up a list of goals...however big or small...this gives you...something to work towards, look forward to...when you're down....

[helena abadi]

if depressive episodes keep happening, you are right to wonder if this is going to happen forever, and if people ever get over it. reoccurring depression is a bitch. british prime minister winston churchill called it ''the black dog on my back''.

 

in some families it is genetic, or it can be caused by traumatic events, originally, and then any major upset in your life may trigger another episode.

 

i'm not sure it can be cured, but it can be managed. and full marks to the person who said they hadn't had an episode for four years. that's fantastic!! gold medal!

 

looking after your life carefully is key.

 

it took me a very long time, but i am finally managing it, thanks to a wise counsellor. i recently learned to identify the triggers, and have a check list of symptoms and a set of guidelines to follow to avoid falling into the snake pit. adequate exercise, steering clear of too much alcohol etc, a healthy diet, adequate social contact, among other things.

 

it is important to catch the beast early, because in full-blown depression, the thought of exercise gets too hard, for example. the lethargy sets in and just getting thru the day is about all i can manage. i become very withdrawn.

 

i'm not taking antidepressants. i only have once, and they did help a lot. but the side-effects were unpleasant so i chose to stop. and i didn't want to keep taking pills for a long time. preferred non-chemical solutions.

[Forever Searching]

I don't mean to hyjack this threat to the original author, so my apologies, just didn't want to start a new on cause my question kind of goes in with the replies of this one.

 

I have suffered depression and mood disorder since I can remember even being a child. Where I grew up we really didn't have too may availiable doctors around to help with these situatuions. In my late teens early twenties I started taking prozac which make me feel invinvible and I did a lot of crazy death defying stuff lol while taking it. Then I was put on paxil and was fine but I wasn't seeing a therapist at the time which is propabably what I needed to control what I was feeling on the paxil.. The paxil did make me suicideal and irrate at times and I wold lash out at people close to me.

 

I got off Paxil and went on Wellbutrin for about 6 months and then stopped taking them. I was doing farily good, keeping busy had a routine started feeling better about myself because I was working out regarly and then.

 

I recently moved a little over a year and a half ago. I moved 10 miles away from my family down south from up north. I was find at first but lm starting to notice that things are getting bad. I can't sleep so therefor it's messing up my work and reguarl life. I don't have the energy to work out and feel good about myself and so I'm gaining weight which makes me feel even worse. I know I need to find a doctor that can help me. But what kind

A Psychiatrist? can they run for medical tests and blood work to get to the bottom of what my problem is? I don't want to live like this anymore. I feel like my whole life is out of whack and I'm the type that needs routine to feel content. The sleeping is really taking its' toll. I'm tired all the time which makes me even more depressed cause I don't have the energy to work out and keep my weight off.

 

ugggg! I'm so scared!!! I also have probles with Self Injury at times as well.

 

Sorry again for hyjacking the threaed, if anyone feels it needs to be moved it's ok. Thanks!!!

[Not_Over]

. My doctor recommended B-12 vitamins

do yourself a favor and go to the doctor to get bloodwork done. There might be a medical basis to your depression that can be treated to help alleviate your psychological response to it.

 

"YES" do this. And I mean Do This!!

 

I took B-12,B-6 , folic acid for 2 weeks. 2 sets everyday. moening and after diner

 

A solid diet. ( starts slow with no apetite but gets easier. You may have to push yourself a little.)

 

No Caffine.

No sugar. ( I mean like Pop, anything that is sugar based.)

 

To stay safe ( self opinion here) I've only been drinking decaff coffee in the mornings and water the rest of the day.

 

After 2 weeks of total devotion to this I felt like a brand new man.

ambition started to come back. A clear head. appitite. The wjhole 9 yards.

After a month now, Im still doing the same thing ( still scared to start anything new just yet) and everyday I feel better inside.

[Jayhawks]

HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED

 

Depressive disorders make one feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these negative views are part of the depression and typically do not accurately reflect the actual circumstances. Negative thinking fades as treatment begins to take effect. In the meantime:

 

Set realistic goals in light of the depression and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility.

Break large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as you can.

Try to be with other people and to confide in someone; it is usually better than being alone and secretive.

Participate in activities that may make you feel better.

Mild exercise, going to a movie, a ballgame, or participating in religious, social, or other activities may help.

Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better takes time.

It is advisable to postpone important decisions until the depression has lifted. Before deciding to make a significant transition—change jobs, get married or divorced—discuss it with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation.

People rarely "snap out of" a depression. But they can feel a little better day-by-day.

Remember, positive thinking will replace the negative thinking that is part of the depression and will disappear as your depression responds to treatment.

Let your family and friends help you.

[d'Arthez]

The above (Jayhawks) can be read on:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm

with additional information on depression too.

[Michael86]

I've been suffering for depression for many years. I wish I can tell you it's something you get over. Maybe it's different for some people but for me it will be something I'll have to deal with for the rest of my life. But I've been able to control it for several years at a time with the help of medication. Unfortunately, recently I've relapsed and I'm trying to climb my way out of this black hole. My medication was raised so hopefully that will work.

 

Jayhawks - that was an excellent post!

 

Michael

[bunnzy]

Depression is not something you 'get over'

 

It is a mental illness when you blow events out of proportion, and cannot collate your thoughts, reactions and feelings. What you need is cognitive behavioural therapy. That is what worked for me. As well as consistent medication. Ask your counsellors for ways to change your thought patterns so when you get upset or down, you can pull back and objectively say to yourself 'stop, its not worth getting upset about' and think rationally again. It may feel detached the first few times, and i still have down periods, usually around that time of the month!, but on the whole i am the happiest i have ever been.

 

I hope this helps

[Michael86]

Depression is not something you 'get over'

 

It is a mental illness when you blow events out of proportion, and cannot collate your thoughts, reactions and feelings. What you need is cognitive behavioural therapy. That is what worked for me. As well as consistent medication. Ask your counsellors for ways to change your thought patterns so when you get upset or down, you can pull back and objectively say to yourself 'stop, its not worth getting upset about' and think rationally again. It may feel detached the first few times, and i still have down periods, usually around that time of the month!, but on the whole i am the happiest i have ever been.

 

I hope this helps

 

Bunnzy - Your post hit home. I'm curious...... How do you change these thought patterns?

[helena abadi]

according to my new dr/naturopath, people suffering from depression are deficient in serotonin levels. serotonin is essential for a feeling of well-being. i just started (today) taking a natural product called 5-htp. it is a metabolite of l-tryptophan, an essential amino acid involved in serotonin production. it may start working today, or at the maximum, 10 days. my dr says 85 percent of people who take this feel beneficial effects - ranging from fantastic to mildly improved. i will update soon. one of the worst parts about depression is negative thinking and blowing things out of proportion. therapy is one of the best options to changing these negative thought patterns into positive. finding the right therapist is a challenge - i really think one of those never-ending analysts that keep you locked in for 10 years and suck your finances dry should be avoided at all costs!!

[bunnzy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_behavioural_therapy

 

There is a book too, but i have drawn a blank on what it is called... i'll have a look around and get back to you on that.

I remembered its Burns, David D. Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy

[Michael86]

according to my new dr/naturopath, people suffering from depression are deficient in serotonin levels. serotonin is essential for a feeling of well-being. i just started (today) taking a natural product called 5-htp. it is a metabolite of l-tryptophan, an essential amino acid involved in serotonin production. it may start working today, or at the maximum, 10 days. my dr says 85 percent of people who take this feel beneficial effects - ranging from fantastic to mildly improved. i will update soon. one of the worst parts about depression is negative thinking and blowing things out of proportion. therapy is one of the best options to changing these negative thought patterns into positive. finding the right therapist is a challenge - i really think one of those never-ending analysts that keep you locked in for 10 years and suck your finances dry should be avoided at all costs!!

 

I've heard alot about 5-htp and I'm very tempted to try it. But I'm hesitant since I've read where you shouldn't mix it with antidepressants (I'm on Lexapro and Wellbutrin).

 

Question for anyone.....I'm looking around for a therapist and as Helena said, it's a challenge finding the right one. Does anyone have any opinions on what's preferable....psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker?

 

Michael

[BrainRightHeartWrong]

yes you can recover from depression, to some degree or another,

 

i was very depressed lying in bed all day for six months after a series of bad crap that happened to me, yesterday I had a relapse because I am either broken up or have gf problems, i buried a friend who commited suicide last week so this is affecting me, hopefully temporarily as I have become a lot better, this week i can't feel i can work or do other stuff but hopefully i'll be OK in a few days and be back to normal

 

i took ad's but i believe they just made me vomit and I think my brain just cured itself in the end

 

i got cbt and am right now trying to use the experience to make myself feel better, in the past i blamed myself for everything and beat myself up, i remember my therapist saying 'stop that' there are enough people around to do that for you!

[Forever Searching]

I recently moved a little over a year and a half ago. I moved 10 hours away from my family down south from up north. I was find at first but lm starting to notice that things are getting bad. I can't sleep so therefor it's messing up my work and reguarl life. I don't have the energy to work out and feel good about myself and so I'm gaining weight which makes me feel even worse. I know I need to find a doctor that can help me. But what kind

A Psychiatrist? can they run for medical tests and blood work to get to the bottom of what my problem is? I don't want to live like this anymore. I feel like my whole life is out of whack and I'm the type that needs routine to feel content. The sleeping is really taking its' toll. I'm tired all the time which makes me even more depressed cause I don't have the energy to work out and keep my weight off.

 

ugggg! I'm so scared!!! I also have probles with Self Injury at times as well.

 

Sorry again for hyjacking the threaed, if anyone feels it needs to be moved it's ok. Thanks!!!

 

I said originnaly i mosed 10 miles. lol. I meant 10 hours..I've been doing better with Effexor cause it's helped contrl the eating binges. And Last week I started going back to the gym at least 3 times a week which helped relieve any stress but still having trouble either getting to sleep or staying to sleep in the night. Think I might pick up the v vitamins. I have.. I already take folic acid everyday.

 

This is a good post and thank you for everyone that has responded to it recently.

[helena abadi]

yes, it has been a good post. hope you will continue to feel better. sorry to hear about the sleeping problem. have you tried listening to a relaxation tape in bed? depression tends to be a subject people don't like admitting to, or discussing. it is chronic for many sufferers, which makes careful management crucial, and it's so easy to spiral out of control. it also appears that what worked several years ago, might not work today, which is frustrating. the 5-htp has made a difference to me.

[Brittany powers]

It's crazy how i can relate to feeling exactally how you feel. Im 14 years old and I do believe that anyone can get over dipression its all up to you if you want to or not. Just remember no matter what. As hard as life seems, never give up on yourself. your worth it and theres no one else in the world like you. I know that i dont know you or any thing but I know how it feels to feel like your trapped in a dark hole and how it feels like no one cares for you,

but you gotta think possitive. eat right and excersize. it relaxes the body and mind. Remember that you are special and unique. and there will never be another you. Its all up to you if you wanna be happy. I wish you the best of luck!! ..

[cassielingerie]

Hi. I had postnatal depression, and then depression due to traumatic event in my life, depression lasted for 12 years. I had pyschiatrists, counsellors, art therapy, group therapy, I had been on every anitdepressant you can think of, eventually I was given over the dose I should have taken by a pyschiatrist and was so spaced out couldn't do a dam thing. I decided one day I wasn't going to let it beat me. At first, I needed the tablets to get my head in to the state where I could calm down enough to get back to some sort of normality, and until I was strong enough to think of what I needed for myself. I then, (and I don't say do this,) I then weaned myself off of the antidepressants over a period of about eight months, I was on three, so took 2 and a half for three months, then took it down half a tablet when I felt I could cope. I in the mean time began walking, I also have M.E so have trouble walking anyway but I started off with a few minutes walking, or as far as I could, and over the next few months went further, little by little. The exercise seems to calm me down, and helps to relax. If I start feeling low, no matter how bad I feel, once I'm out, and walking, I feel so much better when I get back. I also so no to people, they get abit of a shock at first, but I do not push myself beyond what I am capable of doing. It is not being selfish, it is having time to relax, and get your energy back so you can enjoy life better. If you keep pushing yourself you're no good to anybody, so in the long run, it is better alround to switch off.

I've been off antidepressants for three years, and use exercise, and rest, and switching off from stressful situations to give me time to not build up the stress, but to manage it. Work is also a major stress factor. I wish you luck. All best.