overcoming depression?

Question

Hi everyone. I have been seeing a psychologist to overcome my depression and anxiety and i have been doing so without meds. just recently he told me I have defeated depression and it was almost magical to hear. I do have a lot of good days I can even go a day now without having nausea but my bad days are horrible. I don't get them all the time but when I do I feel just like I did when I was first diagnosed with depression. is this normal or did I not actually overcome it. I am not sure about how you are supposed to feel when you know that you are doing better but know sure how good you actually are. please help because I am very confused with the whole process. any advice or comments would be great. thanks

I had Clinical depression from delivering a stillborn baby. I have developed social anxiety on top of that which i do think gets in the way of it. I didn't plan on stopping my therapy it just almost sounded to good to be true to hear and than I have my bad days and I just feel like I am back in the same rut I was in

Answer 1

hi tootsierolle
congratulations on being well!
i think your psychologist is right - you have overcome it
because he has seen many people and had more experience.
generally, people don't always feel great all the time and they do feel blue sometimes
so please don't worry
the most important thing is that you feel good
now, you may like to think of how to make yourself feel better when you don't [feel good]
such as do something you enjoy doing
talk with someone you trust/ seek for help
if necessary, you may like to contact your psychologist to talk about this
best wishes

Answer 2

Every patient responds d differently to treatment of this disease. Depends on the circumstances. Situationally induced and heredity are factors.

It sounds like you are doing better - that's wonderful. But, life presents bad days under the best of circumstances. am so glad you are doing better and hope the bad days won't take you so far down

When you say you defeated depression, you kind of make it sound like it is by an act of your will that you can get over it - and that simply is not true. It is a chemical imbalance. Your hormones are probably more stable now and hopefully, you will become more stable with time. One can do some things that help get the chemistry in order, like exercise. Some practitioners want patients to be on medication, because it helps process the counseling so much better. But, each person has to do what works for them. If the bad days are taking you down so far it is unbearable, you might consider some other options. As you know a psychologist cannot prescribe medication, you would have to go to a medical doctor for that. Don't rule it out - a low maintenance dose may stabilize you, which you may be able to wean off of.

Also, it can re-occur so if you are prepared, that helps

Answer 3

My whole dads side of the family is Bi-polar or has really bad depression, Ive had depression my whole life, and been in and out of hospitals and been on numerous medications, Im only 18 but Ive been thought a hell of a time with depression, If you are genetically depressed, you can never overcome depression, you can gain coping skills that make you stronger , and you can be on medication(which helps tremendously.) but there is no such thing as just not being depressed anymore, everyone has good days and everyone has days where they don't feel like being alive.If you are really against being on meds, I would continue going to therapy, stay away from people who trigger your depression, atleast until you can gain better coping skills, and go on walks for like an hour a day, it has helped me sooo much.Its just a natural high, and it helps you sleep better at night.

Answer 4

It is normal to have some depression once in a great while, it's part of life. But...chronic depression will just get worse. You don't sound like you are over it, but no one but a professional can say for sure. It sounds like you may need a second opinion. I have fought depression over the years and when you finally overcome there is a BIG difference. Please, continue to seek help, sometimes it takes a while to find out what will work for you. Some people need medication, even if for a short while, to help overcome it along with psychotherapy. I wish you luck

Answer 5

Thank you for putting your situation into writing so different people can respond to you in Yahoo! Answers. It is a great resource. All kinds of pointers. All I know is that I was in a foul mood a little while ago this evening because my kneecap hurts. I know this is not major psychological stuff, but it still has hurt like the dickens for four days. Ice packs, definitely not in my "comfort zone," and you know, you start to feel depressed or cut off. I called a volunteer at Ingraham Volunteers which is a 24/7 hotline here in Portland, Maine, U.S.A., for just such difficulties. While I was telling the counselor how I felt I suddenly realized I could cancel it. I said so to him. I can just cancel this, can't I? He said, yes, you can. You still have plenty of time to enjoy your evening. The whole Idea of being in that much control of my moods had never occurred to me before, and my God, I am 63 years old! Talk about stuck! So you clearly are making major headway with your own depression, but please do remember you can have a lot of "say" in how much you get pushed around by your moods. A little bit of "pushing back," and you can reclaim your evening. I said to the counselor, this can be a cup of hot tea and a movie instead of the yelling crazies, right? He said yes. Choice. I honestly believe you can step right in and tell your brain please cut this out. I don't have the energy, I'd much rather enjoy my evening with a great movie or just with my feet up and peace in my heart. Enough, already. I know a lot of us feel like when we're depressed we're being dragged along through it and there isn't much we can do, but I have proof this evening you can stop it in its tracks if you just say no sometimes. For me, it is very exhausting to maintain a bad mood. It completely tires me out. I really would much rather be entertained, write something to you like this - anything - but sitting in a funk, or especially on this Fourth of July weekend, I do not want it to turn into "Dark Night of the Soul." I hope if this in some small way helps you get back in the driver's seat again and return to the great headway you have been making with all this yourself, then my little note to you has served its purpose. Sent to you with much love from Chris in South Portland, Maine, U.S.A. (Taking control of things brings immense inner peace of mind.)

Answer 6

your doctor should not of just stopped your sessions without asking you. depression takes time, you will have some good days and bad days that will turn into good months with a bad day. your doctor should of taught you coping skills to deal with the bad days, if not maybe you need to see a different doctor. When you have a bad day there should be a help line in your area you can call and talk to someone. dont do it alone - you dont need to. take all the help you can.

Answer 7

It appears that you may be Bi-Polar. I was misdiagnosed for years with clinical depression. If you often feel elation for no apparent reason, have racing thoughts, have trouble completing tasks it may be the answer.

Answer 8

Its hard to just "get over" depression. Keep talking to your doctor, it can keep getting better.