Deperssion?

Question

Has anyone out there ever suffered from depression, and if so, How did you discover you were suffering from it and can it ever be defeated?

Thanx for all the answers

Answer 1

Yes, I've had it. In my case it was situational, meaning it was due to the fact that my life basically sucked. I know other people whose depression has been chemical (brain isn't working right) or due to meds (chemo).

I don't think that we know we're depressed until after we look back on our life, and realize that we were depressed. We just know that we're unhappy. And, looking back we can see certain behaviors that happen when we're depressed (sometimes relating to sex, or "wrong" behavior, or alcohol, etc).

Part of what depression does is make you think that this will never end, and there is no hope. Yes, it certainly can be defeated. There are three ways that it needs to be defeated, and IMHO you need all 3:

1. Therapy. Depression makes any life issue you've got a lot worse, so you need to address those. Worse yet, those life issues are probably contributing to your depression.

2. Meds. You might need some meds. As others will tell you, they aren't perfect. They have side-effects, and sometimes they don't work. However, they might buy you some time if you're in situational depression, and will address chemical depression.

3. Healthy lifestyle. Exercise burns off stress, anxiety and depression. When you exercise, powerful drugs called "endorphines" are released by the body. Marathon runners are basically endorphine junkies -- they are THAT powerful.

Answer 2

Hello, my name is Philip - I haven't been suffered from dep. yet. Still i hope to help you with this toughts.

If you hvae been diagnosed with depression, you may wonder why it had to happen to you. There is a fact: anyone can get depression. Like any serious medical condition, depression needs to be treated.Depression is not something you can just switch off. It's caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals, along with other factors.

Major depressive disorder, commonly referred to as "depression," can severely disrupt your life, affecting your appetite, sleep, work, and relationships.

The symptoms that help a doctor identify depression include:

* constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension
* decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies
* loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity
* a change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain
* a change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
* restlessness or feeling slowed down
* decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate
* feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
* thoughts of suicide or death

If you are experiencing any or several of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about whether you are suffering from depression.

Realize...Diagnose...Treat...Feel better.

Best regards, P

Answer 3

I currently suffer from depression. Not everybody has the same symptoms when they suffer from it. The symptoms can include, sleep problems, weight problems, withdrawal from your normal activities, tearfulness for no apparent reason. These are just a few. If you feel you are depressed go to your gp. It may take time but depression CAN be defeated. Although I'm not quite there myself, members of my family who have been depressed HAVE defeated it. I wish you good luck and please see your gp.

Answer 4

My therapist told me for nearly 9 months that she thought I was depressed. Until I crashed & burned up I thought I was holding my own. Silly me.
Once I went down I realized that I had been in a cycle of depression for a really long time. Sometimes I was really bad & other times I did do ok.

I actually went and got the book "10 days to better self esteme" and that is my savior. Sounds funny I realize, except that I have told about 3 of my clients (Im a Massage Therapist) who suffer from depression as well, and every single one of us came back from that wicked abyss with the help of that book.
Its written by a shrink - its Really, Truly helpful!! It worked better that med's for all of us.

Answer 5

It is really hard at 1st to know.ultimatly if you remain unsatisfied and unhappy whilst everything in your life is really good them u may have it.

there are about 8 syptoms like:

sleeping too much or too little

appetite being too much or too little

constant depressing thoughts including self harming and or suicide (although that is at the extreme end)

over anaysis of small issues (thats what I had)

leading to constant internalysing of thoughts and issues (this is mild shitzophrenia (when you can turn it off or there is a running commentry in your head of what your doing)

anti depressants are good they do work. but short term eat alot of fresh salmon and oily fish and consume omega oil pills, tghey are a natural antidepressant

speak to a doctor.

It may cure other issues that may have seemed unrelated including.

I dont think most people question whether they are depressive unless they are to some extent, cos its not a conclusion most people jump to, I think more people have it than realise and for me anti d's didnt make me happy like I hoped, just level and took away the mental anguish and over-internalising

good luck, (search up depression symptoms and see if they mach with what you have.

Answer 6

Yes, I have suffered from bouts of depression, and have not done so now for years. Check out with the Doctor if it is circumstancial or clinical depression which you are suffering from. May be some counselling will help. Yes it can be defeated.
My advice to you is to seek help

Answer 7

Was manic depressive when I was eighteen and tried to end it all numerous times,aspirin overdose,wrist slashing,stabbing,the last time stabbed myself in the stomach and barely survived.Dr told me and the caring nursing staff the only one to decide was myself.
I swore I would never let myself get so low again,Spent 6 months in hospital and another 6 recuperating,decided I needed a goal to aim for so joined the ambulance service,loved the job,never looked back,got married to a nurse,had two wonderful children and now a grandson i doat on,its taken a lot to admit to this on here but it goes to show you can master your own feelings. So get up and do something like me and you will make it.God Bless and be strong.

Answer 8

Real depression prevents the sufferer from knowing they have it .
It's usually family and friends that bring it to the attention of a doctor .
doctors can help with medication in the short term but the medication can become the problem in the long term .

If you or a friend feel the need medication ask a doctors advice but be certain to tell him that you would like a date entered into your records stating when he should start weaning you of medication because all to often they just don't bother .

IT CAN BE BEATEN !

Answer 9

hi their i have suffered depression for some years . i discovered i got by seeing my GP and told all i was doing is crying and not sleeping or eating very much .he asked me what was going on in my life and about my past . i told some of it the first time i see him .and more the next time it took me some time to put my trust in him. talking dos help . i still have alto of bad days . i just take ea sh day as it comes

Answer 10

i have been for the last 20 years with that panic attacks for 5 years and self mutilation for 15 years well i was diagnosed with it because i could not ever seem to feel happy no matter what i did for defeating it i don't think so