Does anyone ever actually overcome depression?

Question

I mean without being on medication for years and how is this is done. I've already had therapy on and off over the years. Does life really ever become worth living (i understand the usual ups and downs are okay) when you always seem to encounter the same episodes of despair but with less and less energy to fight them. Thanks in advance for any serious answers

Stories of those who have overcome it (if any) would be welcome

Answer 1

yes - especially if it is a reactive episode.
lots of brisk walking and distraction strategies.

Answer 2

Sadly depression is a chronic and recurrent disorder, and unfortunately the more timesyou relapse, the more likely it is that you will relapse again.

I expect frankly that you already know as many of the 'so called' answers that are available....i don't think anyone has the final conclusive answer, if they did they'd be a millionaire by now!!! All you can do is do your best to keep as mentally healthy as possible and ward off or lessen as many relapses as possible. The ways of doing this are (apparently): eating well (good foods, stay away from alcohol (it's a depressant) or caffeine (it increases anxiety)), regular exercise preferably in the fresh air, meditation, doing 'positive things' and staying away from people that 'bring you down', establishing a good sleep routine (same time going to bed every night and getting up every morning) and counselling to resolve any 'issues' you may have hidden in your mind. If you feel medication helps then continue with that, subject to the advice of your GP/psychiatrist. It is important that you stay on the meds until quite a long time after the depressive episode is over...don't come off too quickly or too early, otherwise you'll just relapse again. That's probably the most common mistake that everyone makes.

I'm sorry i don't have the answer you are looking for, but as I said before, sadly I don't think that answer actually exists (yet!)

take care

Answer 3

Clinical depression isn't lifelong for everybody. Some people have brief episodes and it goes away for good.

My psychatrist said if you've had it for several years it tends to last for life.

I have been diagnosed with two different depressive disorders "Major Depression, Recurrent" and "Dysthymic Disorder." Some psychiatrists call that "double depression."
Dysthymic Disorder is milder than Major Depression, but it never seems to go away completely.

My worst episode was in the early 1980s when I was in my 20s. I got treatment through a medication called Norpramin, and it worked like a miracle. I just took the drug for about a year and the depression didn't come back for several years. I got off the medication and wouldn't need treatment again until about 1993. I had a really unpleasant job situation at that time, and sometimes I wonder if my depression would have been gone for good if it wasn't for that job. The depressive episodes I had since then were never as bad as the first episode in the 80s, but I have been able to manage quite well on medication. Paxil worked the best for me. I have had a few times where I try to get off the medication. It usually lasts a few months and I start feeling bad again.

Answer 4

Of course you can over come depression! I was on 6 different meds for 12 years did ECT therapy which messed me even worse, got over that too. I recently got off all my meds of 12 years and it took some serious withdrawal like a junkie intense pain and itching then leaving a bruise every where I touched, puking allternating with being ravenously hungry. Not sleeping and when I did I had terrifying nightmares and shaking all over inside and out. It was the hardest thing have ever done and I'm not sure if I would have known HOW hard I would have done it. NOw I am working on all the symptons and emotions those meds suppressed all those years ago and that is quite interesting as well. I am determined to become a whole well functioning person that well exceeds even my own expectations in this beauitful life we have been blessed with and I want to live it to the fullest and you can too.

Answer 5

Meditation and daily exercise can really help a lot. I was severely depressed after my mom died and while I was not suicidal, I remember quite vividly flying somewhere for business and hoping the plane would crash to let me out of my misery. I went on a 6-month routine of meds and then went off them.

When I went off them, my depression got worse before it got better. I stayed in therapy (I actually really enjoy therapy!) and I try to meditate 3-5x per week. Exercise really helps too (I'm not so great at that part) but when I do both together, it has a HUGE effect on my inner well-being and I find that I am more outgoing, content, and confident.

Affirmations and self-hypnosis also help. If you don't want to do meds, the best plan is daily meditation, exercise, and therapy combined. Meditation will change your life if you let it--but you have to be patient.

Good luck, and remember--depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain. That's all it is.

Answer 6

Yes people do overcome it. Me - i'm 27. And my......well i've had enough bad stuff happen in my life to last 3 life times. I was on prozac at 13 - tried the suicide malarky couldn't see the point in going on.But i don,t know what happened - i just started to think yeah that was bad............WAS BAD. And i told myself i have no future if i keep on living in the past. Now i'm not saying it happened over night- cause it didn't. I just had to keep telling myself things will get better - They didn't and i hit rock bottom totally(never wanna go there again). So i got up one day - put all my medications in the bin - and i've never looked back that was nearly 2 years ago. You just have to find the right state of mind. When your head is messed up you can't deal with anything. But once you sort that out you can start dealing with your problems head on logically- No matter what gets thrown your way. Its hard but you do get there - if you give yourself a chance

Answer 7

you never really "overcome" depression, you just try and deal with it the best you can. Each individual suffering from depressing has a different lifestyle and responsibilities. I don't have the "energy" to fight certain things like I use to and it makes me mad. There are times when just making a phone call is too much for me. Yes, life is worth living, even though at times it doesn't seem like it. Find something you enjoy doing...help others...confide in a close friend or relative. talk it out.

Answer 8

Have been asking myself this question for a few months now. Had a nervous breakdown 7 months ago. All sorts of poo happened. Feeling better now and am back at work, but I still wake in the morning cursing the day because I am awake again. I do feel better, but the only difference now is I know I wont kill myself-it doesnt stop me wanting to! Am on prozac but I guess ultimately life is like a poo sandwich-the more bread you eat, the less poo you taste! I dont think life does become worth living, but you have to just get on with it, or get off the train. I am amazed though at the energy one human being has. You have the strength, although you may need some help to find it. I really wish you all the luck in the world. Today for me is a good day, the sun is shining, my daughter doesnt hate me, tomorrow may be different. I just have to get on with it, and focus on the good, even if it is outweighed by the bad.

Answer 9

It took me years to overcome depressive feelings and patterns. Too long of a story.

Yes, it is possible but not without a great deal of conviction about being well. Try to get as much balance in your life as possible. Be your own best friend. Encourage yourself when nobody else does it. It's like going to combat every day. Be a survivor. Very Best.

Answer 10

The causes of depression are multifaceted. It could be caused by a trauma, negative perceptions and thoughts, lack of exercise and eating correctly, hormone changes and growth, as well as a general chemical imbalance in the brain. Yes, it is true that drug therapies can assist in moderating or illuminating depressive symptoms but I would suggest to take other approaches to helping yourself before you resort to drug therapy. A simple solution is to start moving your body (exercise); it doesn't have to be intensive...a good walk will do. Make sure you are getting the proper nutrients...eating healthy and/or taking a vitamin supplement if you are not. A visit to a doctor is advised...you can have your blood tested for any imbalance; in example, if you have an iron deficiency, it could cause you to feel tired and you could misinterpret this outgoing situation as depression. If some events in your life has caused this episode of depression, than the help of a social worker or psychologist could be sought. Often times, we need to learn how to cope with our problems in life and/or help ourselves find solutions to improve our emotional/physical state. It's about learning the tools to help yourself never to get that down again. I hope this was helpful to you.

Answer 11

Yes, in fact most people will eventually overcome depression on their own. Many people learn to ride the obstacles without sinking into despair. Enjoy the ups and know that the downs will teach more about life and yourself. If you are always in a slump you need to ask yourself what is going on and what, if anything you are getting from it. I knew a woman who was chronically depressed and it was fed by the enabling of her family and the way others kept her from having to deal with life.