For those who have overcome depression?

Question

How did you do it? Did you use medication, or therapy? What helped the most for you? How long did it take you? And how are you now? Do you still have reoccurring episodes from time to time, or are they completly nonexistant now (other than normal feelings of sadness from time to time, of course)? What was the defining moment when you knew for sure that you were cured? Thank you. :)

Answer 1

Medication for me. I am actually well-adjusted, my brain just gets screwy sometimes.

I know when I'm past it by how I feel. It's almost like a "Hey I remember what this used to feel like"

Mine is recurring and probably will be all my life because it is chemical. I could stay on meds indefinately but I choose to go off them then back on when I need to. I have had to change meds each time because the old ones don't work.

Answer 2

about 5 years ago, I started to fall into a really depressive episode. At first I thought it was only because I had a bad break from a relationship but the feelings wouldn't go away even after I got a new girlfriend. It was wrecking my life until a point where it was seriously affecting my work and personal life.

She was very worried but at the same time couldn't understand why I was still sad and thought that I still couldn't let go of my previous relationship. Being the wonderful person that she is, she put aside her feelings and suggested I go for psychiatric evaluation. Many months later and even more anti-depressants, I was not coming close to being better at all.

After doing some research online, I found out the real cause as you described it really makes a lot of sense and purchased this program. The results were simply astonishing. I read this book over three times and put all words in action. Using this method, I've kept my depression at bay ever since. Up to date I'm still living happily with my girlfriend.

Depression Free Method?

Answer 3

When I was diagnosed with depression, I was young and impressionable. I was 11. I had a severe addiction to self injury, and many of the doctors I was taken to, thought that I was incurable. At the age of 14, I seen a doctor that actually took me and my family seriously, his diagnosis: Bipolar Disorder. I dont' believe that I have Bipolar, but I do still have reoccuring episodes. What made me get through the depression, was seriously putting others before me. By doing this I seen how others have bigger problems than mine. I was on several different medications but they didn't do anything for me. Some made me more depressed, some made me suicidal, and some made me feel like a robot. My defining moment just happened to be when I was trying to cut myself. I tried so hard to rake that blade across my arm, but no matter how much I tried to hurt myself, I couldn't. There, I promised myself that I would do anything in my power to help others in the same predicaments I was in. In reality, no body ever really gets over depression, with out medication, anyone could have reoccuring episodes. I'm still suffering from it, but everyday things happen to get a little bit better day by day.

Take Care, Hope this helped

Answer 4

As a healthcare provider I can tell you that there is a depression that is related to stress from circumstances in life that resolves when stress levels decrease.
However, with alot of people depression has a genetic component and is a lifelong disease due to a chemical imbalance in the brain as we understand it currently. Medication can correct the imbalance and depression can be controlled, not cured. It is stable and a good life can be gained as long as the right medications are taken regularly. Depression is not a personality flaw or due to something in you 'not being good enough'. It's not that 'if I was a stronger person I could lick this". It is no more able to be 'cured' by 'trying harder' than diabetes or heart disease. As a professional it took me a long time to admit that I have this illness and need regular medication and care. I medically care for a multitude of patients of my own.....I know I have an illness that I will always have. But just as I tell my patients.....we are blessed that now we have the resources to deal with illnesses that even twenty years ago we could not...and many suffered. The help is there....just reach for it.

Answer 5

I was depressed for 2 and a half years. I did not take medication because I was pregnant and then nursing. I knew I was over it when I woke up one morning happy and smiling and then I realized I wasn't depressed anymore. It's been 12 years since then and I have never been depressed again. I did not take medication or have therapy.

The way I overcame it was a combination of things. This is what I did: took long walks in the woods, I listened to upbeat music and sang, I forced myself to smile. I just kept going and was as positive as I could be. I would say encouraging things to myself. I also prayed and asked my husband and friends to pray for me. It wasn't easy, but it can be done. I never even considered therapy at the time, but I think it is a good idea. I have heard a lot of people have been helped with medication, so I wouldn't discourage anyone from taking it.

Answer 6

I really don't think you're ever cured, unfortunately. I've been on and off meds for almost 8 years now and I have great times and I have bad times. The key is not to necessarily cure your depression, like you'd cure an infection, but to find a way to maximize the good feelings, whether through medication, therapy, lifestyle, or a combination. I have had times when I thought I was cured. But sooner or later it comes back. Good luck!!

Answer 7

I have dealt with clinical depression now for over thirty years. A combination of medication and therapy got me out of the suicidal stage, and ongoing medication and therapy, got me to where I could reduce (but not eliminate) my medication doseage. I am currently working with a new program, and have high hopes that perhaps with it, I will no longer require medications either. Clinical depression however, is not a disease, so there is no cure. The apparent causes of clinical depression are many and varied so it is more of a symptom than a diagnosis, imho. I have come to believe that much of clinical depression is habitual thought, and when you manage to break that habit, you are well on your way to feeling a great deal better. There is of course more to it, but the brain is a delicate mechanism, and it would seem to me, very easy to put off balance. Re-establishing that balance is the primary and most urgent need, so modern medicine uses medications and therapy as needed to improve the ability to think clearly and modify emotional reactions to the result of clear thinking. Still, the base or root causes of depression and how to find and treat those is STILL not well understood, tho' there is ground breaking research and treatment underway that gives me great hopes for the future.

Answer 8

Medication mostly (celexa and welbutrin).
Talk therapy also helps, but I haven't gone in a while as I needed a break.
Working out does help improve my mood, as does having a hobbie or two.

My brain is also defective so will likely always stay on meds. Tried to go off them a couple times but have wound back on them.

I have figured out that denial is not just a river in Egypt. Admitting you have a problem and need help is a huge step in the right direction.

I still have down moments now and then. I know just to not do anything stupid and it shall pass. An occasional drink helps to let me relax and not care for a bit.

Answer 9

First of all, the defining moment that I knew I was "cured" was when other people started mentioning that they had seen a change in me. I was able to concentrate, able to work and able to face life day to day without this ominous feeling of dread. Another point I would like to make is that when I felt "cured" I stopped taking the medication and it wasn't long before I was in another crisis. If you go on the web (Yahoo) and search :"The Last Temptation of George Petrie" you can read about my downward spiral. I though I was way too intelligent to have depression and convinced myself that I did not need any medications. Oh well.....I finally realized how wrong I was and I take my Prozac every day without fail. best wishes to you

Answer 10

Well I am young so I am still getting over it. I found that therapy and friends were the best thing for me. With medication I seemed to get bad depression drops and would cry for hours. I had it bad but i have improved already in about 2 years still working on it though. depression is something its hard to get rid of and most likely won't get rid of. the horses, dance, and my music were truthfully my cure. finding something you love always helps. when sad things happen i notice that i do get down but i know i am better then before because i can regain myself faster then i used to. that is when you know your getting over your depression. since i am only a teen this may not help you but i really hope it does.