So I’ve been struggling with depression for 14 years and my friend thinks that’s a long time. I agree it is a long time but it’s also not something that just disappears one day. What I was told by many psychologists and psychiatrists was that it’s a lifetime project learning how to cope and handle situations.
Is this correct? Or am I missing something?
How long have you guys been struggling?
Hi, it is common for family members to not fully understand different depressions. A depression can be triggered by an event and can resolve over time. Another kind of depression is the chemical imbalance in the body which can be a lifetime condition. Treatment resistance can occur too. This mental health illness can be a lifetime of management as it comes and goes towards recovery then relapsing.
I guess what I am saying is own the type of depression you experience and learn as much as you can so that you be prepared to explain what depression is and what you need from partner to support you.
A suggestion is to take the person to an appointment for the purpose of having a mental health professional making the explanation. Hearing information from someone other than yourself can be a circuit breaker. Most of the mental health support sites have information specially designed for family and friends which might be useful.
Thank you !
I have the chemical imbalance depression. I tried asking my friend to come to meetings with me and she refuses.
Mental health is a continuum, on one side your mentally well but on the other you are unwell and life situations and stresses tip your balance. So it is something can go on a long time and you can move up and down that continuum. Its about finding ways of managing with coping skills, these dont happen over night. Aslong as you keep going to get towards a a balance you are doing well 
I think people thinks its easy to get better but its not as everyone is different and are individuals, the MIND website is a good resource your friend could look at
Thank you!
Sometimes I wish she would take the time to understand it. She refuses to look at websites or learn about it which is fine but than she will bash my doctor saying how they aren’t helping bc I’m still depressed or the doctors don’t do anything except take your money.
Or she will say medications don’t work.
I know my doctor is helping bc I always feel a bit better after
Some people just dont understand i dont think, its nice to talk to people like on here who do understand what it feels like, depression doesnt just go away with doctors and medication it takes internal work aswell so by just seeing a doctor it isnt going to cure it is it. Well the only thing you can do it encourage her to look at resources. Do you have other friends that understand? That they could talk to her and explain? Xx
More than 2 years, considering it's the end of my life(((
Nooooooo not the end!
You can do this! I’m struggling too, it’s hard but if I can do it so can you!!
I hope soooooo. It's to hard
I understand. I totally get it. You can always talk to me if you want. I could use a friend.
Yes, please, happy to
Off and on my entire life, but none of my episodes has ever lasted as long as this one, going on 10 yrs.
Wow. I’m sorry :/ My hardest part of it is people don’t understand why and it makes me angry.
I’ve had depression on and off since my late 20’s... I’ve been struggling with a major debilitating episode for a year. Reading this post woke me up that this is going to be a life long struggle from here on.... I can’t function normally in area of my life.
🥺 I’m sorry.
Depression
Depression and loneliness
Depression
depression 
Depression 
