The doctor gave me the medicine every day. to relieve depression and to sleep and every time I see the doctor Every time I get more pills, as the doctor says my symptoms are starting to get better, is that true?
Can we really recover from depression? - Anxiety and Depre...
Can we really recover from depression?
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supanarapan
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Get a second opinion ask for another doctor
There is no cure for long term depression, which is thought to be genetic. But there is short term circumstantial depression that many experience from a death, a trauma, or other loss. In those cases where someone isn't predisposed to depression, often people can recover within months or a few years. But long term depression is a chemical imbalance that does require long term management. There is no one size fits all kind of care, and often depression can be exacerbated by mental injury such as childhood trauma, PTSD, or other life-changing experiences. Some people are medication resistant, and some have to go through a variation of medication to find one that works best for them, and it's difficult because it usually takes a couple of weeks for an SSRI to work. There is no quick fix, it's a lifelong thing until someone can genetically fix our chromosomes, which many would probably not want done. But we can live with depression and not let it define us, we just have to accept it's part of who we are and try to find coping mechanisms, good support, and constructive outlets. Some days are just crap, but it's cyclical for most, we also have good days.
Many people said I looked better. look happier with life I know they hope But why do I feel bad? I don't want to meet anyone I don't want to be a burden on my family.
You just have to be honest and up front with your family, a loving family would learn to understand that your moods are not personal, it's just part of the disease. You didn't choose this or do anything to deserve this, and you are just navigating how to cope with it and live with it. But explain that your just going to have bad days and they don't have to feel guilty, or responsible, and they can't 'fix' you, just be understanding and be there for you while you go through it. Depression is what it is, there doesn't have to be a reason for it, that's a myth, it's chemical, and that you can only slightly control some of the symptoms through the right medication, but even then it's not a cure.
fauxartist Long term depression is not settled science so we don’t even know if it can be cured or what cured even means.
Major Depression and Genetics
How common is major depression? At least 10% of people in the U.S. will experience major depressive disorder at some point in their lives. Two times as many women as men experience major depression.
How do we know that genes play a role in causing depression? Scientists look at patterns of illness in families to estimate their “heritability,” or roughly what percentage of their cause is due to genes. To do this we find people with the disease who have a twin, and then find out whether the twin is also ill. Identical (monozygotic) twins share 100% of their genes, while non-identical (“fraternal” or dizygotic) twins share 50% of their genes. If genes are part of the cause, we expect a patient’s identical twin to have a much higher risk of disease than a patient’s non-identical twin. That is the case for major depression. Heritability is probably 40-50%, and might be higher for severe depression.
This could mean that in most cases of depression, around 50% of the cause is genetic, and around 50% is unrelated to genes (psychological or physical factors). Or it could mean that in some cases, the tendency to become depressed is almost completely genetic, and in other cases it is not really genetic at all. We don’t know the answer yet.
We can also look at adoption studies, to see whether an adopted person’s risk of depression is greater if a biological parent had depression. This also seems to be the case.
What about non-genetic factors? There are probably many non-genetic factors that increase risk of depression, many of which are probably not yet known. Severe childhood physical or sexual abuse, childhood emotional and physical neglect, and severe life stress are probably all risk factors. Losing a parent early in life probably also increases risk to some extent.
If someone has a family history of depression, are they at very high risk? If someone has a parent or sibling with major depression, that person probably has a 2 or 3 times greater risk of developing depression compared with the average person (or around 20-30% instead of 10%).
The situation is a little different if the parent or sibling has had depression more than once (“recurrent depression”), and if the depression started relatively early in life (childhood, teens or twenties). This form of depression is less common – the exact percentage of the population is not known, but is probably around 3-5%. But the siblings and children of people with this form of depression probably develop it at a rate that is 4 or 5 times greater than the average person.
Is there a “depression gene”? Some diseases are caused by a single defective gene. Cystic fibrosis, several kinds of muscular dystrophy, and Huntington’s disease are examples. These are usually rare diseases. But many common disorders like depression, diabetes and high blood pressure are also influenced by genes. In these disorders, there seem to be combinations of genetic changes that predispose some people to become ill. We don’t yet know how many genes are involved in depression, but it is very doubtful that any one gene causes depression in any large number of people.
So no one simply “inherits” depression from their mother or father. Each person inherits a unique combination of genes from their mother and father, and certain combinations can predispose to a particular illness.
How are major depression and bipolar disorder related? Most people who suffer from depression do not have episodes of mania. We use the term major depression for depression without mania. Most people who experience mania also have major depression. We use the term bipolar disorder (or manic-depression) for this pattern. Major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are the two “major mood disorders.” For more information on the symptoms of mania abd bipolar disorder, see the links at the bottom of this page. Most people with major depression do not have close relatives with bipolar disorder, but the relatives of people with bipolar disorder are at increased risk of both major depression and bipolar disorder.
What about major depression and anxiety disorders? There are probably genetic changes that can increase the predisposition to both major depression and to certain anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and social phobia. Also, some people have a more general lifelong tendency to experience unpleasant emotions and anxiety in response to stress. Psychologists use terms like “neuroticism” and “negative affectivity” to refer to this tendency, and people who have it are also more likely to experience major depression.
However, many people who develop major depression did not have this type of personality before their depression started.
This page was written by:
Douglas F. Levinson, M.D.
Walter E. Nichols, M.D., Professor in the School of Medicine
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Stanford
No where does he use an absolute and science has to be repeatable. Why on earth would you tell anyone they are doomed to a life of depression? How do you separate environmental impact with genetics? Why do they have to “guess” on which meds if they “know”. I’ve been called an alcoholic and doomed to AA/abating for the rest of my life because it is “genetic” and my cousin and arguably aunt are. I haven’t looked like an alcoholic for years. Decades. I think the science has changed too. Italian would not be the same without 🍷! There are scientists who don’t even buy the chemical imbalance theory. I believe Sweden used other ways before meds successfully. To doom anyone to a life of meds is grossly irresponsible. Thankfully there is science (repeatable) behind yoga/exercise and meditation and the effects of shame and many other holistic methods. Many if not most societies do not use meds to the extent we do. Mental illness is not less prevalent.
The beauty of posting or commenting is you take what you need and leave the rest. Not everything has to be an argument or a debate. Opinions are like butts, most everyone has one...
Great answer. Perhaps use “I think” more often. Especially when giving someone misinformation.
Wait, what does an alcoholic look like?
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They have a big 'A' tattooed on their forehead...haaaaa. Only one like myself in recovery could get away with that one... that's the most idiotic thing I've heard so far... Honesty goes a longer way than denial.... and knowledge is power.
Sometimes people just argue because it's their only way to feel they have some sort of control in their lives. A healthy discussion is productive, and there are ways to agree to disagree diplomatically. It's exhausting trying to deal with someone who just wants to argue for sport. Usually I just ignore them.
I def agree on just ignoring someone pushing an argument. I read through this conversation but honesty the alcoholic remark stopped me in my tracks.
What does an alcoholic look like? A doctor? A lawyer? A pilot? A housewife? A homeless person? A teacher?
Need I go on?
Oh faux.... the world is just so messed up.
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I know pal...I think there is a lot going on in the world that is messed up, but all we can do is support each other through the storm's...sadly much of the turmoil is due to stupidity... common sense and empathy go a long way.
Agree
By looked like I was referring to behavior not appearance. I went through a period where I drank and smoked a lot daily. To many people that “looks like an alcoholic”. Clear enough?
Thank you for clarifying. I was confused because we can't judge a book by it's cover.
You missed the point and made it at the same time! Brilliant!
Yes I missed your point.
I agree I am very smart. I didn't get the lingo. Someone else explained to me, If you are an alcoholic recovered or active you look like an alcoholic because that's what you are. That made sense to me.
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My friend ... this is some home truth for those who don't want to get it.
Some people prefer to ignore the science and believe what they say because they say it, rather than have any data to back it up, and then again, some people just feel they have to be right, no matter what just to be argumentative. Everyone can make their own conclusions, but at least get the facts first. Do what works best for you, not because someone told you to.
Just a footnote of some misinformation given, from those of us who do know:
No one looks like an alcoholic.... and the point is... you either are or you are not. It's a disease, just like chronic depression, you don't get over it...and instead of guessing, get diagnosed. You don't just magically stop being an alcoholic because you quit drinking... you will always be an alcoholic, but if you don't get help with your negative and caustic attitude, many dry drunks continue to have in sobriety...you will just be another dry drunk curmudgeon.
Thanks faux. Yes the person told me something that I can better explain by saying you look in the mirror and you see an alcoholic because you are an alcoholic. Like Lily says below. Recovered or active you are what you are. I was confused by blueruth's comment but I am smart enough to figure things out.
I've heard this term dry drunk.
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Interestingly, you will hear it said over and over in meetings, 'the smartest thing they ever did was admit they were all alcoholic so that they could get help.' My first sponsor was an anesthesiologist, my second a high ranking office in the military... we come from all walks of life...and no...you cannot spot an alcoholic, most are very good at blending in socially
That was my point. All walks of life. Not always sitting at the bar with a drink.
By the way Dolphin you rare one of the more intelligent and well versed people in medicine I know, and being on the front lines she see first-hand most of what is being discussed here. So yeah...you are very brilliant.
Thank you. I didn't want to pat myself on the back, it's not my nature.
I don't think the word brilliant was used in a very positive manner up above. But that's ok. I know my own truth.
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I look like an alcoholic.
You look like a beagle to me. What does an alcoholic look like. Considering anyone can be an alcoholic and we may not know how can there be a " look"
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Well, all I know about is our secret AA handshake... haaaa... good one Lilly...
They drink a lot. Did you miss the part about behavior. The phrase works for that too.
I feel like you are talking down to me. If so please stop.
Many of your comments were joking on me. this thread is too long now anyway.
Yes... the personal comments made directly to you Dolphin14 were condescending, and you were right to say something... when I read caustic and condescending comments to my friends... it stops. This false sense of self-importance and lack of respect for you in every comment made to you by a member who enjoys naming and shaming should be reported... and if the thread is too long for this member who believes they have some sort of authority here... then they can simply stop commenting and move on.
Thank you faux. It is a bit much to read condescending remarks. I grew up that way, don't need a verbal lashing here.
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me too honey.... I was always given critiqued caustic comments on every thing I said, how I spoke, grammar corrected, walking, sitting, eating, dressing...we certainly don't need that crap here. ... have a mellow day my friend.
How do you feel? I know society treats the symptoms not the root cause. I’m starting to think that depression is repressed anger. At the time we didn’t tell the people who hurt us they hurt us! We were young or scared or confused. Now that I’m older 62! I let people know how I feel! I don’t hurt peoples feelings but if you try to hurt mine I will put you in your place. I’m sorry I went off on a tangent, Talk to your therapist- tell him about your life dont just get medicated!
Yes I read previous post and it is genetic. But environment also plays a large part in helping of hurting and alleviating or prolonging depressive bouts.
My doctor suggested that I try to do meditative activities. Recently, I am building Lego with my grandchildren. Let's see if it helps.
I like the distraction with your grandchildren and the legos. I hope you find som peace in that.
I meditate and do yoga. I love it for my mental health
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I also agree with doing positive activities to encourage the body's natural endorphins, or just things that make you happy. I paint, others do yoga, I love going out to take pictures... all help I think.
I played a Lego game online for a while. It was fun. Maybe you'd enjoy that? I had to quit because I don't know enough about computer boo-boos, but I bet your grandchildren would have no problem at all!
I think mental injury from abuse and trauma play a big part in making our depression worse.
It depend on how you feel as to whether the medication is working. I do believe that it is definitely possible to heal with the right medication and changing your beliefs about depression and self acceptance. Also making sure your thyroid, hormones and adrenals are functioning properly because the cause or contribute to your mood. Eating a healthy diet also helps improve your mood and well being.
Another doctor of mine gave me a proper eating schedule. to maintain the production of good neurotransmitters
Oh my! Is your "proper eating schedule" something you can share?
Completely agree ... hormone imbalance can cause a lot of issues... menopause for one is directly related to hormone imbalance, as is Serotonin connected to depression. Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the endocrine system in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone.
Interesting my clinical depression bout came right after menopause set in along with hypothyroidism. What anxiety and insomnia! Until I crashed into depression. 1o years ago. Wouldn’t wish those feelings on my worst enemy
I started my cluster migraines when my menopause came on, and of course if you already have depression, that swing in hormones is really horrible. It's not talked about much interestingly enough.
In so far as literally everyone deals with depression yes. Depression is a mind body thing so you need to treat it that way. If you break something or have surgery they give you meds to feel better but everyone knows you aren’t going to get better lying in bed! You have to move your body. Some illness causes more work than others. Some years. Rarely is the expectation that the med is a lifetime treatment. Same is true with depression. Relying on meds alone is just leading down a path of constantly having to change them. There is also mind and body work to be done if you want to be “cured”. The body part is obvious. Move more. The mind part is harder but you must start the work if you want improvement. Meds are crutches.
Some people need crutches.
For sure Lily... with proper medical care and monitoring... if you need meds, take them responsibly.... and with profession supervision, ...I do.
Never said they didn’t. It doesn’t need to be a life long treatment for possibly most people however. Quadriplegics still have to learn to use the muscles that are available to them. Perhaps they compensate with their arms. Does your care provider encourage you to learn to walk or do they just write an RX? Is every mental illness equivalent? Do they all deserve the same treatment or outcome?
strongly agree
Meds are a tool in the toolbox for some.
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Once I finally found an SSRI and vit. supplement regiment that worked best for me, it helped considerably with my mood swings. It's irresponsible to tell someone not to take meds if they need them. If I was Bipolar, schizophrenic, had heart disease, seizures, etc....
I would take my meds.
Absolutely. Insulin isn't a crutch so why would an SSRI be a crutch.
Yep... and now even life-saving insulin is barely affordable ...
So true. So many stories about people having to choose between food or insulin. When will this madness stop?
I think this is going to be the new norm my friend... as long as greed and power rule the roost.... we are just chicken feed. We can only advocate by voting, and taking our heads out of the sand. They say an ocean starts with one drop... hopefully people will stop being so apathetic at the polls. We need affordable health care and affordable meds.
Well I'm gonna paint for a while and clear my head, you know the drill my friend.
We should be able to agree that the culture (us idk if uk is as bad) is to throw meds at the problem then tell them it is forever. Or they give you a med that is too addictive as what happened to me. There is definitely an imbalance …of treatment. We need advocates who will encourage a more holistic approach. Do you incorporate a multi prong approach or just rely on meds?
There is no empirical evidence that the SSRI is actually replace something that is missing. They *think * something is related. They know this will probably make you feel better. They don’t know if you are actually missing something. Insulin is not the same. They know what is missing. The equivalent would be that every generic SSRI would work. We wouldn’t need a new kid on the block every few years.
Did I say don’t take meds? No. i said “relying on meds alone”. The greed you speak of are the perdues of the world who want to sell sell sell. There has to be balance. Right now it leans towards meds meds meds. Pharma doesn’t benefit if you learn resilience in therapy. My doctor knows how to balance need vs greed. She would never prescribe without recommending a holistic approach such as therapy, meditation, exercise. Whatever fits. She never lets them buy lunch. Does yours? Do you even know?
How did you find a vitamin supplement regiment that worked for you? Was there a professional you went to for support? I'm lost.
Yeah, actually it was a therapist, my regular doctor, and a few others had been given the same info. Magnesium, and basically a mineral supplement, vit. D, and also a B complex. They help with a good diet, and if you have trouble sleeping which many of us do because our brain doesn't switch off, we ruminate... some take natural herbal tea's chamomile, and also stop any caffeine drinks at around noon or so . But you always have to check with your doctor to be sure your okay to take any supplements at all so there won't be any drug interactions or allergy's. Others say melatonin helps.
I'm sorry. Hope you can fix things. 
I'm 60, unfortunately, and I've had clinical depression as far back as I can remember and diagnosed when I was around 14. I certainly haven't been cured and not sure if it's possible. After many visits to various doctors, psychologists, therapists and psychiatrists and after all kinds of meds, it was affirmed that this is me, this is who I am. Call it whatever you want but for the life of me I can't stop feeling bad unless I'm medicated.
God I hate being this old. I'm fighting it tooth and nail though.
Hey I’m 62! Also on Meds been on for 10 years. Was even more depressed when in the beginning I said when can I come off them and my then Psychiatrist said never because it could prevent my next bout of depression. It was bad my next bout - 2 years ago - but she said this one was situational not clinical - change job and marriage situation and it can be eliminated/ it was. I’m all fir a holistic. Approach but meds can help along with therapy and good eating exercising journaling nature animals non/toxic people and jobs - music art good uplifting literature and films. It’s a whole package! Self care baths showers pedicures manicures window shopping and setting boundaries and letting people you know what you will tolerate and what you won’t. Most depressed people have people in their life who should be in therapy and aren’t!
100%. This. Never say never. I’m not sure they say that anymore because they didn’t have as much evidence about exercise and nutrition and meditation. I’m on a drug at a very low dose and idk what my life would be like with out it because withdrawal is too bad. so now I probably will be on it for life. I know that when I started taking it I didn’t have the tools in my toolbox that I have now and it seems to me the non chemical tools have had a bigger impact on my ability to remain stable. So was that pill for life really necessary? One time I got aceptic meningitis from withdrawal (not voluntary). When I tried to titration I got ridiculous sugar cravings and was too foggy to function… this was an 8th pill reduction. What happens if I don’t have access to that med? There is just never going to be a way to know if I’m on it for life because it helps or I’m on it for life because I’m addicted.
My1998Sunfire, many have black outs, or get so wasted you forget all the things you said drunk, and the next day you find out you might have said things you would never have said sober. If this happens, you may want to consider not drinking, but often you need to find some kind of support that suits you. It's sad all the wreckage of the past so many accumulate from this terrible disease. All the street drugs that are illegal and yet one of the deadliest is in every supermarket, drug store, and corner liquor store.
A few too many for me always loosened my filters to say things I may have normally just not said. It' happens. We cannot take back what we say, only try to make amends.
In response to the original post here, I do believe it's possible to recover from depression, even the chronic or so-called "treatment-resistant" type. I have a hard time with diagnoses that tell us we are doomed for life. I was once told I would need to be on antidepressants for the rest of my life. I refused to accept that sentence. I have been off anxiety and depression medication now for several years.
My belief is, anxiety and depression are caused entirely by the way we think, and how we react to our thoughts and feelings, and therefore can be improved and potentially treated to recovery by changing our reaction to how we feel. I made progress by learning how to face and allow ALL the feelings I was frightened of. Until eventually I lost my fear of them, and they stopped overwhelming me.
Of course, we may always be "predisposed" to anxiety and depression because of our nature and our character, especially if we are sensitive and caring. But once we understand how to respond to those feelings by facing and allowing them, it doesn't overwhelm us any more. We may have some sad or down times still, but they are the normal emotional ups and downs that everyone has, and they lift again.
Just my view on it...
The power of the mind is an amazing thing, and miracles of science have happened, people given terminal diagnosis managing to will themselves to live. So if your able to do that then with your depression, then you are a miracle that has defied science. If you can figure out a way to make this work for the millions who suffer...that would be your thanks for your gift of being cured to share it with them. Best luck with that endeavour.
Thanks. That is exactly what I have dedicated my time to now that I am retired and don't have to work for a living. I know I have been able to help many, and in some small way (along with the improvements in my quality of life) it makes my decades of suffering worthwhile. It gives me purpose.
I believe it is important to focus on what is possible and what we can do to improve our lives, rather than attach to a limiting diagnosis that may not be true. My diagnosis wasn't. Maybe it isn't true for many that have given up hope because someone told them they couldn't get better?
I always say.... we live with our depression, we don't let our depression dictate how we live. I'm happy for your dedication and commitment, but don't dismiss those that cannot handle their depression the way you may be able to. People are all different, and everyone need's to make their own choice's on how to deal with their stuff that works best for them.
I agree completely. I tried many things before I found what worked for me. We are all traveling our own journey, are at different places in life with different experiences and perspectives. We make our own decisions and choices along the way, all of which deserve unconditional acceptance and support. No judgment, no criticism. Just compassion and understanding.
And if we can help each other along the way, then even better.
Lovely....very well said.
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