Do you know anyone who has overcome a long depression?

Question

thanks

Answer 1

I was depressed for about a year and 4 months, and I think I still might be.

I don't know how I overcame it...or how I will.

I guess time is the biggest factor here.

Answer 2

I have had depression for over 12 years.  I learned to deal with it through a combo of proper medication (type and dosage level), learning coping skills, learning my personal triggers warning signs and behaviors, finding a solid support system and refusing to give up.

Now I am happy, happily married, just finished my bachelor's degree and am starting my masters degree in a field that I love.  It is a consistent struggle, but it is also a struggle that I am consistently winning.  It takes a lot of hard work but it is worth it to not feel like c**p every day like I used to.

Answer 3

A year and 4 months isnt a long depression. Ten years is a long depression. I know a girl who has had depression for 11 or 12 years, she is getting better now but is still not even 100%. I have heard of people who have fully recovered but no I dont know anybody personally

Answer 4

Sure, I have pretty much overcome long-standing depression.

So how did I do it?

First, I had to recognize that it was not something I could just cope with. I had to face the problem head on, and actually do something about it. I had to take more responsibility for my own life, in other words.

I did go to various therapists, and they have helped, some more than others. I also took antidepressants (Prozac, then Remeron), which helped quite a bit.

I tried to improve my network of social support. I consciously tried to reach out to people and if the person and the situation were right, lean on them a little (I have a hard time doing that).

And I did a little work on myself. There is a great book called Mind Over Mood. It is a workbook that helps you figure out which thoughts trigger your particularly intense feelings. The idea is that your thoughts can affect your mood, so by making sure your thoughts are sort of reasonable and realistic, you can make sure you moods are too. The book is a great way of uncovering your secret anger or fear or pain. Here is a link to it on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Over-Mood-Cha...

I have found that after using it a few times, I don't need the book as much. I can usually figure out if I am actually angry or afraid or whatever, deep down, and that really helps me get a grip on my feelings.

Overcoming my depression was not a fast process, and there were setbacks and relapses. But eventually I did. I still keep an eye on myself to keep myself from starting to slide back down. It is surprisingly easy to start creeping into negative thoughts and behavior.

So if I were going to recommend a course of action for somebody else who had long-standing depression, I would suggest they do what I did, but also a few other things.

I know people have had luck with regular exercise, particularly with an exercise buddy. It doesn't have to be intense or about losing weight or anything. Just going for a walk works, apparently. I didn't do that because of some other health issues, but I know it has helped other people with depression.

I would also suggest group therapy. The idea is that the entire group shares with each other and supports each other and help each other recover. It is possibly more effective than individual therapy, and it is usually cheaper. And for people who are fairly isolated by nature (like me), it can be a way to stretch themselves a little.

About developing a social network, there are all sorts of ways to do that (besides going to group therapy.) You can join a singing group, or volunteer at a museum, or meet people to play bridge regularly.

Another very helpful thing is to volunteer somewhere and do some good deeds. Knowing you are doing something worthwhile, out of your own generosity, really feels good. You feel better about yourself, and rightly so. And you are less focused on yourself. Actually, I did volunteer, not so much to help me with depression but for other reasons, and it really did help. In fact it led to a career change for me.

I would at least be open to trying an antidepressant. They have amazing drugs nowadays that are very safe and have few side effects. They don't make you feel dopey or strange. For me it was like somebody had pulled up the window shades. The world was literally brighter. You have to be patient though, because they might take a while to work, and sometimes you have to try a few different drugs to find the right one.

I for one don't feel funny about taking a drug for depression. For me it is no different than taking medication for diabetes or asthma (which I have.) If it helps, and if the negatives (like cost or side effects) aren't excessive, then go for it, in my view.

And if you don't already have one, I would recommend getting a pet, or even a few house plants. Taking care of something, especially something as loving and accepting as a dog or cat, makes you feel good, relieves stress, and keeps you from being too lonely, and those are all good things.

It is also helpful to read a little about depression, just so you feel more in control. Knowledge is power, you know!

Lastly, I would also say that in order to get better, you have to commit yourself to change. You have to be ready to change some habits and change some thinking. Often people don't really want to change their thinking, even when it is really messing them up. I know I didn't. But it is your life, and you don't do anybody any favors by being miserable forever.

Recovering from depression takes work. It takes effort, courage, and a little discipline. Recovery is not something somebody can do to you, while you sit there passively. You have to work. It isn't fair, especially since depression takes away your energy, your optimism, and your openness, which is exactly what you need to get better. But that's the reality.

And you have to do it. And you have to keep slogging

Answer 5

this blog might help, good luck

http://icancontrolpeople.blogspot.com/

Answer 6

i have had it for as long as i can remember (im 18 btw). i was diagnosed with severe to extreme depression. but i dident ever take the pills they prescribed. and ive never once been to a shrink.

i dident overcome it etc. etc. its part of who i am. i dont beg for attention. i dont whine to people.  i isolated myself. being alone is the best thing for me. its not the "alone" like highschool emo ****. its like my room is mine and only mine and its completely safe. i build things in it i watch tv video games and etc. i dont think im ever going to "overcome" my depression" but i really dont want to. it makes me feel human.

-edit- heh it appears that my situation is completely opposite from the person's above me.