Can depression be overcome after years without treatment?
I’ve been experiencing depression from a very young age. I’ve received therapy on two occasions, but stopped shortly after for various reasons.
I’m in college now and after years of trying to manage this on my own, the situation appears to have worsened. I have little drive or desire to go on. Life seems pointless and, though I don’t want to, I can’t help but consider letting go.
Thank you all for sharing. You’re answers were truly appreciated.
Posted in depression cognitive
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January 23rd, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Depends on the severity and the cause but it can, it’s just very difficult doing it alone. I know the feeling, for me I hit rock bottom and from there, there was no where else to go but up. I just got sick of feeling down and decided to reinvent myself. For me the cause was acne which eventually led me to lose my self-esteem and slowly everything else. I still feel down sometimes but it’s getting better. Talk to someone, if you’re hard-pressed see why you feel depressed and see what you can do about it. When you’re depressed you can never see past today and it seems pointless but you’ve got to somehow realize what’s happening and snap out of it.
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:32 pm
yes, I am 50 and have had it for years. get on the right medicine and get some kind of therapy—add me and lets stay in touch—-I am not TOO creepy either–lol
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:32 pm
It seems like you’ve probably already tried getting over it on your own. Since that hasn’t worked for you, why not try seeking treatment? If therapy isn’t your preferred option, then why not see a psychiatrist about medication. Actually, a combination of medication and therapy seems to be the most effective.
Please do not harm yourself. If your life is in danger, go to the hospital immediately. Depression is a medical problem and you can treat it as such.
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Well, it’s possible, but in many cases unlikely, especially with the way you’ve described your situation. Don’t gamble with your happiness and safety - if you can get help, go for it.. I’ve been there.. =) Admitting you need help is half the battle.
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:32 pm
clinical depression only responds to treatment. it’s a chemical imbalance, not just a state of mind. prozac works wonders. get yourself to a therapist before you end up hurting yourself…and a lot of other people in the process…like i did. good luck!
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Hello!
The answer is yes you can get help, but you need to get the proper medication, and the right doctor also helps alot too!
God bless you
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:32 pm
oh noo! poor thing!
well, at least you are not worse off than I was at the exact same period of life.
1)elementary school; highschool : manic depressive/anti social
2) college: anti social; majorly depressed (bipolar) tried meds
3)unemployed, hating life; had the love of my life reject me after a blissful two or three months thinking I found the perfect girl who loved me.
4) joined the army; major suffering; lost faith in god; tried to commit suicide; discharged from army
I had a best friend who helped me with that last stage I listed. Whenever I would freak out he would come and sit with me. I never had anything to say. He just talked about whatever came to mind until I said I was okay.
Finally I decided I had to do it on my own because I knew he had his life. His wife was dropping hints that she wanted to get married, plus I hated being so helpless whenever the depression hit me.
I had to get to know myself. Why I was depressed; When was it likely to get worse; How I could change my life to ease the suffering when it did come, but to proactively find ways to keep it from happening often.
First step was changing diet. I don’t know how bad yours might be, but I was pretty much only eating fast food and junk food. When I realized how much of that was NOT food, but just sugar and crap, plus the fact that I was already chemically imbalanced, it was pretty clear that I was hurting myself in that category. (Used to eat a pack of chewy chips ahoy in one hour- and I wasn’t even high!)
Next was physical activity. The body responds to the messages we send it. When you droop your head and sag your shoulders, it sends you chemicals. If you smile rather than frown, it sends you endorphins:
http://www.amusingfacts.com/facts/Detail/smile-endorphins.html
Sitting up straight, etc. I am still practicing the body postures of a person who is healthy, happy, proud and excited to be alive and constantly noticing the improvement.
I use Yoga (strange for a straight guy, I know, but it’s good stuff!) Jogging, Kick-boxing, and weight lifting as well- but be careful because, since you’re chemically imbalanced, you have to replace the vitamins and minerals the body uses as fuel. I’ve put myself into a deeper funk trying to exercise my way OUT of one several times because I forget to eat my raw vegetables and fruit, get enough protein.
Drink lots of water. Drink lots of water. Drink lots of water. (If you’re compulsive, just read that once, because a girl has overdosed on water before on the news, but normally people don’t drink half as much as they should)
Get yourself into a habit of sleeping the same time, the same way, and separated from stressful elements that remind you of work and drama and the like.
Forgive yourself constantly. Remind yourself that you knew it wasn’t going to be perfect, whatever you were trying to do. It’s that you tried to do it that counts. Learn from everything and improve little by little. If you eat a donut today, doesn’t mean you might as well buy a lifetime supply. A beer doesn’t mean you might as well drink yourself to death. A cigarrette doesn’t mean you’ll never quit. Notice whatever unhealthy things you do and don’t worry about why you do them, just make a note that it’s happening and it needs to stop. When it starts again, stop it again. It’s not going to be perfect, but it’ll get better and better.
The best news? I’m much less prone to depression today at 36 than I was in the Army at 24 and so much less manic than I was at 16, and it seems to get smoother and smoother.. sadly, my libido is smoothing out as well:) it’s all chemicals and the body is trying to balance it out. That’s called maturing into adulthood. Painful process, I know, but enjoy the ride!
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:32 pm
of course you can get better. TAlk to your dr about meds.
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:32 pm
i really feel bad for you. depression is a barrier for your development. here you’ve been experiencing depression from a very young age. you took therapy on two occasions, even then you didn’t overcome. now, i can suggest you very different treatment which can help you. you can try "The Silva Method", it can help you to overcome depression. you can get details ,http://www.silvamethod.com
just to inform you, I’m a Silva graduate from Bangladesh. i got same problem like you.
basically it can help you. …. be lucky