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How do you know when depression is really gone?

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Depression
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Posted 4/25/2007 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
I've been taking meds for a little less than a month, and I'm actually feeling almost like myself. I went a whole two weeks without being depressed, or having any depressed feelings. But then one day some little thing happens that sends me into a deep dark feeling and it lasted for a couple of days. I know that if you go months without feeling depressed, that would be considered not being depressed, but it'll always come back it seems. Does it ever end? I'm feeling fine now, but what will keep depression from coming back the next day or a week later?

froggy
Posted 4/26/2007 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Froggy
Have you went into counseling yet? I have probably said this a million times lol,but It took me awhile to realize that before I was able to get better I had to face what triggered the depression. And that took counseling.
I myself am still struggling with it,and have very bad days. But,I know what triggers it and I try very hard to overcome it.
Give your meds another month too...if you do not feel relief from them,then you might need to make a trip back to the doctor.
And finding someone to talk to about what is going on inside. Meds can only help with the symptoms of depression,they are not a cure.


Shy
Posted 4/26/2007 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hiya, I agree I think you need to visit a councillor! Just say to your Doc and I'm sure he'll be able to help!

As far as I know meds don't make depression 'go away' as such, they just help you cope a bit better and the councillor helps get to the bottom of the problems and help sort them. But as the meds are just kind of covering up the bad feelings etc, the can an do come back in spells. I myself havn't had a great experience with meds so far I've been on one kind and I stopped taking them as I didn't feel much of a difference and my doc won't give me any other kind. But me I have spells of good feelings but they don't last long and the bad ones come back.

Its a weird situation, I don't really understand it fully myself, but I will give you all the info i have,

Chin up :D

Posted 4/27/2007 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Froggy -

Cure name! I'm in a simillar situation. I've been on an anti-depressant now for about a month and it's been working really well. During my last therapy session, it was suggested that I may have to stay on medications for a while, since it seems to always lurk right under the surface like the Lockness Monster. At first I was frustrated, annoyed, and upset. But, when I cooled down and rationally analyzed the situation I realized that if I went to my doctor for any other problem I would take the medication as directed without a second thought. Why is it different for depression? I mean all the "reasons" running through my head couldn't be rationalized (I should be able to handle this myself, I should be able to just "snap out" of it, maybe I really am insane if I have to rely on medications to keep me sane.) When in fact it truly is a chemical imbalance that I have no control over. In fact when I went to see my doctor earlier this week (she's been keeping a close eye on me to make sure everything is working out) I told her that "I'm starting to feel normal again!" She thought that we were on the right track, so we agreed on a 3-month prescription with the understanding that I would call if I started to feel bad again, and if everything continues to go well we'll discuss if I should continue it for the next 6 months to a year. So now, I figure why shouldn't I do everything possible to continue to feel well, especially one that is as easy as taking one pill every morning.
Posted 4/27/2007 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi froggy

For me it takes about 6 - 8 weeks before the meds finally take effect properly..counselling helps sort out the stuff we have been carrying around with us for ages and haven't realised - it can teach us new skills for coping with life..doesn't work for everyone, but it certainly did for me :-)

Maree

Posted 4/27/2007 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hey froggy, there are many people who have depression that can control it without medications.  I think it all depends on the person, living situation, type of depression they have perhaps.  For me I have had Major Depression for as long as I can remember (I am 33 yrs old).  I have been on one kind of an antid or another for about 15 yrs.  During that time I have gone off my meds and managed to stay off for only about a year before my depression got bad enuf to have to force me to go back on them.  Now I have sadsong's opinion (as she posted here) and know I will be taking them for the rest of my life.

I do think it is important to note though that Depression is a medical illness and a chemical imbalance in the brain.  For some people there just isnt anyway for them to control it on their own with the aid of medicaiton. 

Posted 5/1/2007 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Grr! I had a great week and the feeling just had to come back and ruin my concentration on one of my biggest tests! I got a D on it when I should have gotten an A! I knew all of it, and when I looked back, it almost looked as if someone had taken my paper and changed it to all the wrong answers. But this time it was really wierd when I was feeling all depressed during my exam, It seemed as though I had lost all brain fuction. I couldn't feel my hands or my head for that matter, and for some odd reason, I couldn't read. As if I had forgotten how to say words. It felt like I knew how to say them, but it was on the tip of my tongue and my vision was all wacked out. I'm really considering going to the doctors, but for some odd reason, I feel as if I don't really need to. Oh I feel awful today!

froggy.
Posted 5/1/2007 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on antidepressants for over 10 years.BUT It still rears it's ugly head from time to time.I either read or watch TV,or got out & pull weeds..........lol
Posted 5/2/2007 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Froggy -

Please don't dispair!  I had something similar happen to me when I took my GRE's.  I opened my test and completely forgot how to read!  Pretty scary - I thought "how in the world am I ever going to get to grad school if I couldn't remember how to read!"  But, to tell you the truth it all worked out.  I think I just over reacted from all of the pressure of trying to do well on a single test in order to get into a good school.  In fact, come to find out grad schools don't even weigh GRE's that heavily since it is just one test on a single day.  So, please keep your head up!  Talk to your teacher and do try to schedule an appointment.  Nobody should have to feel terrible all day, when all it would take is a short chat with a doctor!    :) 

Posted 5/3/2007 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
It's wierd because I don't think it was because I wanted so badly to do well that I fried my brain. The same exact thing happened a few times more when I wasn't in a stressful environment. i was just reading. I don't know if I should go talk to my doc or not. I don't want to go for him to just tell me that that is what depression sometimes do.

froggy
Posted 5/3/2007 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
You need to talk to your doctor Froggy.
He needs to know everything that is going on with you,how else is he going to treat you properly?


Shy
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