Hi All

It's been a while since I last posted.
I was very depressed, suicidal & not responding to meds for almost 2 years.

With the love of my family and wonderful support from the mental health professionals who saved my life, I am now almost completely well.

This doesn't mean I don't have bad days, but the danger of me doing something disastrous has passed foe a while now.

Why am I posting this?
Just to say I realise now one thing I did not appreciate, I was unwell. Depression is an illness and not a fault.
I cannot even begin to understand how bad I was now, how hopeless it was. How endless.

But, there is an end to depression, it will lift. You will become well and whole again. I'm living proof.
I have been working again and have even passed some long-standing exams. If you said that to me 6 months ago, I would not have believed it.

The only good thing, to come out is that I had to change my perceptions & reactions to my world. This is still a learning process. I appreciate my life and my world in a new way now.
Take care and thank you to everyone who supported me in these forums.
-jj

Well done, am really pleased to hear things have been going well for you and congratulations on passing your exams. Am glad to hear you're positivity, thanks for sharing this with us.

Claire

It's good to hear that you are coping. Little steps. Enjoy! Congratulations on the Exam too ........

jj,
I too have recovered from Depression. It took me about 5 yrs. I reinforce my wellness by volunteering to help others, which in turn helps me. I have replaced negative habits with positive ones. I am happy to hear you have recovered from Depression and I hope you have a happy life!
Thanks,
Doug

Maybe I'll take up some volunteering too

how have you got better?

mimimimi13,
I have recovered from depression, by faithfully attending all my Therapy appointments, volunteering to help at a local Senior Center for the past 6 years and walking every day. I no longer take any meds, volunteering helps keep my mind off myself and walking helps my mind and body.
Doug

Just to offer some more encouragement. I have been off my meds (under the supervision of the doc) for well over a year now. I am doing well. Like others have said, you do still have bad days, but I can handle them at this point. I keep a close watch on my moods, I won't let myself slip as far as I was before without seeking treatment, but at the moment I consider myself "cured" whatever that means.

This place (and the now defunct chat) was a significant source of strength and encouragement during that hard time. I hope everyone gets better, and even if you have to stay on the meds to do so, don't give up hope.

Hi, I just started meds for anxiety and depression after much hesitation. Looking back, I think I was in denial for some time that my condition was more than just stress and added commitments. I now realise that I've been in a negative spiral for a while now.

I'm determined to get better and to feel like my old self again. I'm just not sure how to do so. I suppose that consulting the dr and starting on medication is a start.

I'm encouraged to hear success stories and people who have stepped out of this and regained their old lives. I do hope that those who have recovered will continue to share your experience to give us hope and something to work towards.

Thanks for posting this. You give me hope :)

Its very nice to hear that someone has succeeded. I pray that all others who suffer from depression will find their way into the sunlight as well.

Blessings,

Des

Sure is encouraging to hear there's light at the end of the tunnel. It's just a matter of finding it.

Thanks for sharing your success story.

It's nice to hear something positive can come out of this.
You give me hope.
Thank you.
And keep up the wonderful work!

Thank you. I copied your post and put it on my desktop. I am very depressed and just got my meds increased today from my doctor. She is getting me in touch with a psychiatrist and I am determined to beat this thing. Life shouldn't be a chore, I know that or a routine day in and out with everything having a negative connotation. I am so glad that you are well and hope that sometime in the future I can come back and tell you how happy I am as well.

Wow, that's really made me feel happy. Let me share something else. Since I last posted, I have had a family illness and now may lose my job. This should have been enough to send me back into the dark room that I inhabited.
But it has not. I'm amazed at how I am coping, by not denying the issues or that they are painful enough for a well person, let alone a recovering depressed person, but understanding that there are things I can control, things I cannot. Those I cannot must be left to play out, with my input, i.e. caring for the ill member of my family, providing love. Also starting to look around for other jobs, whilst accepting that this one will most likely end.
I've stopped fighting life and am starting to go with the flow a little, life is good as a passenger as you can see the scenery better.
Take care -jj

It isn't easy and it isn't quick, so please understand this happened slowly and is still a learning process.

With love from my family
With support from the health professionals.
With time.
With acceptance that Depression was my own minds way of telling me I needed to change, that it was fed up with the existing ways I approached life's problems.

I learned to listen to my emotions more, understand the rational logical and emotional person I am.

I went to group therapy, which was the turnaround for me.
I took various meds and listened to my mind's reactions to each, settling upon a good combination.

All of the above. Sounds impossible??? Even when I read it back myself, it looks impossible, but it's achievable step by step.
Take care-jj

you are an inspiration. I think I'm stepping at the same road. it's a long one, but rewarding!

hugs,
soleil