Has anyone truely come out the other side after suffering with severe depression?

[Snowcappedmountains]

Posting here for traffic.

I am in a bad way, a really bad way. I've expressed this to two people that are meant to love and care for me the most but all they have done is get annoyed and frustrated with me. No offer of a hug and no understanding - I feel so unloved.

[Immunity]

Yes but I was in an abusive relationship and that had to end before I felt better

[EnergyCreatesReality]

Yes with medication, it wasn't overnight though, it took me a few years before I felt myself again and strong enough to come off the meds. I've been off them for 6 years now and still have bouts of depression but am able to handle them much better.

I found people were sympathetic initially but quickly changed to frustration that I wasn't "getting over it" quick enough for them. I think it's very difficult for people who haven't suffered from depression to understand how debilitating it is so sending big hugs.

[Fleaminraging]

I have no advice really but just wanted to send hugs and say I'm sorry you're going through this

In my experience the only thing that really helped was medication. Open up to your doctor, try and see a psychiatrist. Whatever you do don't shut yourself away, it will make it all so much harder, even though it's probably all you want to do. Don't be afraid to say if something that doctor has offered isn't helping. Keep talking.

[OfTheNight]

Yes . A few suicide attempts and hospitalisations along the way. I’m not in the greatest place now, but I do know this too shall pass. I know it’s trite, it’s also true. Please speak to your GP. Get help.

[Valenciaoranges]

I’ve suffered since my my teens on and off. Lots of counseling, meds etc. mid 50s now and still on meds, see adult mental health team etc. I hide it very well because I work and I’m not a negative person, I’ve isolated myself from most people because I just can’t deal with life beyond work. I don’t know how I work sometimes, but just keep going until I crash and can’t cope. Every day is a personal battle. I’m so angry, hurt etc by the lack of support from friends etc. I hate every minute of it.

[Bookworm84]

So sorry that you're suffering. I've had 3 bouts of severe depression and I've come out of each one. It can be lonely place can't it. Prozac and CBT really helped me each time. Not on Prozac currently and I've been able to come off it easily each time. I really hope you start to find a way through this. Big hugs.

[Immigrantsong]

OP I am sorry about the way your friends have reacted. Most people find dealing with emotional responses of others very difficult. We I've ina society that lacks emotional intelligence. I am sure you are loved and valued. Are you getting any support from any services? Please reach out to your GP. If you are in a crisis, you can contact first response. There is also my well being college online for support. You can self refer. What can we do to help? We are here for you.

[QueenofSertraline]

Firstly @snowcappedmountains - well done for teaching out on here - I know how hard it is, and I am so sorry to hear you are not getting the support you need.

NC for this - I suffered with major depressive disorder around 20 years ago - 5 suicide attempts and 2 lots of psychiatric hospitalisation. I tried so many different anti-depressants and at one point was going to have ECT. It was the worst time in my life and I truly could not see a way out of it other than death.
I had a partner at the time who would ask me quite regularly when I would get better (like I had a date scheduled in my diary!).
Anyway, I did recover after lots of therapy and counselling, and restarting my life - this included leaving my partner!
Then after I had DS it came back, I tried to ignore it for as long as possible but eventually went to see my GP - after trying several different anti depressants again I saw a psychiatrist and a social worker - for me not my DS and with more therapy and counselling I became well again. I've tried coming off of anti depressants and I think for me, they will probably be something I need to take for the rest of my life.
One of the best therapies I had second time round was CBT - it really helped me to see how I could change the way I think about things which has been a bit of a revolution!
I think that now I am the most positive I have ever been, but I know and accept that I have to watch out for telltale signs that depression could be looming - and then I know I need to be careful about how I think about things and to be really kind to myself.
So, yes it is possible to come out of the other side.
Try to find some support for yourself - be that a counsellor or Mind - they were really helpful for me.
Lots of luck - I promise things will get better

[MrsKin90]

You've had some amazing responses. I work in/around MH and you definitely need to reach out to your GP if you haven't already to get help/get referred to services as appropriate.
You WILL come out the other side of this. Get as much help as you can and be as honest as you can about how you feel.

There are lots of services you can link into to talk in the interim. I won't bore you with them as you might have them but you can Google them easily.

I don't know if this has been said but in regards to people you've told - people who love us often don't know how to react to being told we're depressed/lost/struggling and we end up feeling like they don't care. More often than not it isn't that they don't love us. I'm sure they love you and they want you to be well. It's a scary thing to be told someone is struggling as you feel suddenly responsible and it's hard to know what to do, it makes people feel helpless and sometimes people just don't get it. If they've never felt that way, it's hard for them to relate to. Someone I love once referred to my inability to get off of the floor for three days as 'being moody'. They loved me, they were just ignorant. When you're depressed it's hard to know what you need but if you know a hug would help - try to ask for one. I was stubborn and thought people should just KNOW I needed a hug but people are silly and they panic and they sometimes just need to be told what to do.

Goodluck OP; you can beat this xx

[ShinyS1]

Hi OP...I feel the same way. The people who are supposed to love and care for me the most are the same. I feel unloved too, but I know in my heart that they probably do love me. It's frustrating for them, they wish I was better. I understand that, but they have no real idea of what it's like to live with my mental health issues. They should be thankful everyday that they don't.

This will pass OP, you must hang on to that, as hard as it is right now, and believe me, too many of us know how hard it is.

You will get through it, and you will smile again, and so will I.

[Tappering]

If you haven't already made contact with your local mental health crisis team, then do so. They are really helpful.

[Tappering]

Yes - all of my adult life. Cycles of peaks and troughs. Medication, counselling, CBT and EDMR have really helped. EDMR in particular has been a game-changer. I know my triggers now and am much better at referring myself for help when I feel the start of a downwards spiral.

[Keepgoing88]

I had similar issues when younger. My parents didn't want to know. If you can talk on mumsnet or try to get help through your GP or privately. Some people in life just don't get depression or mental health. My DM is like this and it hurts when youndont have support from those close to you. I've got through my depression with help from a therapist and medication. You will get through it keep trying things and see what works
. I know it's hard without support but you are not alone it's just hard to see that right now I'm sure xxx

[gingganggooleywotsit]

yes with meds and CBT x

[makingmammaries]

Yes. Horrible, lengthy bout that made it impossible for me even to brush my teeth. Recovered thanks to medication and a bit of therapy. There are situations and triggers I avoid, but I’m a very tough cookie these days.

[mumofamenagerie]

I used to believe, wholeheartedly, that I would die by my own hand. It seemed inevitable to me. I had believed that pretty much all my life.

A lot of in-depth therapy (not CBT, who said 'it would be like sticking a little plaster over a gushing wound' when they assessed me) and consistent and managed medication means I no longer believe that at all--and it seems astounding that I ever did. I'd consider myself to have been 'recovered' for about 18 months.

You can do it. I wish you all good thoughts and a full recovery. It is possible

[Terralee]

Yes I have. I used to be very depressed all the time. After trying various doses of anti depressants I am now on 337.5mg of Venlafaxine which works well for me, as in I still get a bit down but not suicidal or constantly depressed like I was before.
When I feel down I can feel the medication giving me a lift, so even if I want to feel miserable I can't for long!!

I do have schizoaffective disorder which includes negative symptoms like lack of motivation eg I find it hard to carry out daily tasks, but that's not to do with the depression.

I hope you can get some help & begin to recover.

[frogsareflyinginfromthewest]

for you Op. I have come through 3 bouts of terrible dark depression. Counselling, CBT, EMDR, and medication pulled me through. I am still on medication today, 12 years down the line.

I liken the right medication to wearing contact lenses (which I also wear!) Once they are in (or in medication terms, on the tablets long term), you no longer notice they are there, and you feel fully alive.

The right medication is different for each person. I was lucky first go, thankfully.

EMDR works wonders too.

It's not to say that all days are amazing, it's natural and ok to have crap days.

Thinking of you Ok.

[pawpawpawpaw]

Yes! and hugs to you OP, it's so hard and lots of people find it frustrating and too complex and don't know how to support us. If you ask for a hug do you think your loved ones could come through?

Over time things began to shift, I had meds, CBT and other talking therapies and an excellent psychiatrist who told me that some people just get better. I don't know what was responsible. I got better at boundary setting and knowing what I wanted and I have lowered my standards for what is good enough. CBT wasn't a cure as such, but it did help me with constructive next steps, so I don't get caught in a downward spiral.

It has helped to find relationships where I feel listened to and understood, but they're few and far between.

[psychomath]

Yes - I had severe depression as well as intermittent anorexia for seven years, stemming from a personality disorder (which I technically still have, though basically no symptoms anymore). Medication took the edge off a bit and counselling did absolutely sod all. One day it just kind of... went away, and now I'm fine I was completely mystified and so was my GP. Even lockdown on my own, which I absolutely would not have coped with two years ago, has only got me down a little bit. Provided nothing major happens like a bereavement or job loss, I don't have any fear that this will cause a longer term backslide..

I had exactly the same feeling at some points, that things would never really get better and all I could do was learn to cope. On some level I think you will always believe that when you're in the thick of it - it's part of the nature of depression, unfortunately. I wish I could go back in time and reassure myself that things would turn out okay, I really do.

[Strikingterrorintomyheart]

I wonder if this might help. This is someone I know:

www.urbanuprising.org/post/let-s-talk-about-mental-health

[Warpdrive]

Yes from me too. Medication, prayer and time helped.

[ilovesooty]

Yes, psychiatric input, medication and inpatient treatment with ECT. I came out the other side and I'm fine now.

[Durgasarrow]

Yes, dear OP. I have.

[Siepie]

Yes. I was severely depressed and suicidal for several years as a teenager. I had CBT and anti-depressants and fully recovered.

In my early 20s I had a couple of years on anti-depressants again. I had clinical depression but wouldn't say it was severe that time.

I'm now in my 30s and it doesn't affect me at all anymore.