To ask if any of you have managed to recover from long term depression and anxiety?

[Earswithfeet]

Sorry, I know it’s not really an AIBU, I’m just feeling incredibly low and hoping someone might have a positive story. I’ve had depression and anxiety pretty much my entire adult life (and to be honest even in childhood although I didn’t recognise it as such then). Occasionally I have periods of a few months where I feel a lot better but it’s always there just waiting around the corner. I’ve had years of therapy (including a period as an inpatient), plus anti depressants on and off throughout. I’m at the stage now where I have more life behind me than ahead of me and I just can’t bear to spend the rest of it feeling like this. Has anyone managed to get over really long term mental health issues and if so can you share any advice on how you did it? Thank you

Following.

I know how you feel. Even when I feel ‘better’, I expect it to come back.

I’d recommend reading (or listening to) Johan Hari’s Lost Connections. Many of the techniques/approaches help me though some are aspirational- I’d like to change my life to live in a way that’s more nurturing and meaningful. But I can’t afford to do many of the things I want yet and therefore have a financial plan. But I spend a lot of time wanting to give up.

The things that seem to help keep me on an even keel are exercise, meaningful social contact (which is hard to keep up as a depressed person), sleeping well and eating well. I love getting tipsy with friends but I find that it upsets the balance and I fall into a rut for weeks afterwards.

Johann Hari also talks about meaningful work. This is very true. I’m struggling at the moment as I was working on a programme that had positive societal goals but it’s been hijacked by senior leaders to be something else. Since this happened I’ve found I can’t get up in the morning.

So yes, if you can work on or contribute to something that aligns with your values, that helps.

Thank you @BeansMeansWines, I hadn’t actually heard of Johann Hari but will look him up. I know what you mean re exercise and social contact - the latter in particular is worse for me at the moment because of Covid I think, I have one of the shielding conditions and being very cautious so haven’t seen a friend for over 6 months now- one of the ways my anxiety manifests is in an inability to speak easily on the phone or Skype so things have been quite lonely. The exercise I know would make me feel better, have just got myself in a bit of a vicious circle where I don’t sleep due to anxiety then feel too tired to exercise which makes me feel down and so on. I think the lack of energy which comes from a low patch is one of the hardest things. Some days I feel as though my body is made of lead and it takes me hours to even get up. I hate myself for it though - this isn’t who I was supposed to be

I know what you mean. I have described it as seeming paralysed before- the endeavour to stand up or to wash or to leave the house can seem like being asked to run a marathon or walk 50 miles.

For that reason I find having commitments that force me to do things helps. I lived on a canal boat for years and chose to do so as you have to move it every 2 weeks. Otherwise you can lose your license. Being forced to be active really helped. I’d often spend the other weekend in bed. I want a dog for the same reason (plus dogs are nice).

Could you pay for a class or private instructor? I have found that is a good way to force me to do things. It doesn’t always work though.

Oh, also, re exercise- I signed up for a sponsored half marathon and had to raise money and commit. That helped me follow the training plan. For a shorter run I probably could have Trained less and walked. I have signed up for another and the training plan helps me to focus and get up. (Though I’m in the process of falling off the wagon right now. Have done 3 runs in 3 weeks...)

Yes, I would like a dog for the same reason- to make me get up and out. I think paying for a class is a good idea - I managed to get through a really bad patch a couple of years ago by paying for a personal trainer to come to my house twice a week so I had no choice but to exercise! I did a half marathon about 10 years ago and would love to get myself into a place where I could do another one. Living on a boat sounds amazing!

Thank you for replying again, it’s nice to hear from another person 🙂

I wouldn't say recovered because I still take medication for it and have make sure I look after myself.
BUT I will say after several tries of counselling I found a counsellor who go me and helped. I found using yoga and meditation and mindfulness helped plus prescription medication.
I now live my life and enjoy it a lot more.
I have felt like I have recovered and tried to reduce and stop taking the medication but I feel the irrational emotions taking over. So I may have to keep taking the medication but I am living with an illness that no longer stops me living my life and being me which it once did.
I try and think about it like if I had a heart attack. While I may have recovered from it I would like have to take medication and change my life style to prevent further heart attacks.
I am not sure if this helps at all.