Life after depression...

[wigglybeezer]

This may be just me, but I think I have always been prone to depression, or at least dysthymia, and have been very low on several occasions over the years. I have spoken to the GP about it but have always held back from medication ( family members have had side effects). I have self managed by keeping stress to a minimum and monitoring my moods and have got much better at keeping the black dog at bay. There was probably an element of reactive depression about a family situation that I have now come to terms with too.

However, despite feeling more contented these days, I feel that depression has somehow blunted me, I don't feel as sharp mentally as I once did and feel joy and excitement less often. I find it hard to get motivated and am no longer ambitious. I feel. I have slowed down. I am 46, nearly 47.

Anyone else feel that depression has permanently affected them?

Don't worry for a second about 'slowing down'. There may be more perception than reality here. However, even if you have slowed down, that could be for the best. Our bodies and minds need a rest - whatever age we are. And depression is a sure trigger. In fact, it's probably a very good to take things more slowly and steadily when we're depressed - it's a time when we need to take the utmost care of ourselves.

You certainly come across as someone who is 'sharp mentally'. I hope now that you can find joy and excitement in life. Maybe different from the things that excited and motivated you in the past or you may need this time of rest - of letting things go rather - until you find the strength once more to live your life as you want to.

I took 'time out', as it were, from my former interests and passions when things were getting pretty bad - in fact, very bad. But by and by, the old passions and excitements are being rekindled. And it's happening quite naturally.

Good luck.