Is it really possible to overcome anxiety and depression long term?

[RhodaCamel]

Because for most of my life (I’m 47) has been blighted with anxiety and low mood. It just lives alongside me like a shadow, it has faded and loomed larger over the years but has never completely vanished. For the last 3-4 years it has been almost continuous and it honestly feels like it will never leave me.
I am currently in the middle of my 4th attempt at CBT. I genuinely put in so much effort with these sessions and implement my learnings into my everyday life but it has minimal impact. Nothing I’ve tried (counselling, CBT, alternative therapies like hypnotherapy etc) has had any long term impact and eventually the shadow creeps back over me.
I have tried antidepressants but give up (I am ashamed to say quite quickly) because, frankly I am petrified of them, of the potential side effects, of the thought of being on them long term and (I know this sounds ridiculous) but the thought of taking meds to control my mental health feels like I’ve given up the fight, like I’ve lost the ability to control my own mind (even writing that looks pathetic but it’s honestly how my mind thinks).
There are so many people now with poor mental health and it’s all I read about, I belong to lots of support groups online etc but it’s hard to find stories or RL people who say they have recovered and are free of poor mental health for the long haul.
Is this really a possibility, can it be overcome long term or for life? Like overcoming a disease?
Is there anyone out there who can say they are genuinely free of poor mental health having previously suffered greatly?

[Nettleskeins]

Was that a sept or April reading? Summer is when you build up stores. By April they are depleted and then you need to build them up again by going outside between 11 and 3pm April to September if you in Northern hemisphere.
I take 2000iu of vitamin D3 a day , as recommended by NHS endo. Far more than the recommended dose on a multivitamin. And that was after my levels had already been topped up by prescription loading dose. 2000iu is a maintenance dose for me.

However I don't want to say that this is the "only thing" to cure or cause anxiety, obviously it isn't, just one of many factors. Still, 57 isn't a very good level if it was taken aug sept...

[Allthegranola]

I gave up attempting to "recover" from it a long time ago. It's just the way my brain is wired and I take medication which makes a huge difference. I have no plans to stop my medication ever, it is what keeps me functioning.

I'd rather feel normal by taking a couple of pills each day, than shit by not taking anything!

I have done 4 rounds of CBT and found it vaguely helpful for a short time, but it certainly wasn't a cure.

[Cornetto99]

OP - you can heal, don't give up hope. I was ill for about 9 years with depression and completely in a zone and totally without hope I'd ever be OK. Self help and support groups helped me, my big thing was fear and books helped me deal with it in a very scientific way. Meds helped briefly but they weren't right for me, they stopped working and made me more anxious so I eventually came off them very slowly under GP guidance and I actually felt so much better. Also having a nice job with good people and finding better friends helped and making sure I do things I enjoy, being active and getting out. Watching comedies is essential too! And I love music so that's a meditation in itself - funny when I was ill I didn't listen to it, like I was punishing myself. My MH is quite good now. I also think I have ADHD attention deficit - my son was diagnosed about 2 years ago and many bells started to ring. I wish you all the best, you can get better, it doesn't happen overnight, tuning up and improving all parts of my life took time but I really feel the benefit now. Good luck, you will do it. X

[SunshineCake]

I have had a few periods of being in ADs and a hospital doctor once told me I would probably always need medication. I have had PND several times plus other bouts of depression. I have also developed anxiety after a life event which was a huge shock. I'm not currently in any medication as last time it made me feel like I was in a fog and I was worried if I was safe to look after the children. Not because I would hurt them but if I was aware enough about what they were doing.

A few weeks ago I had a shirt, sharp depressive episode and tablets wouldn't have helped. The reason for it is never going to be a tablet fix.

I worry I'll always carry this and wonder at what point I will just have to give up trying to stay in a world that clearly hates me.

I really hope you get the answers you need @RhodaCamel and I wish everyone who is struggling, well.

[SunshineCake]

Only just noticed this thread was started a year or so ago. Hope it is is till okay to post. Having read w few more posts it has reminded me I was depressed before I and the children and now I am having to rethink my whole mental health situation. Feels daunting tbh.

[Imcatmum]

I'm so glad my sister doesn't feel like that about her daily thyroid medicine.

Lots and lots of people are on medication to compensate for issues with their body.

I love and appreciate my sertraline every day and am grateful it exists. Because my body needed it (not my mind, my body. Because depression and anxiety is physiological and needs fixing).