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Original poster

Has anyone recovered from long-term depression

13 replies

bluejelly · 30/11/2006 11:27

Not talking about PND or event-triggered depression ( eg relating to a death or money troubles) but the serious long term stuff.
My bf has had it for around 20 years, has had therapy, drug treatments, read a zillion books .
Nothing has proved to be a permanent cure so far and I'm wondering if anything will?
Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
bluejelly · 30/11/2006 11:45

Sorry just read this back and realised that it might come across as if I was saying that PND and event related dep were not serious .
Which of course they are!

OP posts:
Baconbaps · 30/11/2006 11:56

I've suffered on and off for about the same length of time. If I think about it I've probably been ok for the most part but the bouts of depression I have had make me reluctant to say I will ever have 'recovered' as I always feel it's waiting to pounce! I've been relatively ok for the last year or so which is a good sign.

Sorry, if that isn't much help but I think it's more a case of developing coping mechanisms or recognising the signs and trying to deal with it before it takes hold if possible more than someone ever being fully recovered.

I can imagine it's v difficult for a partner to deal with and I sympathise with you.

Original poster
bluejelly · 30/11/2006 12:01

Thanks BB that's really useful.
He is going through a really bad bout at the moment and it is really hard.
I was really hoping there might be light at the end of the tunnel and you have given me some, thanks

OP posts:
Pitchounette · 30/11/2006 12:56

Message withdrawn

Baconbaps · 30/11/2006 13:21

Just wanted to add that, because coping with a loved one's depression is so hard on partners and family, you should make sure you get as much support and help as you need. It can be an exhausting and thankless task looking after/living with someone who has mental health problems and it can bring you down too if you're not careful. Don't forget you need to take care of yourself as well.

There is a lot of info and support out there and on the internet. Thought these links might be useful for a start. Forgive me if you've seen all this before.

this might be useful

and this

I'm sure you will both get through this and come out the other side again. Good luck.

Original poster
bluejelly · 30/11/2006 14:23

Thanks very much BB, that's very kind of you ...it's hard to know how to take care of myself. I am a very strong person emotionally and feel ok for now ( if rather sceptical about our long-term future together) but am keeping an eye out for any probs!

Pitchouette: my bf has been interested in spirituality and although I'm an atheist I try and be supportive of his interest. At the moment he is in a deep pit and is not interested in anything, but hopefully when he is on the up again he will rediscover it!

OP posts:
Dior · 30/11/2006 14:25

Message withdrawn

thebecster · 30/11/2006 14:33

I had depression for 3 years - which I guess is quite long term, but nothing to compare to your bf. I do definitely agree with Baconbaps: "more a case of developing coping mechanisms or recognising the signs and trying to deal with it before it takes hold if possible more than someone ever being fully recovered." I think you can only be 'in recovery' from depression, not actually 'recovered' because if you have that tendency, as I do, you can never take your mental health for granted. I agree too that you need to take care of yourself & make sure that you don't get dragged down. I think it's healthy that you're skeptical about long term future. Best to take it one day at a time - both for you & for him.

MrsOhHu · 30/11/2006 14:42

I am currently drug-free! I am knackeredwith 2 young children, but not clinically depressed. I do think that gloom is something you can learn to live with, and perhaps we get better at living with it with practice. I don't know. It's a grim thing.

peegeeweegee · 30/11/2006 14:47

I know now that I have had depression for a long time, but was formally diagnosed 2 years ago. My GP is keen for me to get off the medication and I have been able to cut back a bit, but not to a siginificant degree.
I worry this will be a cloud that will follow me around for the rest of my life, perhaps with brief sunny intervals.

I don't think you ever recover from depression, but I think you can have good periods of remission.

Paddlechick666 · 30/11/2006 15:36

bluejelly, my dh is also in the midst of severe depression.

i find it very hard especially as his depression results in him absenting himself.

CAT me if you'd like to chat at all.

Original poster
bluejelly · 30/11/2006 16:10

Thanks for all your input guys
Paddlechick would love to cat you
Bit busy today but will do tomorrow, thanks, it's good to know that I'm not struggling with this alone

OP posts:
Paddlechick666 · 01/12/2006 13:32

bluejelly, no prob. no pressure to cat me at all just if you wanted to "compare notes" as it were!

it's a horrible time of year to be dealing with this sort of thing.

hope there's some blue sky for you soon.

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