I don't know that I would be considered a success story.
I have not felt depressed in weeks. I was feeling lonely, scared, and out of work. I was crying myself to sleep every night and now I have a job and some people I talk to at work. I feel 100% better now. I still have no friends outside of facebook, still no car, no boyfriend and I only am working part time but I don't feel sad or depressed at all anymore
For me the biggest turning point was this group even before I started working again I was feeling better by having people here who have been there and done that everyone was supportive and made me feel not so lonely.

I totally understand... I think that's why I constantly apologize for posting, especially to those who stick by me through my rough patches. I prefer to make people smile, and it bothers me to feel like a burden on anyone.

On an almost daily basis I have to remind myself that I have survived so many traumas, things that could honestly break someone with little or no hope to overcome. Yet I have pushed forward and know I must continue to do so.

Sometimes you have to remove yourself from situations that can bring you down. Go make a little victory of your own ;) I'm working on an art project that I can already predict will be amazing! And considering the day I've had..... that's a huge success :P

I have a success story to share with you all. I have been severely depressed for about the past 20 years and have not been able to function or work. I tried different meds., therapy, ECT's, hospitalizations, etc., and nothing worked. Then few weeks ago I just started to feel better, just kind of on it's own. And now I am a very positive person who continues to work hard on recovery, but who also has a lot of hope. The moral of the story is DON'T GIVE UP! You never know what will happen or when it will suddenly get better on it's own. Thanks!

I completely agree that this site needs a few success stories. When I first found this site, that was one thing I searched for. We always tell ourselves and one another that it will get better. But, then we don't see any evidence of that.

However, I guess, in some ways I am a success story. I have found a med that works for me. I don't spend all of my time crying anymore. I feel like I have a purpose in life again. And, probably most importantly, I don't feel like the world would be better off without me anymore. That being said, there are still rough patches and down days and points where depression still kicks me in the ass. But, all in all, life is looking up again.

I hope that this helps someone out there who can't find any hope on their own at the moment. It can get better. It will get better.

I think I've overcome the depression, and when it starts to rear it's ugly head, I head to this site. And I feel better. It's simply a matter of taking it one day at a time. This site is also great for venting and just hearing or learning of what other think or would do if in your situation. I think that's why its so helpful. When I get angry at my addict husband, I can come here and find people who understand what I am dealing with, and that helps me to feel not so alone. Really, I don't know where I would be without this site and the support I have received here.

Depressed Recluse

I don't post a lot on here because I don't need to mostly. Back in the winter, I did have a pretty bad spell, but that was the first in a few years. Before that though, I was depressed for years and years. However, this time I knew that because of the past that I would get through it again. I just make sure that I do my part by taking my meds, going to counseling and working on my thoughts. The rest takes care of itself in time.

Oh, and I no longer self injure either. I don't really have any tips on how I stopped though, I just did. I've only relapsed once on that and that wasn't during my last depressive spell either, but further back.

Well, I cannot really attribute if I'm a success story yet since I've only recently have been feeling much better. I actually joined this place because I was beginning to feel better and wanted some good support just in case I began slipping again.
Anyway, I've been dealing with depression for about 5 years or so. This year I pretty much attempted suicide several times(jumping off buildings, driving recklessly). Recently I had a spiritual experience that did not answer anything during the first week, but freaked me out into looking for help with spiritual things. Eventually I found some answers on my own and one day everything dealing with my depression seemed to click. Out of nowhere I began having more positive thoughts and began actively pushing out negative thoughts. I began exercising and meditating and I began regaining the strong ambition that I once had. I set goals to help myself and goals to fulfill in the future. I finally remembered who I was because I had forgot long ago. I cannot really explain it, because I had tried all these things BEFORE this experience, but this was the first time in a long time I felt this feeling I feel now--freedom. I guess you could say I regained the will to fight for my life, but how, I don't know, because I had no will for life before.

The reality is, is that yes I'm still going through a tough time, but I refuse to let that stop me from getting things done so I CAN have a better life for myself. No job, no friends, no boyfriend, no problem!
In a short amount of time I came a long way despite trying different things all those years. It really makes me wonder what I would've accomplished by now if I had this power/ability 5 years ago. I'm also NEVER letting go of this feeling....lol! This feeling has made me wonder why in the world was I in the state of depression for so long! I refuse to go back, they'll have to take me kicking and screaming!! So, I think I might very well be on the way to recovery. I hope.

I have a success story...For people who don't want to believe physical abusers can change..My husband used to hit me but now he doesn't..He received help through anger management that he went to on his own...It wasn't court ordered, he just decided to go and change his temper..Now when he gets mad, he walks away or goes for a drive or something along those lines..I survived his abuse and now work on healing from the damage it has caused me...I suffer PTSD from early traumas in childhood and the abuse by him didn't help so I developed PTSD...But I am on medicines that I think are helping me finally and working in EMDR therapy...I am working on healing, that's all I can do...But its necessary...

I saw the title of this post and laughed out loud. A Success Story? I've never had such a thing in my 50 years on earth. Would continuing to breathe be counted?

Since I've come on here, I feel less overwhelmed. I don't feel like I have to "tough it out" all the time because I feel like I have people to support me unconditionally. It was so overwhelming to actually complain about something and feel like someone actually cared, because I had spent so much time and energy not complaining. Now I just feel better. I've made friends on here that have told me I kept them from self harm, and they help me see myself for my own true qualities, good or bad, without judging. I know that was a mouthful.

thanks for the replies all... its good to know that depression can be overcome... even if its for short periods

yes, i would consider "continuing to breate" a success story. doesnt mean everyone would tho i guess.

sometimes i think we have to re-evaluate what 'success' means. does it mean winning the war? or winning the battle youre in right now? or can it mean something as simple as remembering to salute when youre superior officer walks by?

i think some of us have a habit of over-reaching for goals we cant possibly reach, without first taking the smaller steps to get there.