I know that if life hadn't insisted on throwing crap at me I would not be feeling so bad today. I have reduced my meds massively, and until recently I was feeling hopeful and on some days even happy!

There is always hope, and given the right climate there can be recovery. I am very conscious that I am one of those members who never seem to get any better, and sometimes think about how that must look, but depression is a selfish illness, and I don't always consider the impact of my mood on others.

It could be that for some people "nothing helps," but remember it's in the nature of the illness to make blanket statements like "nothing helps."

When you're in the midst of a depressive episode, "everything goes wrong," "I've never been happy," "I always fail", etc. When you come out of a depressive episode, your thinking is clearer and you can see that sometimes things do go right, sometimes you are happy (maybe not a lot, but sometimes!), sometimes you do succeed, etc.

Also, a lot of us give up before we've tried all the options. Sure, there are some people who've tried everything and it doesn't help, but for the *majority* of people with depression, something does eventually help. You may have to try a few different medications or therapists, but it's more likely that you will get better than you won't.

Depression can recur ... I've had a few major episodes. And then there's dysthymia, which is a chronic depression with milder symptoms. I've had that almost all my life. But medication helps me a great deal. Right now I feel quite good.

One last thing ... on a depression forum like this, you're not going to be reading a lot of posts from people whose depression is under control and they're feeling great. They are out living their lives! :-)

So, pat yourself on the back for going to the doctor -- and I hope you have great results!

Possible to overcome it? I'd like to think so! Easy to overcome- thats a little different.

I think of it more as being able to cope and know how it affects me so I can find the right strategy. For some, that will be therapy or meds. For others it might mean working to adopt new habits of lifestyle choices. Or a combination. Personally, I think the hardest part is to convince myself that it is OK to feel better. I think sometimes we get so used to feeling bad that we don't like feeling good (if that makes sense).

I've suffered from Dysthymia for most of my life. When something major comes along like what is going on in my life now, then I can despair a little. But I keep looking for the things that will help me to cope and get through this time.

Find what helps you- the therapist, the meds, diet and excercize, whatever. We each of us has a chance to face our depression and win. I really believe that. Good luck.

Juice, don't feel like you are being selfish or inconsiderate. This group is a safe haven for us for us to discuss our feelings. You need to do what helps you feel better. I wouldn't want anyone to stop discussing their feelings or feel bad that they haven't gotten better yet. I am so sorry if it came across that way at all. I know how hard it is dealing with depression so I feel for each person here. I wish I could somehow make it better for all of us. I guess I have just been feeling hopeless lately and I am just scared there is no hope for me.

etherize, Thank you so much for help keeping things in perspective. It's easy to forget statements like "nothing helps" could be the depression talking. You are so right that forums like these tend to attract those of us who are having a rough go of it. Those who are doing well wouldn't really need this place. :) I am so happy for you that medication helps and you are feeling good.

Prospero, Thank you so much!

It is possible to feel better, yes. But it is super hard work. I may always have the tag "chronically depressed" and I may always need anti-depressants, and I may need to see a therapist for a very long time. But I "feel" different than I did in my darkest days.

I wish depression was an illness where a person could say "do this, this and this, and you'll feel better." But what works for one person does not necessarily work for another.

But I do believe people can recovery :-)

I say it is possible for those who believe there is help for them. There to me is never going to be anything to help those who do not believe anything will help them. I believe its an extremely hard struggle for a lot of people to find what will help them most including medication wise. There is hope for you. Never give it away for anything or anyone:).

No, you are not wasting your time, please believe that. Some of us just haven't found the right doctor or the right medication. and some of us haven't been able to see a therapist. Please go for the help and more then likely, it will do you a lot of good. Let us know how you are doing. Hugs.

Thank you Diane M, charliegirl, and gramybear.

I'd like to believe there is help out there for me. I'd like to think I can lead more of a normal productive life. Sometimes I get so fearful that nothing will ever change for the better.

Though I guess in a way I do believe I can get better because I believe that if I got help sooner my life would be completely different today.

I would like to try anything I can to make a recovery because I know I won't get better if I don't try.

On top of that I know some people who are skeptical of medicine. They don't believe medication helps. I told one of my internet friends about a clinical study that I wish I could do because it sounds intriguing and potentially helpful, but all I get met with is skepticism. It would just be nice to hear some positive support. Thankfully I can get some positive support here.

i wanted to reply to your post to give you a little hope. i have been in a depressive state for awhile now and woke up today feeling better than i have in a long while. i started prozac and am in week 4 of the meds. i felt so deperately hopeless and was scared to death that i wouldnt get better and would feel this way forever (even though i have these episodes a couple times a year). i actually can tell the meds are starting to work a little and i feel some relief. i dont feel completely normal and happy, but not as dark as i have been this last month. Good luck to you........

Finding the right combination of meds, positive thoughts, therapy, etc is just around the corner. We have to all keep on searching for what will make us feel like we can cope and feel happy at times, a bit down at times (but can deal with the down), and generally function.

Keep on searching and you will find your right combination. It is hard and difficult but the result is worth it.

It is possible to get better.... but better may not mean 'cured'.... i have suffered with depression since i was a child..... and have learned that I will always need to be on a SSRI anti-depression because my brain chemistry has altered and no long works correctly.... with that being said, i have felt very well for several years.... only recently have i been struggling not to slip back into the depression.... overwhelming family issues related to my children have made it difficult to cope.... but i keep trying, keep taking my meds and talk to people (in person or on here) and I know i will once again overcome and return to my happy life...... there is hope for us all

Willpower, your need to want to fight. Giving up, turns you into a zombie you become the definition of apathy. Don't let the world corrupt you don't let the hatred and sin of the world consume you. You are unquie one of a kind and important to not only your friends and family but to the entire world. We are all together in this. Giving up is much worse, you leave so many behind. If you don't wish to fight for yourself think of all of those you leave behind. You can do this! this stranger believes in you!

Good question, made me think...I think one can get it down to the state of melancholy (or whatever it's called, when it's not cliniclal). But will one EVER stop being sad more than the rest? I don't know...I haven't.

Of course there is hope! Going in to see about some professional help is a very positive action. Just know that depression may need a full court press; you may need to see a professional, take medicine, and be in a support group. I was untreated for many years. I thought I would never be free of the "black shroud", the "box", of depressive illness. But I did get a remission. What worked for me may not work for you. I only can tell you MY story. But my story is a story of healing and hope. I think you can have a story just like it. Keep coming back to this site, and let us know how you are doing. We are all in this together!!!

houston28 - I am so happy you were feeling better and your meds seem to be workng. Thank you for sharing.

Fairygargoyle - Thank you. I am willing to try anything to help myself. I refuse to go through life like this.

DraconicSoul - It's encouraging to hear you were able to feel well for several years. I am hoping you get back to that place ASAP.

Victoria5151 - Thank you for your uplifting message. I really do not want to give in to this battle. I will be having my first therapy appointment on Tuesday.

Kash77 - I would like to think I could ventually be happy, but right now I just want to function.

BobCJ - I am so glad you had a remission. I am ready for the full court press. When I called to make a first appointment with a therapist they asked me if I preferred therapy, meds, or group therapy and I told them I am open to all of it. I think all of it would probably be good for me.