There are numerous types of depression and episodes of varying strength last for varying amounts of time. I know that severe depression (7+ years) can be overcome because I have seen it in someone who is close to me. Clinical studies have even shown some medications to be especially effective at aiding the move into remission.

I have a tendency toward black and white thinking and I am afraid to get caught in the old thought process that says "I would be normal, I would be successful and my life would work - if I didn't have this illness." To counter that, the way I look at it right now in my own life is more like management. I have hope that one day (soon) it will be gone. But right now having the illness is more like having to deal with something like diabetes. I can relate to justfloating as some days are very hard and some days aren't as hard. But this doesn't mean I will give up on my dreams. I just know that right now dealing with the illness takes precedence as I'd rather not sink any lower. You know?