Hi retro_chic....I'm so sorry that you're suffering. So from what you write it sounds as if you suffer from "double depression".....dysthymia with episodes of major depression. This is what I deal with also. I have suffered from dysthymia since childhood, with increasing episodes of major depression over the past 10 years or so. To be honest I've rarely heard the word "recovery" associated with dysthymia and ~or major depression (of course perhaps I've just missed it!)....but I believe it's more a matter of taking it day by day, and hoping that one experiences longer periods of feeling "more okay". Not necessarily the ideal, but I do hear of people who actually feel long periods of relief from the stupid demon ~depression. And on the bright side, before my somewhat recent "relapse", I actually had a period of a few years when things felt decidedly better, and definitely more "manageable". You mention therapy, but of course the topic of medication also comes up in my mind when I read your post....particularly in the treatment of dysthymia, as its presence most often indicates that those silly neurotransmitters ~brain chemicals are out of whack. So has that been a part of your treatment plan? There are also other options out there, with new treatments being added often, and I think it's so important to keep searching....btw talking to myself as well here Anyway, you are so definitely not alone in your search for these answers, and I, for one, will be here (in the forums and ~or by PM) if you ever want to talk about what's going on. Also, I am including an article from Wiki that I think might possibly help to clarify (something) a bit. Warm wishes and best of luck to you.....whimsy Double-depression
Double-depression occurs when a person experiences a major depressive episode on top of the already-existing condition of dysthymia. It is difficult to treat as people accept these major depressive symptoms to be a natural part of their personality or as a part of their life that is outside of their control. Because people with dysthymia may accept these worsening symptoms as inevitable, it can delay treatment. If treatment is sought out, it is commonly treatment-resistant due to the fact that the major depressive symptoms are addressed, but often not the dysthymic symptoms.[8] Hopelessness has been found to be a significant symptom of double-depression, with patients reporting higher levels of hopelessness. This can be a useful symptom for mental health services providers to focus on when working with the patient to treat the condition[6] Additionally, cognitive therapies can be effective for working with people with double-depression in order to help change negative thinking patterns and give individuals a new way of seeing themselves and their environment.[8]
It has been suggested that the best way to prevent double-depression is by treating the dysthymia. A combination of antidepressants and cognitive therapies is thought to be helpful in preventing major depressive symptoms from occurring. Additionally, exercise and goodsleep hygiene (e.g. improving sleep patterns) are thought to have somewhat of an additive effect on treating dysthymic symptoms and preventing them from worsening.[8]