Is depression a part of you? (May trigger)

Hey guys havent been on for agess,hope you're all well tho

Just a little thinking going on (which may be reflective of my mood but nonetheless)
-Do you guys think depression is something which will always be there?I mean if you have it and if in the future you're *cured* (or w/e you wanna call it), do you think its just that you're better able to cope with the feelings and can prevent from feeling that way?or do you see at as something completely seperate from yourself?
Sorry may be a little bleak,but as i said reflective of my mood maybe?

I personally feel like depression is just part of me,and then when im not feeling as down its not because i no longer have depression,its just because at that time I'm better able to cope with it. I hope this makes sense, I'm really not great at explaining these things lol.
Just curious to see what others think

Hi Carrie - Well for me, I'm clinically depressed so I'm always going to have it. I've been on antidepressants for years because I CAN'T cope with it without the meds. The depression gets too darn severe that I can't function, so without the meds, I'm a slug. lol If I had to get OFF the meds right now, I'd end up in bed constantly with the covers over my head. No one would see me - ever again.

Thankfully, with meds I'm able to cope and function. I thank God for the medications. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee

I learned to cope. It took some time, but i can now put the feelings aside and roll.

Than of course, I am a pessimist by nature. I call it realism... I don't believe it's my illness, because my pessimism is often quite rational (I am not pessimist about everything... just about some aspects of life). I am dark... I call myself female Franz Kafka. i would not want to be too different, really. I just want to find peace with myself...

I don't think depression ever fully leaves you, not when its to a severe or lengthened level. It leaves a scar, even if you're "better". I think that type of depressive episode is life changing. Just like getting in a car accident, or having some other type of trauma.

That being said, I think you can still lead a full life being recovered from depression. And I think it is possible to cope with clinical depression and manage the symptoms in such a way that you can live a decent life at least, if not better. Coping may require constant meds and therapy, of course.

I'm not sure if I see my depression as seperate or as a part of myself. While I was more depressed, I was really negative about it and having trouble seeing a difference between me and it. Now, I see it as a seperate part of me and as more of a condition. Kind of a mix?

Nice to meet you and thanks for asking this question - It's thoughtful and something I've asked myself many times
Take care

Hello, carrie-19. Good to see you. In my view, depression will always be a part of me. As you suggest, the impact of the illness may be ameliorated by therapy, medications and coping skills. Accepting responsibility for maintaining an acceptable level of functioning is also a key, as is believing you can get better with help if necessary.

http://www.health.com/health/conditi...188165,00.html

I hope you are doing great, Carrie.

Personally, I'd like to think my depression isn't a part of me. Sometimes it does feel like it is, but even when I'm at my most depressed, I can still maintain a part of what I would be without my depression. What gets me through is saying that I will be that person again, the person I want to be. So, depression isn't me. Because there's always the possibility that I could have been born without depression, that I wouldn't have it at all. Who would I be then? I know that person is somewhere deep inside of me.

When I first got diagnosed almost 20 years ago, I flipped out, didn't know what to do, now I see it as a nervous breakdown. Now that I've dealt with it on and off thru the years, I don't freak out anymore, just try to get my meds adjusted.

I feel that depression is a part of me. Almost like a personality trait. I think its always there under the surface, but as you say sometimes I can cope with it and sometimes I cant.

I also strongly believe that I have inherited the trait. My Grandmother was depressed and my Dad has had depression on and off for as long as I can remember. Now my sister and I have both suffered from depression. I can talk about it with my sister but not my Dad, he's a very 'stiff upper lip' englishman!

i personally feel that depression is always going to be a part of me. i have felt pretty down for quite a few years now, but have only recently done something about it. my therapist told me that it actually runs in the family eg. if one of your parents has it then it is highly likely you will have it yourself.
i would love to not have it...but i just dont see that happening.

Hmm... All my life I have tended to be sad and serious. I think that's just me in all my glory. As for depression I think I am prone to it based on my personality and having bouts of it in the past, but is it part of me?
I don't know.

havent been on in a while sorry, (loada college work to finish!)

really interesting to hear all the replies and ideas. i have to say i feel the same way as a few of you do,i see it as a personality trait in me,something that i live with,but which can be managed

i think depression remains part of you. I've been treated and continue to take medication. I've not had serious symptoms in several years. However, three years ago I lost my job and my doctor changed my medication. It took several months to get through that and get my meds back on track. I am always watching for signs that I could be headed back into the darkness.

Is it a clinical thing that can be treated with meds? Normal people can get very depressed when they lose job... you lose your status, your selfworth.

I am not on anything... and I can see difference in my moods now that I am in school and last year when I was unemployed. Yes, I was in black hole and I would feel down... very down for weeks. I started to isolate and withdraw... When i though I had a job I desired at my hands and it did not work out... it was terrible...
I am so much better now since i am in school... I still feel down, but not as much.

I don't want to lessen your suffering in any way... you get my point,right?

yes. I have been treated for depression going back to 1996. My latest episode was three years and triggered by job loss and the suicide of my brother. That is why I think it never goes away completley

But how does one determine when it's depression and when it's just natural grieving process? Is it the extremenes of it?

There would be something terribly wrong if one was not terribly down over death of their family, imho.

I think depression is part of me. It's something that I can deal with but at the same time, it's something that I cannot change about me. I can learn how to cope with it but no matter how old I get it will always be there following me around, like an uninvited dinner guest.