[artichack]

Iv'e heard that with depression, as you age...the symptoms become less severe...does anybody know if this is true or not? Have anyone of you experienced this? I am reaching that 50 year mark....thanks...arti

[missbelle]

not for me..... I am 66....but then I think it depends on what happens in your life...if you experience a crisis like I did, well the depression is back full blown....I know that my daughter is bi-polar and was diagnosed at 12 or 13. The Psychiatrist did tell me that her symptoms would lessen as she grew older probably due to raging hormones as a teenager etc.

There are so many variables as to whether thae depression returns, an illness, accident,relationship problems. If you are pre-disposed, I guess it could rear its ugly head. I always had a chemical imbalance, and was diagnosed twenty years ago although I had depression probably in my teens. Back then though, little was really known, or depression really recognized. Plus there were no pill at that time.

I would not worry about it. If you feel good, tht is the important thing. Just take care of yourself mentally, spiritually and physically. There are never any guarantees anyway in life. Just practice living in the day!

[Patriciann]

My depression hit when I was 50 but it is the 'secondary' type of depression that is caused from circumstances and not the chemical imbalance type. I found myself coping with my disability along with the death of my husband and a few other challenges thrown into the mix and it was more than I could handle and that is when the depression came along. So I think it depends on what a person's circumstances are along with their biological make-up and history. (()) to everyone - Patricia

[lavieenrose]

I've had depression since childhood, probably from predisposition as well as my family's negative conditioning and life events. I've had episodes of freedom from depression, but it's dominated my life and caused a lot of failure at work and in relationships, perpetuating more depression. I hate to say, it's gotten markedly worse for me since hormonal changes at 51. But, everyone's biology is different. I don't think it's possible to predict. Depression is also high among the elderly. The experts speak of the strength of one's social network as a factor in how well one weathers depression. Just a few thoughts.