[sunrise]

I've been feeling so great the past few months. I seemed to have finally beat the depression that had been with me for years. I felt like I left depression behind, like I was alive again. It was an amazing feeling. Then last week, BAM, I felt depressed for the first time in months. Just came out of nowhere. Lasted almost a week. Same symptoms--sleeplessness, severe anxiety, depression.

I'm doing better now, but just shocked that I felt that way again. Like depression is lurking around the corner ready to take charge again. Is this typical for people who have stopped being depressed? That it returns sometimes? It was new for me. What can I do to keep this from happening? Or what do I do when it returns? I don't want to go on meds when on the whole, I feel like I am OK now.

[desperado]

Sorry you are feeling that way, Sunrise.

I hate to tell you this, but I seem to be able to function for a few months (two - four mos) & then WHAM! I crash again. I go through depressive episodes for approx nine mos.....I wish I knew the answer as to how to prevent it.......just try to monitor your stress levels & triggers.......

Btw, I hate the idea of meds, too, but hey, if it helps me, then I guess I have to..........

Good luck & take care of yourself.

d

[snowflake_48888]

I have had anxiety/depression for the last 15 years. During this period I have had it come and go, come and go. This last time I was free for about 4 years and then wham...it came back. When it came back it wasn't full force like it was in the very beginning but it was there enough to knock me for a loop. I kept feeding the fear by worrying I would be like the very first time I had it. For me I think what happens is over time I forget to take care of me....proper sleep, proper nutrition, exercise, quiet time...etc. Something else I do is hold in things that upset instead of talking them out. Pretty soon those little things become huge issues and I am ready to explode with anxiety.

As I am reading, learning, and putting into practice what I am finding out about myself I believe I will be on the path of relief again. As desperado said we need to look and recognize the triggers.

Snow

[desperado]

Oh yeah, Sunrise.......I forgot to add a few things........is there anything in your life that's different that you can put your finger on? If yes, then maybe that's linked to the onset of the depression. (?)

Also, do you have S.A.D.? (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I know I do, & this time of year is pretty bad.

I would consult w/ your dr.......you don't want to get worse.

Good luck.

d

[sunrise]

Thanks, desperado and snowflake, for sharing your experiences. I guess maybe I was a little naive to think the depression was gone for good. But it had been almost 4 months and I felt so great! Desperado, "crash" is exactly the right word for what I felt.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
is there anything in your life that's different that you can put your finger on? If yes, then maybe that's linked to the onset of the depression.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
Yep, there sure is, and I need to confront and handle this problem in my life. I can't not deal with it any longer. Maybe avoiding the problem helps me not be depressed, but I need to deal with this. But being depressed makes dealing with the problem harder. Sigh. I'm seeing my therapist next week for help.

[desperado]

YW, sunrise.

Hmmmmmmm........having issues & trying to escape them by avoiding them is really difficult..........but not as difficult as dealing w/ them.........but w/ the help of the therapist, I'm sure you will be o.k. I'm sending you a big hug.

Take care.

d

p.s.: It takes a lot of courage to recognize, let alone deal w/ painful issues, sunrise, so give yourself a pat on the back.

[phillygirl]

Sunrise, I hope you get a handle on what's going on in your life. That you beat it for four months is encouraging to me. I'm sure you'll be able to get that good feeling back

"Yep, there sure is, and I need to confront and handle this problem in my life. I can't not deal with it any longer. Maybe avoiding the problem helps me not be depressed, but I need to deal with this. But being depressed makes dealing with the problem harder. Sigh. I'm seeing my therapist next week for help. "

This exactly describes my life at the moment. I've been feeling better but in the back of my mind have been terrifed of crashing again. That's what I've always called it too. For me, it's happened many times. This last one, I finally decided to do something about it and it is helping. I just need to learn to trust that it won't come crashing down on me again. Take care!

[Boopers]

I'm sorry you had a relapse. I have had severe depression since I was 14 and I just turned 53. I have fought it for many years.
I am currently on two different anti-depressants and I will go along for months and think I have it beat and think, OK, now I don't need the meds anymore and will be ok and then out of no where, I am just as depressed as when I first started. So, back on the meds I go.
I so wish I could go off them. But, I like feeling better more.
Don't get me wrong, I will sometimes get depressed even on the meds but it won't last as long. I can somehow get over it quicker.
I'm wishing you all the best.
Hugs,
Boopers

[Talulah]

(((((((((((((((((((Sunrise))))))))))))))))))))

Keep going.........

[sunrise]

Thanks, Talulah, Boopers, Phillygirl, &amp; Desperado. (((hugs)))

Today I felt the best I've felt in almost 2 weeks, so I seem to be coming out from under the cloud. I see my therapist tomorrow and wonder what he will have to say. He hasn't really worked too much with me on my depression, as I only began seeing him a few months ago, when I had mostly left depression behind. So I don't know what he'll say or suggest.