[Lika Li]

Hi,

Do you know someone who has been cured from depression?

Please, share the person history, if you know someone, just to give hope to us...

Thanks

[meganb22]

I'm not sure if anyone can really be "cured" from depression. Personally, I think it comes and goes through out a persons life. I really hope it is possible, though! My mom is a good example of depression getting better and almost disappearing. She was in an abusive relationship, had work and money stress, as well as worrying about me because I was having mood issues (I have Bipolar II). Last March she attempted suicide. It was the scariest and most heartrending thing that has ever happened it my life.

It took her several more months but she left her abusive husband, got her own place, got financially stable and is currently in a healthy new relationship with a nice guy. While she does have days that she doesn't feel her greatest, she always tries to look on the bright side. She looks for the good things she has going for her and she goes out and enjoys life. I'm still in the learning process of how to be like that. It's hard!

I think lots of people go through periods in their life where they are depressed. For people who don't have a mental illness, I think it may be easier for them to bounce back. I do believe there is hope for those of us who are depressed. It just takes some time and faith.

[Fizzyo]

Some people have an episode of depression and then go back to whatever normal life is with its ups and downs, and some of us live with it for more of our lives. If there is a social cause, like a toxic relationship that we can address, there is more chance of remission, or if it is a reaction to bereavement or something it's more straightforward. However, if we can learn to get some pleasure from small things, and see a positive side to things, that really helps our quality of life, cure or no cure. I trust there is some hopefulness in this ramble.

[Lika Li]

[Fizzyo]

[Fuzzybear]

[lonely-and-sad]

There are people around who claim they have the cure for depression. They even post it on forums. They have the answers despite the best minds grappling with the issue of chronic depression. Excuse my cynicism ... that makes them a genius in my book. They have done what nobody else has managed to do ...

I would be extremely wary of any such claim. Whilst studies conflict on the percentages it is clear enough that studies show some people have an episode of depression and then get well and do not have another episode.

It seems possible to me that some people may have a single episode. It further seems possible that they engaged in some activity in their depression. Maybe it was Reiki maybe they visited a 'healer'. Whatever the activity these people get better anyway and attribute their recovery to the activity they engaged in.

Here is one study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2761826/

[Fizzyo]

many things help some people to recover from depression, the best evidence is for CBT which has been shown to be effective in MILD to MODERATE depression and I have read many testimonials from people who have done very well on it. Something like 1/3 get completely better, 1/3 improve and 1/3 don't make much progress. This is considered a good result in many branches of medicine, and is at least as good as medication alone if not better, however that is far short of a magic bullet which is why, in more persistent depression, it is worth pursuing a range of therapy options keeping an open mind but also a healthy scepticism for anyone who claims to have a working magic wand!
Grrrr I want a magic wand!