When did your Major Depression start ? | How long did it last ?

I'm curious to know it's duration.

Hi! I think I've had low grade depression from Junior High- eighth grade. It slowly got worse until I finally started medicine during my 30th year. Now I am 47 and continue to monitor my mental health daily. I've had varying degrees of depression throughout but always work to have a healthier life, assuming a healthy life that includes healthy relationships, communication skills, and a positive attitude would automatically lead to a joyful existence. So I guess it never has ended, just maintained.

I'm in the middle of my second bout. My first was about eleven years ago and lasted a little over a year that I was unable to work or take care of myself. I had about ten years of "smooth sailing" with no medication and doing very well on my own. Last December (2015) I had a relapse and I'm still trying to deal with it with medication again and DBT therapy.

I believe my depression and anxiety started in grade school. I masked it for many years with drugs and alcohol until i had complete breakdown 10 years ago. 2 hospitalizations in two months. Since, i have had three relapses with the latest being 7 months ago. I am still struggling with this one.

It's been with me since I can remember. Meds help, but it seems that the older I get the more persistent it is.

Started sometime in 1995. It has never gone away, just fluctuates between worse and worser.