[malika138]

I saw my first therapist in 3rd grade so this depression thing is not new. I cannot count the number of major depressive episodes I've had in my 50 years and I need two hands to count the number of hospitalization. So, what is the goal?

Is a cure even reasonable? Or do I hope for a remission, living in constant knowledge that it could come back at any time, or simply management with meds and therapy, acknowledging the depression is a deep river running through me, millimeters to meters below the surface? If it is the latter, does this mean meds and therapy forever? Sometimes this feels so confusing.

[MickeyCheeky]

I think what most are trying to accomplish is manage our problems and try to lead a normal life. I wouldn't lose all hope for a cure, too: many people do get out of it

[whoamihere]

My goal is management as there currently is no cure. Maybe someday..

[malika138]

Originally Posted by whoamihere

My goal is management as there currently is no cure. Maybe someday..

So, does management look like staying on meds and in therapy indefinitely? I feel bad that I think I will be in therapy forever because I feel like if I were to stop then I'd go sliding super fast into the deep depths of depression. But then there is this notion that therapy and meds should only be a short-term thing.

[Rohag]

Have you ever transitioned from one medication to another? What was your experience then?

Has there ever been a time where you stopped meds and/or therapy completely? If so, what happened?

[Merlin]

My goal from treatment is functioning. I want to be able to meet my other goals in life.
I’m not sure if there will ever be a cure so I will gladly take remission, and if I have to take meds for the rest of my life, I can cope.

[maybeblue]

I think that there are two kinds of depression maybe. Some people have one major depressive episode and then don't have another for years and year or maybe never. But others of us have them over and over. I have no idea how many I've had either, but a lot. I figure it's always going to be something I have to worry about. It's a chronic condition for me like diabetes or high blood pressure.

For me managing my disease means paying attention to symptoms of it getting worse and having a plan for if/when it does. I don't see getting off of medication any time soon. I don't go to therapy every week all the time, and there have been some long stretches where I didn't go at all. However, I kind of like having a therapist that I trust that I can see if I need to. I was down to about every 6 weeks, but then some things came up so I'm talking to someone more frequently right now.

I guess maybe the key is to try to enjoy the time between major episodes. And I have learned some things that keep them from getting as bad or coming up as frequently as they did 20 years ago.