[hisarmor67]

I know you don't grow out of depression, if only you could. Itwould be a time to look forward to. Depression last a lifetime. I'm 50 and do not look forward to being depressed. yes, as we know there are good days or weeks. I have even had some months in a row, so like what am I complaining for ?? I know so many people have it so much worse. Just looking for a pity party as my friends joke to me. I don't think they feel the same kind of heart pain or loneliness.

hisarmor67
My Dad and son and my sister have all had depression.
My Dad suffered on and off
but did find ways to cope
My son has had prolly 3 kinda large events with it
like you said he has good days and bad ones/
My sister has prolly had it all her life.
she at last I think is coping threw therpy

In each of thier cases I know they needed someone to listen
Its not a pity party...
you just need to speak about it and have ppl hear you
and find ways to cope with the bad days
I hope you do there are alot of links here
Your friends should not joke about it
thats the last thing you need
muffy

[kebsfroggy]

As you said there is no real end to depression. My pdoc and I have had this conversation many many times. Now he is at least honest enough to medicate me based on the premise of making me a comfortable as possible. As opposed to medicate to feel better.

Yes and I know I've had several of those pity parties too. My life is such that I have no reason (good or bad) for being depressed, but it's still there.

So how do you continue to have hope when there are no answers?

[DOWNINNATICK]

I'm sorry I don't have any answers for you, but I've been told you will have depression the rest of your life, but you can go into remission, which can last days, months or years. I sometimes hug my a bear that says hugs, free hugs, get them here, it helps for a little while. Other things they tell me is to excercise, write what your feeling in a log and release your feelings, or get a box write your feeling on a card or paper and put it into the box and let it go. I hope you find a way to comfort your self, it sucks to feel down all the time.

Take care, better days are coming.

[ECHOES]

Interesting question.

Learning about yourself in therapy, the growth that is achieved there, the relationship with the therapist, all can help relieve depression greatly.

I don't see my recurrent depression ever leaving completely because it is the way I respond to things in life, but I do see it becoming very managable and less distressing.

<font color="blue"> </font> Your kinda right about friends joking, but really some friends dont know what your thinking and going thru personally. That is the truth. I am going thru one heck of a time right now myself and battle bipolar, social anxiety and self injury. Its very hard.

If you ever need an ear I am always around buddy.

Take Care
Mikey/PA

[AAAAA]

Hisarmor67,

Granted there are people on this earth that are much worse and much better than we are doing right now. But just because they are worse does not diminish what we’re feeling. It still sucks to be depressed, it still interferes with our life and prevents us from being happy and content.

Someone that hasn’t experienced this personally has a hard time understanding how awful it makes us feel. I get so angry when someone irl says “look at how many things you have in your life to be grateful for.” Duh, I know! And that makes it even more frustrating. Don’t you think I’d like to just turn the depression off? Do you think I enjoy feeling this way? That I wouldn’t give my right arm not to have to deal with this on a daily basis?

Look at the things that we endure to attempt to get it under control. We take medication that causes huge amounts of weight gain (more depression) and many other side effects. Gee, I’m not as depressed anymore, but sex, well honey on these pills it’s about as fulfilling as doing the laundry. Appointments out the wahzoo with the doctor, whom I really love, but it causes anxiety attacks.

Do I have any reason to be depressed, no, but its still there, every day! It is the one thing in my life that I can count on. Boy would I like to wake up tomorrow and have it gone. So we have a right to a pity party from time to time, we’ve earned it.

[Lenny]

Hi hisarmor67....

Very good question.

I don't think depression is like the shoes of a twelve year old but I think it can be more like a unwelcome guest that will only be permitted to stay a bit...

It is important to remember that we represent a very small tip of an unbelieveably immense iceburg...

We are seeking help and in a variety of ways...

Most live and die with depression without ever knowing that what makes them feel like dying is a condition,,a state of mind brought on by chemicals, circumstances, upbringing and /or a poorly balanced gene or two...

There is hope,,yes sometimes fleeting and almost always filled with frustration and set backs...

But with a good PDOC, a well studied regimen of medication that is balanced to the individual,,excercise,,healthy life styles/choices, a supportive circle of family and friends, and of course the decision of the sufferer to commit to finding solutions..remarkable progress can be made...

But your right it does seem unjust and hellishly unfair to have to feel that feeling of hopelessness...

Lenny

[jrae]

<font color="#008800"> hisarmor67,

hey. i'm 23 years old, but i have never known a day without depression. i've had it most of my life. will i ever out grow it? you are right, that would be a nice thought. i have yet to find something that helps me. and the thought of going 60 years with this struggle terrifies me. my thought is this: 'it's the hand i've been dealt. now all i can do is make the most of it.'

jrae</font>