[knopssos]

TL;DR I have had major depression for a long time due to childhood, and recently coming out of it I feel empty, like I don't know myself. Has anyone ever been in this position, and can offer any advice?

I have PTSD/Anxiety disorder from childhood abuse, and I just recently have got to a point after taking meds and working on myself for a year, that I feel okay. But, in a weird way I feel like I don't know who I am now, or what that even means. I was depressed for years upon years, and it was almost like that pre-occupied me, and now that I'm better I feel, empty, It's almost like the depression and dealing with it and the things that caused it was my life, and now I'm in the process wondering who I am. I still like my old hobbies, and I generally can get some enjoyment out of older things. But what defined me before, I guess, was just surviving, and now that surviving is second nature I feel lost. I'd appreciate any advice, maybe it's just growing pains now that I'm able to live and grow.

[Skeezyks]

Hello knopssos: Well... I don't know as there is much in the way of advice I can offer you, although I certainly know the feeling. However, in my case, I'm an older person & I'm not searching for ways to fill the void. It simply is what it is.

I see this is your first post here on PC. So... to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

[MickeyCheeky]

If you struggle with depression for a long time, you pretty mich get used to it.. and it's harder to find your true self oonce you feel better. Do you see a therapist?

I feel this way. I just came out of a really bad depressive episode and struggle with who I am as a not depressed person. I've been going to therapy, working on visiting friends, doing activities that I like and just trying to figure it out.

[knopssos]

Originally Posted by MickeyCheeky

If you struggle with depression for a long time, you pretty mich get used to it.. and it's harder to find your true self oonce you feel better. Do you see a therapist?

I know the void is something I've lived with for a long time, but it feels like I'm out of a depressive state for the first time in years, it feels like don't know who I really am and maybe like I'm meant to discover what I am and what that means I go to a therapist once a week and I haven't communicated this yet, but I intend to next week because it's really poignant now.

[knopssos]

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

Hello knopssos: Well... I don't know as there is much in the way of advice I can offer you, although I certainly know the feeling. However, in my case, I'm an older person & I'm not searching for ways to fill the void. It simply is what it is.

I see this is your first post here on PC. So... to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

Thank you for the welcome! I'm turning my life around currently, I'm 25 and I guess that's not that old, but it feels like the void needs to be filled, like I'm meant to fix myself and discover myself. I just was wondering if anyone else has had this happen and could relate. I definitely hope to use the site, I don't have much of a aupport network yet so it'd be nice to get some help and give some help somewhere.

[knopssos]

[QUOTE=TheSadGirl;5538210]I feel this way. I just came out of a really bad depressive episode and struggle with who I am as a not depressed person. I've been going to therapy, working on visiting friends, doing activities that I like and just trying to figure it out.[/QUOT

That's sort of what I'm doing, I had to give up my friends because they were a negative part of my life, but even alone I figure if I work on it I'll find out who I am, just is hard to do it, especially alone.

[profound_betrayal]

Welcome to PC.
The answers are here - the actions for recovery are the challenge.

I hope that you find the resources that help break the reinforced thinking patterns over the years. Those that keep you trapped today.
There is a lot of info. on the website & in the forums. hope you find what is useful & vent here whenever you need to (of course)
Good luck to you.

[Thunder Bow]

..."But what defined me before, I guess, was just surviving, and now that surviving is second nature I feel lost. I'd appreciate any advice, maybe it's just growing pains now that I'm able to live and grow."....

You hit the nail on the head here. That is why depression is a feeling that likes to be re-enforced. It is all related to survival. A Vision Quest would help now. Learn about who you are bu doing things you like doing. Making Art is a good way to learn about yourself. Meditation can also help.