[glok]

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." An important consequence of this definition is that mental health is more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities. Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. WHO | Mental health: strengthening our response

re·mis·sion (r-mshn)n.
1. Abatement or subsiding of the symptoms of a disease.
2. The period during which the symptoms of a disease abate or subside.

PsychCentral has a forum for Depression Success Stories here: Depression Success Stories - Forums at Psych Central There also is a sub-forum for Anxiety Success Stories here: Anxiety Success Stories - Forums at Psych Central

Even so, I have my doubts sufferers can completely recover from or be cured of mental disorders. For me remission is the better term. The success stories attest to the necessity of the person being committed to getting better. Resilience, a strong will and perseverance are requisites too.

A more recent trend is for mental health professionals to have their clients decide what they consider a cure or recovery. The factors listed in the WHO definition of mental health are good guidelines.

These articles discuss cure and recovery:

What does recovery mean? | One in Four Magazine
How Do You Cure Mental Illness? | World of Psychology
What's Involved in Mental Health Recovery? | World of Psychology

What do you think? Have you determined what you would consider a recovery or cure?

[Maria38Divine]

I haven't read the articles, but for me recovery would be the following:
a. Being able to feel again, i.e. no more numbness or apathy.
b. Enjoying the activities I used to, wanting to be outdoors and with people.
c. Getting back my appetite.
d. Getting back my memory.

Anything else on top of those would be gravy.

[gayleggg]

I agree, in that, I don't feel I will ever be cured. It is just a matter of where I'm at on the depression scale at the moment.

I would consider myself to be in remission if I could enjoy the little things that I used to do and be rid of the negative thoughts that plague me constantly. Have the energy to get out and do things, even if it's just every once in a while.

[SeekerOfLife]

Thanks for this Glok!

[brainhi]

I do not think "cure" is the best word to use. How do you "cure" getting older? You got what was dealt to you - with the help of environmental influences. You "learn" how to make it better with what ever help is available. The biggest problem with the brain is that there is no single approach that works with everybody. It has gotten better - im my mom's day - you should have seen what they did to her.

[Ripose]

It is to difficult for me to say what I would consider a cure because I am so deeply mired in my current state of suffering. The best I can do is hoping that on some days I feel a little better than usual.

[PoorPrincess]

Interesting thread topic for discussion.

[lizardlady]

Glok, I don't have the wherewithall to read the articles today. I have to agree thought that the word "remission" fits better for me than "cure." My depression is never going to go awya. Like gayleggg said, I'm always going to be somewhere on the spectrum. With my meds I have few symptoms, but it is always there in the background.