Is there a way to live with it?

Is there a way to somehow accept depression as a constant companion and live with it?

I'm worried I will run out of resources and time to get treatment.

Hello Verumondo: Well... at the risk of sounding as though I'm proselytizing... (I'm not) yes there is at least one way. It is the ancient Tibetan practice called "Lojong" or "mind training". And it is thoroughly & eloquently delineated in the writings of the American Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön. Ani Pema has many wonderful books in print. However her book: Start Where You Are- A Guide to Compassionate Living (Shambhala Publications) is a veritable user's manual for anyone wanting to learn to accept themselves just as they are. (By the way, there are some tantalizing (I hope) quotes from Ani Pema's book in my bio here on PC.)

Depression & anxiety, among other things, are things I've struggled with. And I've tried to get rid of myself twice. So this is serious business for me. I've been on psych med's. And I've tried seeing a few different therapists over the years. None of it amounted to much of anything really. Lojong is where it's at for me. And one doesn't have to become a Buddhist to employ the practices. It does take commitment though. I've read & re-read Ani Pema's books over-&-over, adopted the practices to the best of my ability, & I'm still learning. I've underlined important passages, written in the margins & dog-eared the pages. It takes that kind of commitment. But it's worth the effort. It works. :yahoo

By the way, if you're interested, there are many videos on YouTube of talks Ani Pema has given over the years. She just turned 80 & she's now on a one year retreat.

I'm sure there is a way to accept living with depression, but I'm not going to give into that yet. I know what it like to be normal. I was never depressed a day in my life until I was in my 30's. I just can't accept it. There has to be an answer. I've tried all kinds of antidepressants and they just seem to make it worse for me. At first it seems like they are working and then after several months they don't anymore. My doc wants me to join a support group. I guess that is what I will do. At least I could talk to other human beings that suffer from depression. I'd rather for now go online rather than leave my safe place.

I have lived with depression for at least 28 years. I have been told it's at least partly down to my personality.
I don't like it, but some days I deal with it better than others. I did have a good period for a few years where depression was less and I was able to have a reasonable quality of life and find things to be happy about and grateful for.
I hope you get at least as well as that!!
Living with depression is HARD but needn't always be as hard it is today.

Best of luck and good wishes.

Soon FDA will be releasing medication for treatment resistant depression that is said to help within hours of taking dose, it's called Ketamine it is used to put people and animals to sleep but it has been being tested at clinics and it works , giving hope too a bunch of people also Suboxone which is used get people off opiates has shown promise and some psychiatrist are using it now good luck I'm James Tilley

I'm trying to focus on reducing my expectations of life and people. I'm a perfectionist and a control freak. This causes a lot of emotional pain, as you can imagine.

By making a few behavioral changes, like reducing expectations, perhaps we can handle living with depression until some new antidepressant is released.

Also, I accept the fact that I'll always be prone to depression, and I try to figure out the triggers. One thing is anger. When I get angry with myself, I get angry with the world and depressed because life is so difficult to handle. I need to learn to be easier on myself.

Verumondo,
Depression is like an evil spirit. Persistent, haunting, undying.
Let it live within me, let it be my deciding factor, let it he my reasoning.
Let this depression run its course, carrying me now.
Just as love with its beauty would guide me.
I will not ask there is this dark side of life, simply by its presence
I know, for me it is necessary. Therefore I will not degrade or demean
this feeling by pretending it does not exist or is fatally harming.
Rather I shall submit to its will, and carry it with me.
Depression will be with me now.
But I will survive and see the sun rise and set again.

.

I hope you find resources and medication soon. I know it's hard to live with depression as a constant companion. I know it doesn't make me the most upbeat friend to tag along but we have to keep trying.

Every response speaks to me. Thank you. I challenge myself every minute to live with my depression and whatever else is there--anxiety, etc--with some acceptance, grace. Every minute. I send you all my compassion about this. And my hope that if we each listen and watch, the right personal resource will present itself.

I'm sorry I haven't come around for a long time. I really appreciate all your replies.

This resonates with me when depression gives me creative inspiration... although I'm not sure if that is a good thing

New here, in similar situation. Non-existent, or poor health care. Meds not working, etc. Are you near water? Esp fast moving water, some where in Nature where you will not be disturbed. Sit as close to the Water for as long as you can, without getting too tired. Try to see how the water impacts your depression. I know~ sounds silly? Nature is really good for folks like us. Very healing.
Blessed Be

I guess so? I've lived with it since I was 7. But I don't feel like I'm "living". I've had some better years, some worse years... My p nurse decided I'm treatment resistant. I guess I am. I'm not even sure I care. But ultimately I do care deep down- I just can't access that. Right now, laying in bed and watching the clouds is what I can manage 80% of the time.
Hugs