Mmd/a-typical Depression Cannot Be Cured?

[heyheyhey]

When they say that these disorders, can't be cured - can anyone help explain what this means please? Does this mean that you will always suffer from low mood? Or will depression come and go in cycles? Not to be all doomy, but does this mean that you'll always feel at least a low level of depression? Does anyone have any understanding of this?

Thanks :)!

 

[LadyZane]

I think it means that like many other diseases, it can't be "erased" or somehow taken away -- instead it's something that we "manage." We learn ways to manage the symptoms with behavioral therapy, meditation, possibly prescription medications, etc; we manage its effects on our lives. I remember a contestant on America's Next Top Model years ago who had lupus, talking about how it was all about "managing" her disease and not letting it stop her from doing the things that were important to her -- and for some reason that stood out to me. Lupus can't be cured either. and flareups of symptoms will happen, but you manage it as best you can and make adjustments as you go.

 

[J'qel]

What she said.

It's all about learning how to live a normal life in spite of it.

Given how much many of us hate it, spiting it sounds like a good idea. :P

 

[joeylittle]

Or will Depression come and go in cycles?

Depression can go into remission - that's the term I'm most familiar with, anyway. Essentially, all the active symptoms are gone and life is at a baseline that feels good. It doesn't mean you can't fall into another depressive episode, but of course with remission, the hope is that you won't.

Depression is considered to be highly treatable. Meaning, a large number of people will be able to bring their depression into remission. Whether or not the word 'cure' is applied starts to get a bit into semantics, because depression is not completely understood - so, knowing where the end-point is (a 'cure') isn't actually possible.

Depending on the type of depression you deal with, remission can be an achievable goal.

 

[heyheyhey]

Thank you everyone for sharing ^_^! I've struggled with it since my teen years and it's come back more strongly since my PTSD developed. The research seems more advanced that what it was ten years ago, when I was first diagnosed and I don't have as much knowledge as I do on PTSD.

I guess when I read it, I was kind of like "this means I will never feel happy?", like you'll always have a dark cloud over you. But I guess it's more like the weather, sometimes it rains, sometimes it shines... Ugh, mental health stuff - I forgot how crappy depression felt :P! Thanks everyone, sorry you're dealing with this as well.

 

[ladee]

Chronic depression is manageable. I never ever take a good day for granted.
I LIVE with it Every day. Its normal for me.
Of I ever have a complete symptom free day...well I would have a heart attack from pure bliss.
But I have many good days and a few great days. I'll take it!.