Verified answer

I don't believe that there is a cure for some people, only forms of controlling the depression. Some people will have 'depressive episodes,' which are sometimes short-term and often go away after treatment. That's a bit different from being "cured" though. I've been on and off medication for the last six years or so, and have been depressed most of my life.

I find that it's about making a constant effort to keep your head above water. This can be done through exercise, diet, and in being conscious of your way of thinking. Don't ever let yourself be self-indulgent, no matter how bad you feel. Get up off the couch and distract yourself. Constantly search for inspiration and motivation, and keep setting goals and rewarding yourself. Understand that there will be good days and bad days, and don't despair when you go through a rough patch. If the depression wins for a while, that's ok - don't be too hard on yourself. Just keep on trying.

If it sounds exhausting, it is sometimes, unless you look at it like a mission. It makes you stronger. And I am living a good and happy life, with depression.

NB: Don't be afraid of medication, these days a lot of them have little to no side effects, and depression is an illness. They are by no means "happy pills," but often will just stop you from being in that despairing place where you can't think or function, so that you can start putting your life back together. I personally couldn't survive without them.

I feel EXACTLY the same way. I have always felt unhappy, but it has worsened recently (about a year ago) and I feel nothing at all for the most part.That's what happens when your hopes and dreams are crushed. I've been to psychologists, which didn't help since I know why I am unhappy and there is no "fixing" the problem there. I have been on Zoloft, and it made me feel dead inside. I have set up an appointment with a psychiatrist next month because I don't want to feel like this anymore. Doing something is a step in the right direction. Even if it results in pills (not Zoloft!), at this point, chemical happiness is better than none at all. Doing anything, talking to someone, seeing a psychiatrist, seeing a therapist, is a good start. Try to find something that works for you.

edit: I would like to note that optimism is in effect a mental illness by definition. See the world as it is, not as a fantasy. I could never be one. I am a depressive REALIST.

Yes. Fortunately those who tend towards negativity can "reprogram" their brains. I read an excellent article about this a few months ago in Psychology today, plus there are a number of other articles on the web. My therapist as well mentioned it. Sometimes, having a negative view on life emphasizes that area of your brain and continues the cycle. Psychologists are now finding that you can train yourself and your brain chemicals to do the opposite! It takes time, but it is possibe and relatively easy to train yourself into optimism and a happier outlook.

In my case, lifelong depression seems to be genetic in some ways, but I have also lived with 30 years of self-esteem crushing abuse- verbal, physical and emotional from my mother then my husband. No wonder I have a lifetime of depression and headaches! I am working now to retrain my thoughts, reactions and feelings. I feel good about my plan and there is plenty of psychological evidence to back it up. By removing poisonous people from my life and focusing on the positive, I will never allow anyone to abuse me again!

I am very similar to you in what you describe, down to not taking meds unless there's severe pain or infection.

I wont type out everything, but I suggest:

read the following article and do some searches on learning positivity etc,

eat and sleep well, exercise, take time to relax and pamper yourself, make a list of great things in your life, notice at least three things to appreciate daily, talk to a therapist about cognitive behavioral therapy (a pro-active way to tackle problems,) simply your life and learn to say "no" to nonessential things that you don't want to do

First find out if anybody in your family have or have had this kind of illness. Medication is a must. Don't let it worsen. Depression is really harmful to your body. It is said to be worse than a bad heart condition.

Self help books you can read are:"Conversation with God"by Nell Donald Walsh and I highly recommend reading "The power of now" from Eckart Tolle. It got me out of my inferno!

Good luck. I know it's very painful and I feel for you, but remember that sometimes the bad things in our lives can actually be our salvation.

Know that you are not alone. There is great love surrounding you.

This is very touching to me because I know what you are going through. Read the books. Love

by telling us about your problem you are already doing something positive about it keep going looking for answers and you will find them

let me tell you something that has worked for me it has to do with not thinking always about you sometimes it happens that you give to much importance to material things,like MONEY and that's not the way to go the only things that help us is always interact with friends,and becoming more involved with a very positive religion that will help you relax your spirit and soul the lord has helped me a lot to fell better .can depression be know but i have had it for almost 8 years and iam improving by not getting scared and accepting the symptoms that come with it,ldizzinessines.nausea.fast heart palpitations,fear ,tiredness i have taken paxil,not good for me then i got zoloft it worked for me for a while when i felt that i was felling better i stoped taking it after all you dont want to get addicted to medicine,!oh a couple more symptoms about you problem would be shortness of breath,maybe thats of suicide,take it from me depression is only your mind trying to play tricks with you put it aside and keep living your life, and remember you are not alone with your problem alot of people have it as well.

once you get depressed you can't ever be cured but it can help with meds to control and nearly get rid of it and that is when you feel great but dont' ever miss take that for feeling well and ok its there while the meds are there go have another check up and find out what can help more maybe or stronger maybe that is what you need.

There's no way to "cure" it.

My best friend has suffered from chronic depression for almost 8 years now.

She attends therapy and takes anti-depressants.

No cure for me. Effexor does help though. And as effexor helps my mood, that helps me to improve my situation, which in turn improves my emotional well-being more. So I find myself slowly getting life back.

Depression is only caused by the one who has it you just need to cope and dont wine speak up for yourself and if something goes wrong or someone does something to stress you out just mute them out for a second ,