How does a person recover from depression without the aid of medication?

I agree with you, midnightcowboy, that it's not a good idea or positive image to start bashing men, especially here on Drugs.com. I truly didn't want to offend too many men so that's why I prefaced my rants with "most" men...

I disagree with you about the "typical" man. I was drawing from my own personal experiences with "typical" men when I posted here. What you've written hasn't been my total experience previously.

Apologies. I'm sure Mary would agree with me when I tell you that it was just a couple of "old hens" cackling & letting off steam by joking around here.

Depression is a very common & serious disease. We interjected a little brevity to add some lightness & fun to a heavy thread. We didn't want to seem mean or uncaring. I'm sorry if I was perceived that way.
Please don't judge me too harshly for my personal thoughts & opinions.

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Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa.

from Wendy :)

P.S. midnightcowboy, I had already added you as my friend before I saw your comments here. If you don't wish to be associated with me, it's totally understandable. I didn't befriend you for any sinister reasons. It wouldn't necessarily sound like it from these posts but I really am a nice person.

Eliza,

Indeed I do challenge any advice I have questions about. For example you say you "cycle" out of it. Never heard that before. By the way, I've had depression since 1961 just so you know I'm no newbie.

Is it possible you could explain how you cycle out of it? Why am I asking this question? Simple, If you have found a way, we all need to know. If it's just a word you use to describe something you don't have an explanation for then that too is fine.

I will comment on the therapy though. 22 years is way too long. If it doesn't start to help in six months it's time to try something else. How many therapists did you see? Again I ask so others are aware of the facts behind what you say, educational if you like. Nothing personal whatsoever.

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The depression periods you describe are most unusual as mostly when a deep depression arrives, it stays and thus many ARE INDEED stuck with meds for life until they find a way to recover. Because this illness is so varied it is very misleading to think that others will follow your pattern and just recover. They don't, from the deep one.

I get very angry when people mislead others with false hopes. I don't show it on here for obvious reasons but that's the truth. I don't assume everyone has my pattern and neither should you. 28 years and you haven't learnt that yet? Abut time don't you think, to start allowing for the many variations of our shared illness.

What do you call a therapeutic level and for what drugs? My shrink has all that data and I can check it at any time. But I recall most of it anyway.

You have not found any trigger, or cause in 28 years. So why 22 years of therapy? Medical help, certainly but therapy for that long with no result?

About 1/3rd of depressions are estimated to be present at birth so no amount of therapy will ever reveal a cause. That would be genetic. Look it up, look for the "Twins Study" in particular. Not conclusive but the best we have as a reference. Get an MRI and compare it to a depressed person's MRI.

So, in the end you say TMS solved your problem. I'm happy for you but why did you not say that up front to the poster instead of all that other stuff that was of no use to you or her?

Do I have anything positive to give this lady? I gather you haven't read most of my posts on this forum. Or you wouldn't ask that.

Frankly she hasn't given enough information to offer any real advice on but you fired away regardless, making assumptions which are never mentioned except by you. That is not positive. It is misleading.

Your answer should have been the real solution you have found, TMS, not that other meaningless (to all but you) background.

And you last line? Again you are assuming the depression is likely SAD. Where did you get that from?

Your worst possible statement is that she may not need meds for the rest of her life. Doctors can't tell us this so how can you? There is no certainty in any treatment and your history should have made that clear to you.

About time you grew up and started giving answers that help, not mislead.

As to tapering and seeing if you are OK. I do that EVERY time Ihave to change meds. Right? EVERY time as I have hope and we all should. But if something is working you don't just taper it off cos you feel better as you could destroy years of treatment.

When I go without I experience about 2 weeks of feeling it is indeed over. But each time that has worn off and the old feelings return, 6 weeks is the longest before I resume meds.

Even if we do feel better and our meds are stopped we must remain vigilant for life as one episode is usually followed by another, increasingly so as we age. So stopping meds and thinking we're free and clear is our biggest mistake usually.

Try treating these questions and answers as non personal and adress the needs of the poster only. You'll find it changes your point of view and also alows you to learn from others.

Eliza,

If you can't share your experience then what are you doing here at all? You won't share how you "cycled out of depression" and as such I don't believe a word of it. Proof required. Else it's just a misleading statement. A secrety recovery tecnique which you won't share. Means it's rubbish.

I have no interest in your psychiatric history. I am just asking you for proof you know what you are talking about. And, no, I don't have to take your word on anything, or you on mine.

If, after 50 years of having depression, someone raises issues I have never heard of or read about I must question them as they are not the norm at all.

I am trying to help by having you actually explain how you recovered and your final anser is TMS. Puzzle solved. The cycling out is not real at all is it?The rest is meaningless history which serves no purpose.

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No she hasn't said this is her first or only depression actually. She may have a history of it and I suspect that as she says "believes it triggered my depression". Which could mean first or just another repetition. You jump to conclusions too easily and assume. Wrong.

Yes, it very well could be hormonal but once we have had depression it tends to repeat over our lives. Especially as we age. Do you not know that either?

She also didn't say she's a one legged pygmy either, right? Irrelevant but same logic you use.

You really don't read closely do you, just scan for things you can misinterpret. I have said clearly not all suffer for life and indeed even deep depressions, chronic cases, can recover to a peaceful, calm and very liveable level. What I have also said is those who suffer deep depressions often need meds for ife. Nothing wrong with that is there? Is it a crime to have to take meds to live? If so then let all the other drug dependant survivors of all the other diseases know they must also give up their meds. Just taper off and see if you survive, per Eliza's advice. Because you said so! Does cancer ring a bell? Chronic pain? Diabetes? ans so on and so on.

There's nothing different about depression in that regard at all. They are all illnesses, many of which are treated with meds to allow a reasonable level of comfort.

And, yeah, I'm glad you have promised to shut up on this as it's total distraction, not needed at all.

Bet you don't though.

I find it ironic that you suggested Eliza 'grow up'. You are clearly a very bitter, angry person that suffers from years of depression hiding behind the guise of 'helping others' with your years of first hand experience.
To respond in the angry manner in which you have posted does not, in your words, 'address the problem at hand'. You, in a most immature way, went out of your way to attack a member and her intelligence. Again, pot calling the kettle black, wouldn't you say?
I feel it important to bring the following up at your next appointment with your shrink. Please address the following:
1) inability to socialize with others
2) anger and fear of others
3) strong need to be seen as 'important' and 'intelligent'
4) sense of self 'bravado'
5) low self esteem

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Albeit you are seeing your psych for depression, I encourage you to also include the other issues that you struggle with as well. Surely in all of your 49 years of illness (since 1961, correct?) you have sought treatment for these things, but I feel you may need to revisit these problem areas.
I also encourage you to join other websites that can help address these issues
and offer you a forum in which you are able to pound your chest and share your 'helpful' tidbits in a manner in which you are clearly accustomed.
This site is for help, encouragement and support, of which you are clearly lacking.

best to you,
Jillynnie

I will make another comment - oh, my, I broke my promise - so shoot me. Since you've brought it up so many times, and don't seem to understand what I said in my comment - For ME - I cycle in and out of depression, without any triggers that we've been able to find. The depression just stops - it's like a cloud of grey was over my brain and suddenly it's not there. Within a day's time, I can see the colors of the sky, flowers, music sounds wonderful again, my spirit is bright, and - it's over for the time being. Then after awhile - sometimes a short of period of time - the longest was three years, the depression settles in again. I've been to all the experts at Johns Hopkins - endocrinology, psychiatry, neurological, internal medicine - and guess what? I can't remember the name of it, but this happens to other people too.

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Just because you enter a depressive episode does not mean you will have depression all your life unless it's relieved by medication. Also, much of my time in therapy was spent with dealing with the effects of my depression, on me, and my family. Ok - are you happy now? Somehow I sense you won't be -

Well, well Jilly,

You mistake pride for Narcisuss's faults. It has taken many years to like myself after hating myself for so long. If you wish to dwell in that hating zone, feel free. Still attacking the person, what a sad case you must be. Sorry for you, pity, you do have a long way to go yet.

If you can't acknowledge any good things about yourself then I'm here to tell you that you can learn that.

It's not feigned pride etc, they are facts. But I see you are reduced to a sniping comment. Again, sad. Are you qualified to analyse people? Or just make it up. My shrink will laugh when I show him your comments, I always do when people make stupid statements.

Oh Eliza,

Just pointing out what you said and went back on., No surprise there.

So you have a type of depression others have. But you can't remember what it's called now. Rather odd. Most of us know what our diagnosis is. Why don't you?

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Of course having an episode doesn't mean you will stay there for life. Do you think I've been in deep depression for nearly 50 years? No, I have had long periods where I didn't feel it. Had a career, family, travelled the world, travelled Australia, several times for work and pleasure and worked in every city of our great country. But once you've had it then the likelihood is it will repeat and thus many of us choose to stay on meds rather than risk falling into the abyss again. Funny, I think I've written that several times already. Don't you read what is written.

I do hope you don't experience falling back in now that TMS has cured you. I did, a number of times before I learnt to stay vigilant.

Depression IS for life, just not every day or every year. Do you not understand that, after all your years of suffering? Surely you know that, you must. It's basic knowledge.

As to your therapy. What else is it for if not your depression family and relevant issues? Why would you go if not for that? I just think 22 years of it with no result is a touch wasteful of your time and money. Did it reveal anything to you? You haven't said how many therapists you saw in that time but we don't want to pry now, do we?

Happy about what? I don't have any issues to be unhappy or happy about in this thread, just responding to what others write. If you see it as personal then that's up to you.

I do not understand why you keep saying "for ME". If it is for you why are you writing on someone else's thread. Surely you should have one about you instead. I think we all understand that anyone who writes here draws on their own experiences, which is shared FOR OTHERS.

Waiting for the refrain.