Posted by noa on February 7, 2004, at 13:55:50
In reply to Re: Life after depression., posted by sexylexy on February 6, 2004, at 19:54:51
Jukesy, I think there are many different experiences reflected on this board.
First, remember that some of the people who were depressed and are happier now don't post regularly on the boards anymore.
For me, it's not been a straight line. When I was younger, I saw depression as something I would overcome forever. And I did get better, but I have a chronic form of the illness, so there have been recurrences. But after a very bad period of time, I did start getting better again. It was hard to find the right combination of medicines for me, and then after the major depression was in remission, I had to start essentially rebuilding my life again.
I'm doing much better now. I still struggle sometimes with milder depression (dysthymia), which I've concluded is going to be part of my life always, but I have learned, and am continuing to learn, how to cope with it, how to not let it set off worse depressions or the kind of major anxiety about being depressed that had developed over the course of years of getting better and worse and better and worse and not feeling I could predict things. Now, I am better at not getting bent out of shape by a low mood or bad day or even a few bad days.
Breaking some of the lifestyle habits developed during years of bad depression continues to be a work in progress for me.
But you are young. My advice is that you build up the kinds of support systems and healthy preventive strategies that will help sustain your well being, and make these a regular part of your life. And don't be too bummed if a depressed mood comes along once in a while. It doesn't have to mean a recurrence. Hopefully you don't have the recurrent type of illness, too. But if you keep in mind that you have the vulnerability, you can embrace a lifestyle that maximizes prevention.
The idea of happiness, too, is worth examining. The founders of the US talked about the right to the *pursuit* of happiness, which I think is wise. I think even the happiest people are not happy 100% of the time--it is something that has to be constantly worked on and maintained and sought after. I used to look at non-depressed people and it looked so easy for them to be happy--kind of like watching ballet--with the grace that the dancers show, it can look like it is so easy for them to do, but in reality, we know that they have worked, and are working very hard to create that illusion.
I think happiness is a process. And it requires enjoying the little moments and valuing them. I used to think that I had to get to some achievement, some particular state or goal, in order to be happy--or that some goal would make me happy. Now I see it as a collection of smaller moments of happiness, and of working toward a life where the balance tips in favor of those happy moments, but to feel happy, one has to achieve enough self-acceptance and not expect those external success markers to be responsible for one's happiness.
The absence of depression isn't equivalent to happiness, but successful treatment of depression sure helps to eliminate that major barrier to one's pursuit of happiness.
poster:noa
thread:309199
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040204/msgs/310552.html