The question was submitted
07/05/2008
Subject: Can one recover?
Is it possible to recover from depression i.e. with no further episodes? I must say I am loosing a little hope now when I had some before.
What does the research say? And I mean really say not anecdotal interpretation. Specifically about treated depression i.e. treatments with talking therapies medication diet and vitamin control - the lot!
I hear many people on depnet talking about depression as an everyday part of life, just what is and what they need to put up with.
I don't want to live my life this way and I need hope, but am fast running out of it.
many thanks
Answer from DepNet
It is important to remember than many individuals recover from individual episodes of depression.
There are various proven effective treatments for depression, including medication, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Some individuals also recover spontaneously, that is, without any specific treatment being provided. That all said, individuals who have had an episode of what is called Major Depressive Disorder (this is a specific and defined form of depression) are vulnerable to further episodes of this disorder. Exactly which individuals will experience another episode, and how much time they will have between episodes, is impossible to predict with any degree of accuracy. Remaining on treatment as prescribed and reducing behaviours that predispose to depression (such as alcohol and substance abuse) will reduce the risk of relapse.
In your particular case, I would advise speaking to your treating doctor about your concerns about your overall prognosis. If you are not already seeing a specialist in mental health, such as a psychiatrist, I would advise that you request a referral to one, as psychiatrists have expertise in the diagnosis of mental health disorders, and the provision of all forms of treatment for these disorders. Additionally, I would recommend referral to a clinical psychologist (if you are not seeing one already) with the aim of receiving specialised psychological therapy for your depression.
Whilst diet, exercise and nutrition are important for all people (including those with depression), there is not a lot of evidence to suggest that there are specific diet or nutrition treatments for depression.
The answer was published on DepNet
14/05/2008