Stay well

When you have recovered fully, you will be anxious to get on with your life. You will want to get back to the same level of functioning that you had before your illness.

The idea of wanting to recover fully and quickly is understandable. But you should still take care of yourself during this critical phase.

You may find it easier to understand this if you compare your depression with a physical illness. Imagine that you have broken your thigh bone, and that your leg has been in plaster for three months. When the plaster is removed, your thigh muscles will be weak. You have not been active for three months. Only once the thigh muscles have been strengthened through exercise will you be able to use the leg again.

In the same way, you will also need to get yourself "mentally fit again" after a depression. If you have been admitted for depression, you may now be at the point of  discharge. This is a positivey event, but it may also cause some anxiety.

You may be asking yourself:
 • Can I cope?
 • Have I really recovered?
 • Can I function normally again?

Remember that you are still vulnerable. It is therefore vital that you take care of yourself.

Talk to your doctor about when it would be appropriate for you to return to work or college as the case may be. You may need to take some sick leave until you are well enough to do this.

You should of course also continue taking your medicine, even if it is tempting to stop when you are feeling better. As a general rule, you should continue taking your medicine for at least six months after you have recovered fully. This period of six months applies to everyone who has not suffered from depression before, but if you have been depressed before, or if the depression has been complicated, you may need to continue taking your medicine for longer.

Your doctor will be able to tell you more accurately when you should stop taking your medicine.
By continuing to take your medicine as prescribed and, where appropriate, having psychotherapy, you are more likely to prevent a relapse. Its best to keep in close contact with your doctor during this period.

Perhaps you were previously unable to benefit from psychotherapy, because you were too ill to begin this. Perhaps now is a good time to consider psychotherapy, your doctor can advise and refer you to the appropriate therapy.

Read more about psychotherapy here.