Once you suffer with depression does it mean you have got it for life or is there a way of combating it?

Answer:
Follow your doctors advice and i am sure it can go.

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If you don't figure out what has you depressed you could. Once you find that out you can battle back. Just don't medicate the crap out of yourself for the next 10 years and then realize your not happy with your husband! Get some therapy and see if they can help you figure it out. Make sure you are keeping a good diet also.. You would be surprised how much that could affect that!

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Yes,it can be treated. you need to be evaluated and treated by a Psychiatrist to see if cognitive therapy will help, or if you need drugs. It can be a life time issue. I have had re-occurring bouts of depression. I know the starting signs and go back to my Psychiatrist to see why.

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there is a way of combating it and that is to understand that it wont get better until you make a choice . you put a step forward and say that this is not going to make me lose, say it several times and understand that it wont. then you think about how you matter more than anyone (even family) because if youre not well , then youre no good to them and then you make a change, whether it is seeing a certified psychiatarist or psychologist , trying out exercise or yoga , or just evaluating and understanding whats happening. you may not understand but this will make your subconscious think that you can get better and with time you will. think that im going to get quality back into my world and my family's or whatever that matters to me because im not going down without a fight. i hope you realise that you dont have a choice , you have to win. and just one more thing pretty, remember that you wont die, no bad will come to you or your family, just try and you win , trust me.

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In my case it's for the duration, have suffered chronic depression for the better part of 40 years, I'm 58. I've made significant progress in the last few years but the reality is that it probably will follow me to my grave.

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I became depressed in 1988 and I am still on meds.

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Once you've been depressed, then there is evidence to indicate that you remain a little more susceptible for the rest of your life. However, this is nothing to concern yourself over, as a prescription of mild anti-depressants usually sorts it out in no time. If you're suffering depression, you will get over it if it's treated properly.

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It depends; there are different types of depression.

Many people - me included! - develop depression following a prolonged period of stress and trauma. Anti depressants and/or therapy can both help enormously, and often after six months or a year of medication, it's possible to lower, and then stop, the medication totally, and be totally fine.

Some people, however, have more of a general tendency towards depression, either because it may run in their family, or because of their chemical make up; they may have to take anti depressants on and off for years.

Other things can help depression; cognitive behavioural therapy, eating a healthy diet, getting a bit of exercise, avoiding stressful relationships.

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