Can depression be cured or only managed ?

[Heyo]

Here's an article that describes the various forms of depression. The whole subject is complicated and not easy to generalize about.

Types of Depression

There are many types of depression. They share some symptoms but affect people differently. WebMD explains various types of depression and their treatments.

www.webmd.com

I have recently had an episode of what the article calls "situational" depression or "reactive" as I've heard before. It's where something outside oneself causes the mood, my case the recent election. I'm coming out of it as the days go by. I find that's a normal pattern for reactive depression. It would be very different where the depressive factor/s go away totally. For example, if I were to be diagnosed with some nasty disease, but subsequent tests show the diagnosis to be false. In that case I cheer up right away.

Some people get that they are depressed at the moment, but deny they that they have depression. I.e. people who have been in the loony bin, but don't continue therapy/medication afterwards. Two years later, they are in the hospital again with a "new" depression, not realising that it's still the same.

 

[Vinayaka]

Do you think some of the denial is the stigma attached?

Absolutely. There are some people who just don't know it, as they're so used to it, but also others who are way too proud to admit it. The stigma for any mental illness is ridiculous, in my view. If you get a broken leg, it's fine, but anxiety, well then there's something wrong with you. It's okay to take painkillers or heart meds for physical stuff, but if your brain is out of whack, then you're supposed to 'deal' with it. I remember being part of the Ritalin debate.

 

[JustGeorge]

Absolutely. There are some people who just don't know it, as they're so used to it, but also others who are way too proud to admit it. The stigma for any mental illness is ridiculous, in my view. If you get a broken leg, it's fine, but anxiety, well then there's something wrong with you. It's okay to take painkillers or heart meds for physical stuff, but if your brain is out of whack, then you're supposed to 'deal' with it. I remember being part of the Ritalin debate.

I've thought that, too.

Though, there are times when both physical and mental meds are prescribed when another avenue might be more appropriate.

I had some heart meds prescribed I didn't really need, and they did more harm than good.

 

[Vinayaka]

I've thought that, too.

Though, there are times when both physical and mental meds are prescribed when another avenue might be more appropriate.

I had some heart meds prescribed I didn't really need, and they did more harm than good.

I think docs are just taking very educated guesses. I've been misdiagnosed a couple of times as well. One needs to be assertive in that realm of life. One guy was going to take a biopsy without my knowledge and permission, but he stepped back once I asked why. Quite often they have to do trial and error to get it right ... dosage level, etc. Again, it all speaks to the diversity of people.