Posted by ChrisK on March 10, 2001, at 5:36:49
In reply to What does it feel like when you are cured?, posted by J on March 10, 2001, at 1:43:01
I don't consider myself as "cured" so much as relieved. I htink one day about a month ago I looked back at my day and realized that I had felt the full range of emotions. There were times of the day when I was "normal" and laughed at funny things and actually enjoyed having a conversation with someone. For the first time in a long time I looked at my wife when we were just watching TV and had a warm feeling, thinking that I was lucky to have her in my life.
I'm 37 and have been treated on and off for depression for the last 20 years. I'm not sure what "normal" is but I do know that I have emotions that have been locked up for a long time.
I don't believe that there is any magic happy pill for anyone but there are meds that can give us a fighting chance. I may have just finally gotten lucky and found the right combo to restore my sanity somewhat. I'm not suicidal anymore, I don't have uncontrolled crying fits, I don't isolate, I get out of the house and have actually started a part time job, I can go out to dinner, I joined a dart league and have something resembling a social life.
Some day when you are "cured" you will find things start to fall into place. These things no longer seem like a great effort. It's taken me 3 years since I've been with my current pdoc and since my last suicide attempt. Everything isn't perfect but it's better than anything I can remember in my adult life.
I just want you to know thatthere is hope. I still hang around here because I think I have something to offer other people. I'm hoping that my current med combo continues to work well and I won't have to start looking for something new. It's been a long time coming and it is a great relief.
Wishing the best for you,
Chris> I've been pondering this question for the past hour, so I've decided to put it to the group. When you've suffered from depression for a long time, how do you know when you're cured? Like all of you, I'm desparately seeking the right meds that will "cure" me, but I really don't know what to expect from a supposedly normal life. Assuming I find some miraculous drug cocktail that knocks out all the symptoms of my disorder, then what? How do I separate the sick parts of my life from the healthy? What is the line that separates normal feeling and emotions from the depression that I'm trying to cure?
>
> I've oversimplified my questions to shorten this post, but I hope everyone understands what I'm trying to say.
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> J.
poster:ChrisK
thread:56097
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010310/msgs/56112.html