Is Depression temporary or a life-long disorder?

I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder since the fall of 2005. I have been on and off my medication. Whenever I am off of them, I will always revert back to my depressed self. Am I going to have to take antidepressants for my whole life? Also, I take Seroquel for OCD and anxiety and other things like that. I stopped taking that on my own free will, because it knocks me out and I can hardly get up. Now, I have very, very stressful dreams where I wake up sweating and stressed and my head hurts. Also, I have been dizzy all of the time and I shiver a lot. I ask people if it is cold, and they are ALL fine! My anxiety is back, and everyone has noticed a difference in me since I came back from the hospital that I was in for almost a month and a half due to this Depression and stuff. Excuse my excessive typing, but that is my question. Thank you for answering! ^_^

Is Depression temporary or a life-long disorder?
Depression is not necessarily a life long disorder. Depression can last years for some people. Major depression can happen to a person once when they are 23 and never again. It's really very dependant on a lot of things. Because you have other issues like anxiety and ocd, I would think that this is partially a cause of your depression. Being constantly worried is depressing in itself. This is partially why depression and anxiety are related.





I cannot tell you if you'll be taking meds for the rest of your life. I'm not a doctor or a psychologist and I don't really know what to say. In my mind, I would think that unless your depression is very severe, it would be best to work on removing the anxiety from your life first because like I said anxiety causes depression, but again I don't know you, why you are depressed and I'm not your doctor let alone a doctor!





Personally, I've had depressive episodes every 2 to 3 years like clock work since I was about 7 years old. They last a few months to just under a year and then I'm 'magically' all better. I simply have to fight it from making me behave like an idiot and wait it out.





EDIT: Yes, yes that chemical imbalance talk. Well, everything in our minds is a chemical reaction. My ability to type to you and think is a chemical reaction, but no one is sure which comes first when it comes to depression. Is it the depressive thinking and behaviour that leads to this chemical imbalance and depressive feelings or not? All we know is that this chemical imbalance is a symptom of depression. People love drugs. People love treating symptoms and wearing masks. If depression really was this hopeless chemical imbalance then why does something like CBT have the same sucess rate as antidepressant medication? Answer me that.
Reply:depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, the meds keep them in balance (no pun intended) it doesn't just go away, you don't just "outgrow" it
Reply:life-long unless medicine that corrects the chemical imbalance PERMANENTLY comes out.
Reply:Given your physical complaints when taking the drugs you have been prescribed, it would be a reasonable thing to go back to your Psychiatrist, and explain these side-effects to him. It would also be reasonable to believe that he will either adjust the dosage of what you are currently taking, or change you to a different medication.


Finding the medication and the dosage that will work best for you can take some time, in a trial-and-error approach. We each react to medications differently. What may work for one person may not be as effective for the next.





Hearing that you spent so much time in the hospital, your depression must be pretty serious. Try to be patient with your Dr. as they find what will really work for you. It is not wise to go off your medications on your own, The depression will come back.





It is difficult to say if you will always need the anti-depressant medications. Usually if a person does not start to make the brain chemicals needed in a year or two with the help of medication, then you will likely need to continue taking the medications in order to be functional in your life.
Reply:it sounds like it may be a life long disorder but then again maybe not that is something that you should talk to your doctor about. if the medication that you take is to much than maybe the doctor can get you on something that works for you because you want to be able to function. however you shouldn't stop taking the medication without the help from your doctor because sometimes there can be bad side effects from that i have severe anxiety and depression and i take lexapro and klonopin and that helps me alot however seroquel can be sedating. most people i know take that in the evenings to help them sleep. hope this helps and good luck
Reply:My personnel experience with depression medication is like every thing else you become immune and usually increase the dose .


But at some point you just need a new brand. I have been for paxil, wellbrutrin , ?, effoxor, but most importantly , DO NOT DISCONTINE ON YOUR OWN YOU MUST WEEN YOURSELF OFF OFF(MOST PRODUCTS) some can trigger stroke, and worst mood swings ans headaches It is one condition you really need to interact with your Doctor!! when you first feel the blues , MAKE THAT APPOINTMENT!


Why put yourself through the cycle and you know what I mean. If you don 't allow the sun to shine you'll alway live inthe darkness, there is only so much Meds can do YOU MUST ALSO be aware and focus. Accept the things you can not change , And FIND your wisdom to know HOW! (make your own sunshine!)





I sincerly wish you the best, and if it is any comfort , you are not alone!
Reply:Depression, anxitey, and OCD I have all and I have learned that our brains have "patterns" almost like grids. My were wavey when they are suppose to be straight but Lexapro helped to correct, the meds we take make a new pattern and after at least 6 months you can try to come off. But if your med wasn't relieving the problems you need to switch. It's a guessing game for Doctor which one will work but keep with until you feel total relief then take for at least 6 months and your brain has a new grid, hopefully straight lines. Also therapy plus meds work the best trust me I know. Told be scared to talk openly with your doctor get the meds you need and enjoy life!!!!