Is depression permanent?

@rollinsk That is a very good question. For many of us who live with depression, it sometimes seems so, doesn't it? I believe some people are more prone to depressive episodes, or have a tendency to slide into them. I am one of those. For me, it takes work, sometimes hard work, to stay positive, and rally against the depression, to return to the more positive approach of life. There can be so many triggers that would bring on a depressive episode, and we need to be self-aware of those; it's seems to be different for everyone.
Is it permanent? Well, my thought is it doesn't have to be first-and-foremost, at all times. We can work to keep it at bay, and congratulate ourselves when it happens.
Do you feel it is permanent for you?
Ginger

@rollinsk An interesting question. Growing up I thought my circumstances ( abusive home) brought on my long periods of extreme sadness, but once I left that environment noticed it had come with me and difficult to "shake off". Years later was eventually diagnosed as Bipolar and asked if I recalled other family members suffered from depression. So for me I would say genetically predisposed. Permanent as always having this illness I guess so, but as Ginger has pointed out a constant "work in progress" with moments of lessened depression where one can smile and laugh.

@rollinsk I often ask myself the same thing. I am in major depression right now, and I feel like I've been on every medication and tried almost every modality and nothing has helped me. Still, though, I have had relief for many years. When Prozac did work for me, I was in remission for 13 years. I did have some days where I felt more depressed, but not the heavy, raw hell I am going through right now. I hope you, too, find some relief.

@kelster69 I am sorry to hear your current situation. Are you able to connect with a medical professional to get some assistance? What direction would you choose to head towards first, for assistance?
Hoping to hear from you that you decide to tackle your depression, again!
Ginger

Thank you, Ginger. Yes, I spoke with my psychiatrist today. I am going to get the genetic testing done with her tomorrow morning so I can figure out which medications I can and can't tolerate. It's been really rough going on and off all of these psych meds. I am willing to take meds if I have to. I am also going to a new TMS clinic on Thursday. I started doing TMS last week with the Ketamine clinic I'd been going to for almost a year. They do not understand the depths of my depression, and seem to want to get people in and out of there quickly. I've tried speaking with the psychiatrist/owner there, but he is not that type of practitioner. I feel like the ketamine made me worse. He keeps pushing me to get more infusions. I am also doing DBT right now, which, quite frankly, feels invalidating when I'm this low. I am exhausted and hopeless from trying to much. But I cannot kill myself, because I don't want to do that to my loved ones.

I currently see a psychiatrist who prescribed depression and anxiety drugs. A psychologist, cardiologist, neurologist, family md, urologist and have an appointment with Nephrologist for the stage 3 kidney disease. The meds I take for anxiety and depression have been changed by psych multiple times over the past 2 years. I have been on current regiment as listed for about 3 months. The venlafaxine dosage was changed from 2 to 3 per day last month. I believe one or more of my depression / anxiety medications are responsible for my current state and will be speaking to my psychiatrist tomorrow. Just wondering if anyone else has had my symptoms and what medications work for them. Thank you

I have had my depression and anxiety most of my life and I'm 63. For many years I was taking an MAO called Nardil which had served me well for 35 plus years. The downside was the effect on my sleep which gradually became worse and I had to go off of Nardil 2 years ago. Since then I've felt like a work in progress, having my meds changed multiple times and still trying to get a handle on anxiety. It's sent me to ER with Heart attack symptoms which was ruled out and I have a health heart I currently get a daily gradual tingling in my brain with tightness on left side of chest which can bring me to tears. When the anxiety level is high I take lorazepam which calms it down. I'm still trying to find the right rx. Everyone is different though and I just wanted to let you know you are not alone.

I have found information on a fairly new drug which is inhaled, called Spirato. I will be inquiring with my psych at next appt. Hope this is of some use

The genetic testing is a general guide and does not guarantee results. I did the genetic testing and continue to find the right meds for me and I have been through the suggested guide recommendations to no avail. It may and I pray it suggests the right meds for you.

Thanks for the info., Douglas. Spravado is the nasal spray form of ketamine. I've heard it's quite effective for some. Ketamine worked for me initially, but now it does not. Best of luck with Spravado.