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Severe, long term depression

ArizonaSenior Contributor15 Aug 2021, 5:32 pm AEST

Severe, long term depression

I thought I would start a thread for those of us who have severe, long term depression, such as a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

I thought we could use this space to talk about things like:

- Our day to day experience of depression.

- How depression affects our lives.

- What supports we have or think we need.

- Coping strategies and self care.

- What works for us/what doesn't work for us.

- Our attitudes towards recovery.

- A clear explanation of the Recovery Model.

- The importance of having good doctors and therapists.

- What it is like for us to deal with mental health organisations.

- What it is like for us to be consumers of the mental health system.

- The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

- A clear explanation of stigma.

- Our dreams and goals.

And generally being of support to one another.

I'm just suggesting these as ideas to start us off but of course we can talk about anything.

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In response to: Severe, long term depression

ItsMeAgainContributor19 Aug 2021, 10:19 am AEST

Re: Severe, long term depression

Thank you @Arizona @oceangirl @frog

This morning I've I have been back in touch with some friends that I've somehow managed to maintain, and we have plans coming up, so I'm looking forward to that.

I used to make plans and have to cancel or not make any plans at all, but I've started just being honest with my friends about why I cancel all the time (typically only mentioning depression and not bipolar as the reason at first). (BTW, major depression is what affects me 98% off the time). That has helped me 'test the water' with them to get the reactions. It's also allowed them to share their struggles and brought us even closer.

For friends that have been cool, I've told them about my other symptoms I can sometimes get besides depression. If they pass the test of being kind and keeping my health status to themselves, I've told my closest friends the diagnoses of additional things about my health. This has taken years of trail and error and losing some friends who did not deserve my trust.

Alright, I'm going to get going and try to get some things done today now that my meds have kicked in. I wish you all lots of good little moments towards a good day. xx

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