Diabetes cannot at the present time be cured. It can be treated. The treatments don't make your metabolism "normal" and don't mean you can behave just like someone without diabetes. You can refuse to accept any kind of treatment or to make lifestyle changes. The likelihood of a shortened life span and possibility of devastating complications (like blindness or amputations) then increase.
I don't know for sure if any kinds of depression can be cured. My psychiatrist tells me that what I have I will most likely have the rest of my life. I can take treatment, including life style changes, and monitor my own symptoms to know when more/different treatments are needed. This doesn't give me an entirely "normal" life. But it greatly reduces the anguish and allows for moments of joy and a reasonable chance for day-to-day happiness. To me, that is worth the effort.
If your treatment isn't achieving that for you, I think you need to be very frank with your doctor and/or therapist. Maybe even change to a different doctor or therapist if that seems necessary.
I have diabetes. I know I may never be cured. Why bother with the costly and inconvenient treatments? Because life can be good even when it isn't perfect, and I kind of like having both feet and my vision. :-)
I have depression. It seems likely I will never be cured. Why bother with the expensive meds, the quarterly doctor visits, and talk therapy as needed? Because life can be good even when it isn't perfect, and I like the possibility of periods of happiness and moments of joy.
Please, don't give up on you! You deserve a chance at happiness. If your present course of treatment isn't providing that, seek a change.
JennyM, Are you asking about the meaninglessness of existence, and the possible value of ending it all? I hope you're being philosophical, but if not, I've been there.
You know all the public service announcements and drug ads that say depression is treatable? That sort of pisses me off. It may be treatable, but that doesn't always (even usually!) mean it's curable! Why should I take medication and have therapy sessions that keep me from killing myself, but still leave me dragging myself through each day?
That's how it was for years, so I really get how you feel. But I have gotten to a place where depression is a regular visitor, but doesn't stay around that long. How did that happen? I told my therapist I knew she couldn't cure me, and she replied, "Well, maybe I can. Do you want me to?" Duh! Of course!
It seems like what she used was Tibetan Buddhism and pushing me over and over again to stop judging myself, and start loving myself. She taught me to pat myself on the back for noticing a pretty flower or taking pleasure in a simple cup of tea or cloud or anything. She is trying to teach me not to have expectations, good or bad, about the future, and to accept reality, not fight against what is. I can fight to CHANGE what is, if possible, but I can't wish it into something different.
I'm really in favor of medication, for physical and mental pain. So please try to get the best drugs you can for whatever ails you.
If you want to talk more about depression, let me know. Maybe we should start a thread. Anyway, please be good to yourself, and I hope you feel better.
If you are in a downward spiral I'd say the treatment isn't working. Jenny, there are treatments that do work (usually a combination of talk therapy and medications) but the same treatments don't work the same for everyone. Please discuss your symptoms with your doctor so the treatment plan can be adjusted!
You deserve a chance at happiness and a fulfilling life. No one is happy every minute, and everyone has pain sometimes, but it sounds like you have more than your share. You deserve better pain management and more effective depression treatment. There is hope.
I don't know for sure if any kinds of depression can be cured. My psychiatrist tells me that what I have I will most likely have the rest of my life. I can take treatment, including life style changes, and monitor my own symptoms to know when more/different treatments are needed. This doesn't give me an entirely "normal" life. But it greatly reduces the anguish and allows for moments of joy and a reasonable chance for day-to-day happiness. To me, that is worth the effort.
If your treatment isn't achieving that for you, I think you need to be very frank with your doctor and/or therapist. Maybe even change to a different doctor or therapist if that seems necessary.
I have diabetes. I know I may never be cured. Why bother with the costly and inconvenient treatments? Because life can be good even when it isn't perfect, and I kind of like having both feet and my vision. :-)
I have depression. It seems likely I will never be cured. Why bother with the expensive meds, the quarterly doctor visits, and talk therapy as needed? Because life can be good even when it isn't perfect, and I like the possibility of periods of happiness and moments of joy.
Please, don't give up on you! You deserve a chance at happiness. If your present course of treatment isn't providing that, seek a change.
You know all the public service announcements and drug ads that say depression is treatable? That sort of pisses me off. It may be treatable, but that doesn't always (even usually!) mean it's curable! Why should I take medication and have therapy sessions that keep me from killing myself, but still leave me dragging myself through each day?
That's how it was for years, so I really get how you feel. But I have gotten to a place where depression is a regular visitor, but doesn't stay around that long. How did that happen? I told my therapist I knew she couldn't cure me, and she replied, "Well, maybe I can. Do you want me to?" Duh! Of course!
It seems like what she used was Tibetan Buddhism and pushing me over and over again to stop judging myself, and start loving myself. She taught me to pat myself on the back for noticing a pretty flower or taking pleasure in a simple cup of tea or cloud or anything. She is trying to teach me not to have expectations, good or bad, about the future, and to accept reality, not fight against what is. I can fight to CHANGE what is, if possible, but I can't wish it into something different.
I'm really in favor of medication, for physical and mental pain. So please try to get the best drugs you can for whatever ails you.
If you want to talk more about depression, let me know. Maybe we should start a thread. Anyway, please be good to yourself, and I hope you feel better.
You deserve a chance at happiness and a fulfilling life. No one is happy every minute, and everyone has pain sometimes, but it sounds like you have more than your share. You deserve better pain management and more effective depression treatment. There is hope.