Nothing ever works

[llamalover23]

I’ve been treating my depression for 3 years now. Nothing I have done has improved my mood whatsoever. I eat well, exercise, socialise, get out of the house, Get 8 hours of sleep a night, do ‘pleasurable’ activities (nothing I do actually gives me joy, but I do things other people find fun), volunteer, do self care, look after oets etc etc. every self help tip under the sun I’ve done. I made a series of lifestyle changes including cutting off toxic relationships and reducing stress. I’m now on my 4th medication, it hasn’t helped at all but I’m gonna give it a few weeks just in case. I had 10 sessions of therapy this year where I achieved practically nothing and was given no solid advice about how to cope or get better. I’ve done mountains of CBT programs too. I’ve tried and continue to do all of these things that are supposed to work but they don’t. If anything over the past 2.5 years I’ve gone backwards. I’ve got no idea how I’m supposed to cope through the rest of the year. My gp has ruled out physical causes. Everytime I ask for help people dismiss me, or tell me to keep doing what I’m doing. Clearly what I’m doing is not helpful because I haven’t made the slightest improvement in 3 years of treatment. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I’m just tired of people lying to me and saying things will get better, without telling me how to get there. Anyway I just need advice really. As well as honesty.

[Emmen]

Hi llamalover23,

Llama's are adorable, aren't they? I love your username.

I'm really sorry you're struggling with depression and that it doesn't seem to be getting any better. It's bad enough being diagnosed with depression, but you've clearly began to feel frustrated and hopeless with the time it is taking. That adds to the general 'down' feeling.

Recovering from depression is not quick. Unfortunately it can take a few years, and sometimes you may go backwards before moving forwards again. Beyond Blue has a resource on recovering from a MH condition: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/staying-well/recovering-from-a-mental-health-condition

I wonder if there are other aspects to your depression that are not being addressed adequately these three years. For instance, are you lacking the right social networks to feel supported through this? Are you still in an environment where your reasons for being depressed remain (for instance, if it's related to your family life or employment, are you still in the same situation)?

On another note, cutting off toxic people and reducing stress will definitely help, so that's a very good decision you've made.

Warmly,
M

[Azza12]

I know how you feel every thing I do in life Is a failure

[llamalover23]

Thanks - although I feel like 2.5 years should count as a ‘few years’, and it’s quite abnormal to not get better after such a long time.

i think you might be right about other aspects not being addressed, it’s just a challenge for me trying to work out what they are! I haven’t had any traumatic events happen So I don’t have any of that to work through. The only thing going wrong in my life right now is my depression. The one thing I can think of is that I am not currently financially independent, although I don’t see how this would cause enough of an issue to cause extremely severe depression.

[llamalover23]

Oof.

[Azza12]

What does that my