Hi NBAC79, welcome
It looks like you have a reasonable hold on your condition - better than most new members.
Some of us have weathered the storm like you and progressed to being able to return some guidance to those new to their illness. We are the "champion volunteers" and its an honour to be one.
Perhaps my best metaphor of depression is an article I wrote here some time ago. Readers can google the following-
"Topic: Depression - a ship on the high seas - beyondblue"
It's all part of the puzzle for those having issues, to clarify their problems, get them into perspective and be able to manage them rather than expect cure down the track.
Medication plays a large part. So I often read how someone that should be on medication but "wants to try to get through it themselves without it" - I shudder in disbelief how anyone can think that way. There are reasons...stigma is still in our naïve society, fear is there to and admission they have such illness is just too much for them to bare.
So approaching depression is a multi pronged thing. Meds, therapy, counselling, self help etc. Self help? sure, changes in environment, change of employment, developing a positive attitude, ridding your life of toxic people, monitoring your sensitivity so you stay away from things that trigger your mind and so on. If one or two of these things are missing you could be in strife.
Then there are the carers. An article covering this to google is-
"Topic: who cares for the carer- beyondblue"
They are the silent sufferers that need our attention. Some carers develop mental illness themselves due to the stress of caring for someone that has a disorder they cannot see.
Finally there is the sufferer that stops medication themselves. They must feel like a superhuman IMO, to be able to believe they can assess their situation, believe that depression wont return and be "normal" again. Sorry for the bad news but this is highly unlikely.
The better way to go is - acceptance of your lifelong condition, seek a suitable medication, regular visits to your GP and psych contact, likelihood you will find full time work hard to maintain if so seek part time work or two part time jobs for variety.
I've done all this and am happier now more than ever. But I still fall in a heap regularly. That the nature of the black dog...always lurking. But I have him on a lead.
Welcome again
Tony WK
