The term “cured“ is complicated when it comes to depression.
It can be a chronic condition with periods of remission and recurrence, while some can recover completely and never experience symptoms again.
Mild, acute depression can probably be healed entirely. But if you’re like me and struggling with persistent depression, who has been severely depressed before, you’re more probably to have repeats. That’s precisely why you need to establish beneficial habits and monitor your well-being.
Why cured may not apply to all cases
Depression is a multifactorial condition influenced by genetics, brain chemistry, life circumstances, and other factors.
These underlying causes could persist even after treatment resolves symptoms.
Reports show that 50% of individuals with one depressive episode experience a relapse.
This risk increases with each subsequent episode, so diagnosing and treating it as soon as possible is important.
Modern treatment concentrates on managing symptoms, preventing reappearance, and improving quality of life rather than achieving a permanent cure.
Evidence for complete recovery
Individuals experiencing their first depressive episode, especially if it’s mild and promptly treated, have a higher likelihood of full and lasting recovery.
Many people achieve long-term remission with appropriate treatments like therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes, suggesting that recovery without recurrence is possible.
Maintaining your physical health, strong social support, and coping mechanisms also add to long-term improvement.
While I no longer go to a psychologist, it did help me manage my symptoms and see things more clearly and objectively.
Challenges to a total and lasting cure
Symptoms may wax and wane over time for individuals with recurrent or treatment-resistant depression.
Stressful life events, health problems, or substance use can reignite depressive episodes, even after years of remission.
Conclusion
For many people, depression can be managed to the point of being asymptomatic, and they may feel cured.
However, the possibility of repetition means it’s often better to consider it a condition to be actively managed and monitored rather than definitively healed.
Frequent check-ins with a clinician and staying proactive with treatment can make a significant difference.
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Please consider joining our forum and Facebook if you enjoyed reading this and would like to chat with like-minded peers about anything depression related.
It would certainly go a long way toward making my dream of creating a thriving, supportive community a reality!
