Chronic Depression

[sherlock holmes]

A friend of mine has chronic depression, he says it's basically having depression for a very long time (he's had it 17 years) and that it's not going to go away. Then he said to me "but you're lucky you don't have chronic depression" but how would anyone know? Okay, I've been depressed four/five years, but what if it doesn't go away? Are there early signs of chronic depression?

[Stellata]

In my experience, all depression is chronic. I've been depressed off and on [mainly on] since in my teens. Yes, that's 20 + years. I probably had it before then, also. Just it looked different back then.
I have recurrent depression, but its PTSD and attachment disorder linked. Sometimes its mild, sometimes its off the severe scale.
Whether its chronic, recurring, whatever, its getting the right treatment that matters. That's my view, anyway.

[random.swirls]

Hello,

Depression occur's because of numerous different thing's from it being a chemical deficiency to entirely situational.

So firstly I would take what your friend say's lightly because only a psychiatrist can say if your depression is chronic etc. However depending on your diagnosis and his diagnosis he may be able to make some generalisation in particular if he has been diagnosed as suffering from dysthmia as this is a form of chronic depression.

To have depression for 4/5 year's it is more than simply a one off incident and as Katherine say's

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~longing~tears~

Whether its chronic, recurring, whatever, its getting the right treatment that matters.

and that treatment should be made for you and fit your circumstances.

If you are still worried and don't want to ask your dr. maybe ask him to say why he say's that you don't have chronic depression his answer will hopefully explain it.

Look after you

xoxox

[sherlock holmes]

Yeah I was told I have Dysthymia, and the word "chronic" has also been used.

I guess I just didn't like my friend attempting to tell me what I have/don't have.

[Stellata]

... which is totally not his job or role. You know yourself the best.

[Margo]

Ive had depression for nearly 16 years now. Ive had 3 "major incidents" as i call them. I would say that ive been chronic in those because everything has stopped and i just dont/didnt funtion, but for the other years its just been a background thing that i have dealt with and got on with my life. Im not sure what qualifies as chronic but im sure its not just based upon timescales!!!

[Mrs Sam]

ive been diagnosed with chronic depression. ive had it for 12 year. it means recurrent or constant for an extented period of time. acute depression usually means one episode that doesnt reoccur. or at least doesnt reoccur within a short space of time. i would say 5+ years is definately an extended period of time but obviously thats only from what i know about depression diagnosis. im not a dr or anything

[Margo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sad sam

ive been diagnosed with chronic depression. ive had it for 12 year. it means recurrent or constant for an extented period of time. acute depression usually means one episode that doesnt reoccur. or at least doesnt reoccur within a short space of time. i would say 5+ years is definately an extended period of time but obviously thats only from what i know about depression diagnosis. im not a dr or anything

Oh poo in that case im chronic

[sherlock holmes]

Thanks for your replies.