- What genetic factors are relevant to developing depression?
- What can we do to prevent depression?
- How can I tell if I have depression or am I just sad?
- What is acute depression?
- What to do when we feel apathetic?
- Can recurrent major depression be cured?
- Are antidepressants for life?
- How can teachers help students with depression?
- How do you cope with all the responsibilities and tasks of daily life when you have depression?
- When we're not feeling well and don't want to do anything, what can we do to avoid feeling bad?
- What are the signs of a relapse in depression?
- What can we do to prevent a relapse?
- What strategies are recommended for managing high levels of stress and anxiety?
- How to manage a relapse in depression?
- And in case of a relapse into depression, how should the immediate environment act?
- What is the relationship between relapse and suicidal ideation?
- What kind of therapies work? Does writing down your feelings or participating in activities like laughter therapy help?
Can recurrent major depression be cured?
There is no single answer. Certainly, one can fully recover from reactive depressive states, even those of some severity. The more severe the depression, the more complex and lengthy the pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments may be.
Studies show that a person who has had a major depressive episode has a 50% risk of experiencing another . With each additional episode, this risk increases. Although not easily "curable," depression is quite treatable. Therefore, receiving appropriate treatment can shorten the duration and severity of an episode.
There are several treatment options, the most common and effective of which involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy while the individual is experiencing an active depressive episode. This treatment can last for months or at least until the symptoms become more manageable. Once the recurrent depressive episode has subsided, psychotherapy can be discontinued, and the affected person may continue taking medication to prevent it from recurring.
