Is it really possible to completely recover from depression & anxiety?

1. 76

   BritInTexasposted 11 years ago

   Is it really possible to completely recover from depression & anxiety?
   
   I'm talking about moderate-severe anxiety and depression.  Is it really possible to COMPLETELY recover, solely with the aid of medications?  And if so, which meds work the best for both disorders combined?

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2. 88

   nochanceposted 11 years ago

   Some of the issues with anxiety and depression are chemical based (meaning they can be fixed with medication) but many are caused by experiences. Finding a good therapist can work wonders when dealing with anxiety and depression.
   
   Personally I don't think it's something medication alone can fix. But experiences with my family has shown that therapy and medication combined make a huge difference.

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   1. 89

      raymondphilippeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree. Therapy and medication (depending on how severe the depression/anxiety is) often make a huge difference. In many cases people can recover to a degree that they can live without medication and/or therapy.

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3. 76

   BritInTexasposted 11 years ago

   @nochance, and raymondphillipe, thank you for your thoughtful answers.  How often would you expect to see a counselor/therapist, in order to receive maximum benefits?

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   1. 88

      nochanceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You would have to talk to a therapist and ask them. It depends on your particular situation. Also if you feel unsure about a therapist don't be afraid to switch to a different one. You want to be comfortable with them.

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4. 65

   AlanRimmerposted 11 years ago

   I agree with @nochance and @raymondphilippe in that medication helps but is not the sole answer to recovery from moderate-severe anxiety and depression. Counselling and therapy combined with medication is a far better approach.
   I am currently taking medication and undergoing therapy and see my counsellor once every two to three weeks with "homework" in between.
   I honestly believe it is possible to recover and to come off the medication but that there will be an ongoing commitment to maintenenance of what works from the outcome of therapy to avoid relapses. How long I will be in therapy is hard to say but I know that it depends on me and how effectively I respond to it.

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   1. 76

      BritInTexasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thankyou, Alan, that is very insightful.  I have often questioned whether the frequency of therapy/counseling meetings, plays a part in the speed of recovery.

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