Recovery or Remission?
Recently a visitor asked whether I had recovered from chronic depression. I’ve had very stressful periods, and would occasionally have low mood for a day or two. These do not come close to the type of depression I had experienced many years ago.
Cancer patients talk about remission more often than about cure. I think we can make a similar analogy with depression, at least I am very mindful of the low tides and how long I would be in a low state and how concerned I need to be. I have learned to tell the difference between response to a very stressful period or bad news - a “normal” state of depressed feelings - versus an abnormal state of depression. There seems to always be that depression “micrometastasis”, a dark seed of possibility waiting to come into full force if only it had the right combination.
For the time being, it looks like I am in remission.
The funny thing about depression is, because I have experienced how painful the depths of an abyss can be, I am thankful for ordinary things and boring days when nothing exciting happens. I am grateful I can connect with people without a wall around my heart (perhaps my mind). I am happy for being where I am today.
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