[drivingmenuts]

In my experience, depression is something you can't cure. You can fix it for a while, but it always lurks, waiting to come back.

In my case, environmental changes ensure that it won't show up again as strong or as fast. I'm pretty sure I don't need medication right now.

But that's not to say I'm cured by any means. Just that I'm doing better and finding ways of coping with it.

[agumonkey]

Could you describe those environmental changes, I've been curious about this for a while.

[drivingmenuts]

Got decent furniture, got the roommate to get his own apartment and I am sprucing up the abode in general so that it looks like a person actually lives here, rather than inhabits the space. Using brighter colors that are outside of my usual blacks and browns. This is all very normal stuff for other people, I suppose, but its something I never really thought about. I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings much. As it stands right now, I wouldn't be ashamed to invite people over for an evening, whereas before, I kept my door shut so people didn't see the mess.

I'm making an effort to be more sociable, which is difficult. I'm middle-aged and haven't dated or had a relationship since high school and so I've got some real hurdles to overcome there. That part may be impossible to overcome, but I'm trying it, slowly.

The very affectionate cat I've had for a couple of years helps, too. A pet forces you to focus on something other than your own misery. Plus, it's hard to have a suck day when the cat is standing on your chest, headbutting you in the chin or trying to eat your hand while you type.

This isn't necessarily the answer for everyone. It may only be me. I do know that a year ago I was very miserable, felt worthless and dead inside, and now I don't feel like that anymore.