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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Is it possible to completely recover from depression and anxiety?

    Related Topics
    Anxiety Depression Mental Health
    Just wondering if there is any chance of not ever having “a bad day” ever again. Can you completely get over it?
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    Mariela Occelli

    Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist

    Mariela Occelli is a Clinical Psychologist with well over 20 years experience in the assessment and treatment of clinical disorders. She has worked in private … View Profile

    Like many pople who have experienced anxiety and /or depression, you appear to be now experiencing anxiety and depression about your anxiety and depression. Your experience was frightening or extrememly distressing to you and you now take your ‘emotional pulse’ every day, perhaps right through each day. Unfortunately, your fear of feeling bad has become a preocupation and you may be keenly focused on these feelings and discount or not notice times when you are feeling ‘normal’ or even happy. Ironically, the most effective way to regain your life is to learn to accept your emotions at any given time. Your willingness to feel your feelings of sadness or anxiety will make those feelings easier to cope with and eventually disappear. The trick however is to not make the feelings or the negative thoughts which accompany them, responsible for how you engage in your life. Engage in your life meaningfully, like a skillful dancer moving with the music. Learn to become lost in the moment, to be present to your experience fully and to participate meaningfully even if you are feeling depressed or anxious. Eventually you will stop worrying about whether you are going to have another bad day and you will learn to live each moment meaningfully as it is. Ironically, at this point you will notice that you are having less bad days!

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    Karen Adler

    Arts Therapist

    I am a Transpersonal Art Therapist, an artist, writer, curator and researcher. I am a firm believer in the inherent healing qualities of the Arts. … View Profile

    I'm an Art Therapist and teach workshops on Creative Expression for Depression/Anxiety. As a past sufferer of both, I found that the most useful methods, on an ongoing basis, are the combination of journalling and drawing. I see both as life skills which, when practiced on a regular basis, not only come to the fore in difficult times but can ultimately prove to be life-enhancing.  

    One of the most debilitating and stressful aspects of depression/anxiety is the distortion of time and space - our inner world shrinks down to the blackness and bleakness of our mood which, in turn, impacts upon our external world - relastionships, engagement with life, etc. Being able to draw, paint or sculpt an image of our emotional state can be very powerful. It not only gives us a sense of empowerment and control - presenting us with something visible and tangible that we've created instead of feelign depressed or anxious - it gives us a snapshot of a moment and it gives us the possibility of change.

    Journaling in conjunction with art enables mindfulness and a recognition of process rather than stuckness. Over time, we can't help but see patterns, triggers, changes in emotional/mental state, coping, what's worked/hasn't worked. Ultimately, we gain a greater sense of autonomy and a recognition of the part we play in our own emotional terrain. 

    I hope this helps and I wish you well. 

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    Dr Sarah Visser

    Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist

    Dr. Sarah Visser is a registered clinical psychologist who specialises in adult individual therapy. An experienced practitioner in a variety of areas such as depression, … View Profile

    Some people struggle with mood disturbances more than others, but there is no reason why you should not be able to have a fulfilling life free from chronically debilitating anxiety or depression.
    It might be worth considering the types of treatments you have tried so far and what has and has not been helpful for you.
    There may be underlying factors driving your anxiety and depression that need to be addressed in order to feel like you are making progress. Finding the right person and approach to help you can at times be a trial and error, but I would not give up.

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