@A MyDepressionTeam Member What a question.....good for you for asking. IMHO it *is* a lifelong illness. But I think it depends on your diagnosis. For me being bipolar it is a life sentence. It's like being diabetic I will always be bipolar.
As for your other question very hard question...It depends...it depends on your doctor. I went to doctors for over 10 years that weren't correctly diagnosed so the meds weren't working for my illness. There are just so many drugs that can be tried. Perhaps you just haven't gotten the right one yet. But the next one is the one that will work. Sometimes a drug works for a while and then stops working. Some people are medication resistant meaning they have to try alternative means such as ECT. It depends on you.
You've asked great questions thank you!

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A MyDepre...

Its an act of lifestyle changes that may have the greatest effect.

I am also bipolar 1 and know that I will be for the rest of my life. Just as sunshine said, it can take time to find the right medication combo to staart feeling better. My meds usually work but from time to time I get really depressed and medication resistant and do ECT's and they help a lot. I hope you find the right combination that works for you. Great question.

Find you a good psychiatrist.

Thank you everyone for your responses. My GP doesn't seem to be bothered really - he told me to go and run. Bearing in mind I have chronic migraine & we have a heatwave in Britain at the moment, meaning I don't go out as I am on holiday from work. I haven't run since I was 22. I am 46 now and feel like 96 most days. I am in all over body pain most days. I said the only way I could even contemplate trying to exercise was to have pain relief. Manage my pain and I can manage myself. He is a waste of space. I have had 6 different ones over the last 4 years although 2 were mainly for migraine preventatives. He never gives me regular reviews or anything. He hasn't really given me a proper diagnosis just says everything is anxiety or depression. I think I need a better doctor to be honest. I don't think he is the person to help me. I was on Citalopram for 2 months - it did help me sleep but that is about all it helped. I started to get really messed up warped crazy dreams so weaned off it.