I was "lucky" to have been majoring in psychology right before getting diagnosed with major depression. So I went into treatment knowing things like this that

I was "lucky" to have been majoring in psychology right before getting diagnosed with major depression. So I went into treatment knowing things like this that helped me stick with it. Which was a literal lifesaver, because the first SSRI I took gave me severe stomach pains. I spent at least 2 hours every night spitting into the dorm room sink with the lights out. Instead of quitting, I knew to ask for a different SSRI. I also knew to switch therapists when the first one just talked at me the whole time. I then got one who listened a lot at first, then started challenging things I said after we had some trust. And one more helpful thing J knew: medication was like a crutch. And, despite that usually being a negative metaphor, I saw it as a positive. If you break your leg, you use a crutch while it heals. Your treatment should be the crutch (meds) and therapy. The therapy works better when you can think better. I ended up not needing my meds anymore. I still have overall flattened affect and bouts of depression, but I can deal with them. To torture the metaphor, it's like having a slight limp from the broken leg. I'll never be "back to normal" but still find life worth living.