I feel that way, too. I think I have overlying "disthymia"....(which I have been diagnosed with, before BP)...which is, long-term, low intensity depression. Which describes my "normal" state. I also have fibromyalgia, so the depression from the 24/7 pain from that adds into the mix, too. One way I can tell how bad my depression is, is when I get exercise, or take a bath or shower, and feel more exhausted afterwards, instead of refreshed.

OMG, maybe I'm dysthemic. I wonder if I lack the ability to produce endorphines like other people do because after I exercise, I just feel more tired than good. I have such a mild sourpuss attitude. Thanks for your response.

I am rarely ever not depressed or under par. Even when I'm manic I'm not happy. mostly angry-so for me it feels never ending no matter how they tweak the meds.

Me, too...mania is not a fun ride for me.

someone i know had a bout of depression yrs ago and was on anti-depressants for a while. Her depression didn't return.

I am with you hangin. I NEVER totaly get out of hte depression. I can lock in in a cage sometimes, but it is always lurking there knowing to will get out. Even whe I am in a good mood it whispers in my ear "Go ahead, have a good time now, you will pay when I get out." I told my tdoc this and he sys it is under MY control, but I don't agree with him. It is like the depression has a life totally its own and it comes out when it wants to.

i have noticed my depression is always lurking..
hypomania is more agitation and anger and aggression , never hapiness.
the anti depressants give me a slight boost ..
the help me get up in the morning and get the basics done.
but they leave me feeling under par ..and fuzzy headed .
i cannot think clearly on them.
no idea if the mood stabilizer helps or not.
anti d's do make me manic...prozac proved that

I have been in a depression since 08' and it still lingers although not as bad as it was earlier on. I can't seem to shake it even with the anti depressants. It drains me and pulls me down constantly. It's frustrating and fuels more depression.

I have been in a low grade depression since January so I know what you all mean. Anti-depressants and mood stabilizers just don't seem to be enough to quite lift me out of this depression. Some days obviously are worse than others, but it is frustrating for sure.

it can go away, for some people it doesn't go away, i don't know why, i consider myself lucky because i am one of those who's depression "goes away", at least temporarily, unfortuantely when it hits it's major depression, the kind that keeps me in my bed feeling completely hopeless and at worst suicidal, is one better than the other, i don't think so, i think they both suck, i wish you the best of luck, i think i would bring it up with the pdoc about this and talk about how you don't want anymore med tweaks, maybe pdoc can suggest some non-med alternatives
hugs
andrea

I have been stuck in a depression since November. This is not fun. I am now on an anti-depressant with my mood stabilizer and it seems to help -- but I'm not out of the woods yet.

I do find exercise to help my mood -- but I don't do anything high impact. I dance or walk. Sometimes I feel really tired right after, but better a little later in the day.

I hope you feel better soon. You are not alone.

I think it does, I am not a normally depressed person so I think htat helps. Although right now I am and have been for a few months and I am asking the very same question you are/ So I hope if this path that I follow is true the depression will go away. We need hope

no i always cycle to depression

Bronte, it never ceases to amaze me, that a psych professional with a PhD, nonetheless, can't tell the difference between "normal" depression and clinical depression....duh.

When I exercise either on my bike or just doing chores that work up a sweat I do feel much better.