Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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the difference between "down" and depres

deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi all...just had a couple questions about your experiences with depression...

1)-What is the time difference between having a bad week or a low period and actual depression?
Is it a month or more?

2)-How do you experience the onset of depression...mine hits me hard and fast.....No long slope downward,just BAM...ITS BAD.

Id apperciate any personal sharing or insight.....thanks!
Marilyanna
Marilyanna
I dont have a low week. I am either normal or suicidal. I am either "you know I could go back to work and be a normal person" or oh theres a gun shop lets go look. I promise just to look".
tommymott
tommymott
I don't think there's any difference at all between a
bad week, a low spot and
"actual depression." One day or a hundred years, depression is depression.

I'm typically always at a mild stage of depression. I notice if it changes for the worse and I figure it needs taking care of.

As a BP1 I'd rather deal with depression than mania, it's much more logical.
deleted_user
deleted_user
i havent had mania in a while, i've been fluctuating between norm and depression...

but my meds seem to be working, because the downs only last a day or two and i don't get REALLY down.

i also think that has something to do with my DS friends though.

if you're going really really low, talk to your doc about your meds... and try to find some meaningfull friendships xx
CarlaBentley
CarlaBentley
I don't differentiate between short or long periods of depression. If it ain't situational, it's *the* depression.
It hits suddenly, usually. One second I'm perfectly happy, the next I'm depressed!!
Once in a while, it just slowly seeps in.
beckyp
beckyp
you know those pamplets always say if you have been depressed for 2 weeks or more you should see your dr. I stay in a down mood all the time. I can go out and enjoy myself, but I don't kind things funny and don't laugh very much. My mood is always about a 4 on a scale of 1-10. When I get really depressed it comes on fast too. Just like over night.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I've had it happen both ways although usually its a gradual thing for me. I am normally a little on the depressed side.
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