I'm bipolar so I cycle, I'd talk to your doc about it

Yes, depression can come and go. A lot of it depends on what caused your depression.

If it is brain chemistry thing, then it will cycle with your brain chemistry. I have no idea how this works; but like heretic says, bipolar people can cycle quite a bit.

If it is experience based (like past abuse) depression can come and go based on when you get triggers associated with that abuse.

Some here have seasonal things, and when the days get shorter the lack of sunlight seems to trigger depression.

Some here are triggered by the death of a family member, and then trigger on dates associated with that person (ie their birthday, the day they died, mothers day, fathers day, etc)


Can you pinpoint any events that seem to be triggers for you?

I would also suggest you look at bipolar symptoms. It sounds familiar.

Welcome to DS and I hope you find the advise and support you need here.


Love
Gargoyle

I agree, maybe looking into the Bipolar thing or maybe something about the times when it does appear may have something to do with it. I know when certain dates approach every year my depression will get worse around those certain dates.

Depression is by definition episodic, so it can manifest in several episodes per year. A lot of people have recurrent depression, experiencing several episodes throughout their lives.

Perhaps if you could describe in more detail what you feel like when you're *not* depressed and how long the episodes last, it would be easier to answer your question?

What exactly are you puzzled about: is it the recurrence of it, the dramatic shift in mood from "normal or happy" to severely depressed or neither of those?

Yes, depression has it's own kind of mind I think. It affects everyone so different, some have it day after day, others have it a few times a week,, and others have it like you, a couple of times a year. It is so senseless. You are going to find a lot of information on this Forum and wonderful people that can relate to how you are feeling. I'm glad you found us. Hugs.

thank you all for the responses. i am learning taht my depression comes on when something tramatic happens in my life. i suffer from a great deal of anxiety as well which makes lots of things seem more tramatic to me (than my husband or children do) :-(.
i just started back on my prozac about 4 days ago and am desperately waiting for the effects to kick in. How do people live like this? i just dont get why this is happening to me..?? i try to talk to a few friends about it, but unless they actually have experienced true depression, they have absolutely no idea how painful it really is. one of my biggest fears is that my children will inherit this from me. i always seem to get off my meds because they mask my true feelings for everything....i cant even cry when i am on them..
im rambling now but it feels nice to share with others that know what i am going through. thanks again everyone.

I am also on Prozac and when I first got on it it took it a few days to kick in so it should kick in shortly. Talking to people who don't know what depression feels like could be like talking to a brick wall. I also deal with anxiety and depression and I know those two mixed are quite common and each feed off of the other one, making each of them worse. (Hug)

It is quite common for an episode of depression to be preceded by stress. How do people live like this? Well, the severity of the symptoms varies over time so most of us do get some relief, especially if we persevere in seeking treatment and finding ways to cope in our daily lives.

Right now it may seem to you like it is unbearable because you're in the midst of a more serious episode, but in 2-6 weeks when the Prozac kicks in your anxiety will most likely be greatly reduced.
Doesn't mean that life will be perfect. It will take time and patience for you to further recover, but you will get better.

In between episodes, many of us function well, with worse and better periods. At least that's true for me and others I know who also struggle with chronic/recurrent depression.

Once you get over the most pressing symptoms that afflict you right now, it is important to have a long term preventive plan in place. Things like enough water, balanced nutrition, exercise, social support, relaxation time and managing emotions better (including anxiety) can and do make a difference. Therapy can help us work on the thoughts and behaviors that tend to reinforce the symptoms.

Checking periodically your health is also important: chronic conditions, anemia, thyroid dysfunction, and the side effects of certain meds can all cause symptoms of depression.

If you need to talk or would like suggestions on things you can do to help yourself, please feel free to e-mail me.

Hang in there. It does get better. Wishing you well,