Sorry; I know that I have been starting a lot of new threads lately. I think that this will be the last one for awhile, but no promises.

Anyway, the past few days have found me in a bit of a low. I haven't felt this bad for no reason in months. My body feels like each limb weighs 1,000 lb. All I want to do is sleep. I feel hopeless and worthless. Nothing interests me (but sleep). I even have a reduction in appetite, which is unusual for me (I usually see an increase during depression).

It is not too bad yet, but I am scared. I am under a lot of pressure to perform this semester, and a serious depression now could literally haunt me for the rest of my life. I considered calling my pdoc, but even if he decides to change something, it will take a week for the script to arrive and several more for the new med to start working. (I see my pdoc over the phone, and he mails his scripts to me). I'm going to see him in person in early April anyway; I might as well wait until then.

I'm going to try to sleep deprive myself (won't allow more than 4 hrs per night). Sleep deprivation has antidepressant effects; my pdoc told me that decades ago he worked at a hospital that treated depression by this method.I know that this could cause hypomania, but that is a risk I am willing to take. I miss feeling alive, hopeful, and important. I've even considered going off my abilify and continuing the wellbutrin, but I've decided that that is too dangerous.

In addition to sleep deprivation, I'm going to try to get a lot of sunlight, exercise, and caffeine.

Does anyone have any other ideas for how I can prevent this from becoming a serious episode and get the mood pendulum swinging in the opposite direction? Thanks.