Lately I have been cycling up and down which lasts a couple days at a time. This is not normal for me. I did not realize it until now, but I am really stressed and a little burnt out. I take care of my mother with dementia. Even though it is not hour by hour care, I still am stressed over time. I am so tired. I think this has exacerbated my symptoms of depression. Now my mood is going up and down. Little things are now bothering me now and triggers episodes of depression.

Can stess over a long period of time cause wide mood shifts to happen? Rapid cycling that lasts for just a couple days at a time?

I am thinking of placing my mother in a nursing home just for a couple days. They should be able to deal with her for she has been difficult and even violent lately. But this would allow me to take care of myself. I bet my mood returns to baseline over this period of time.