Questions...

Can anyone tell me how long a bipolar depressive episode lasts on average? For those who know me, I am questioning a bipolar diagnosis. I have been depressed for a year now. I had a bad reaction to Prozac more than a year ago, a physical reaction, tremulousness, anxiety, insomnia (I wanted to sleep desPerately, but could not), only when prozac was increased to 60 mg. I had been on Prozac for 25 years at 40 mg without effect.

My pdoc now terms me bipolar and has wanted to give me numerous drugs. I have appointment with a new Pdoc next week for a second opinion.

That being said, I have been depressed for a year now. Just wondering what you all think about the length of a depressive episode in bipolar.

Thanks so much.

I'm bipolar and am just beginning to come out of over a year of deep depression. It's not that unsual I don't think. Mania doesn't hang around that long for me.

Thank u Gayle. It sucks, doesn't it? I am losing my husband over this. I don't function, we have no life. He told me last week he doesn't love me anymore. I still can't get better. I love him so much. But I don't know how to get better. Hate this life.

By definition, if you have ever met the criteria for a manic or hypomanic episode that was not caused by drugs or medication, your diagnosis would be bipolar even if you are predominantly depressed. There is no maximum length of time for bipolar or depressive episodes, although a long period of having some of those symptoms might suggest dysthymic or cyclothymic disorder, which are more ongoing and less episodic. If you have questions, your pdoc should be willing to discuss your diagnosis with you.

I understand you concerns for all the trouble you are going through and I feel really bad for you, but you act like bp is the plague or something! You can function if you are bp. I call discribe myself as being bipolar IN ORDER vice bipolar disorder.

I think it is very wise to get a second opinion, I have had several dx's and several dr.'s. Just take it one day at a time, you will get through it and gain insite on what is ailing you. It sounds like you are just looking for some relief!

I do not think of bipolar as the plague. I really don't understand your first paragraph.
I do need relief, but I never meant to offend anyone here! I am truly sorry if I offended anyone.

Never had an episode that wasn't precipitated by drugs, Prozac. I will discuss the cyclothymic possibility with the new pdoc. Thank you!!

Sometimes the Pdoc needs to sit back and look at your over all medications.. Often a drug is added here and there and noone really notices .. but it could be a problem causing issues.

I hope you find relief .

Thank you, Christina!!!

Hey sorry to hear! Obviously Prozac isn't working! I'd add Welburtrin with Prozac or switch SSRI's or try Cymbalta. If you haven't had an elvated mood or mixed mood in a year, my guess is you don't fit in the bipolar spectrum disorder mold. You most likely have MDD. Best of luck and I'd definetly switch docs! You shouldn't have to suffer from a depressive episode for that long of a time! Hope you find relief soon!!!

My husband was 'depressed' for years but then we finally realized he has mostly mixed episodes. This could be a possibility for you.

I believe you can find statistics like that on Dr. Phelps website: Bipolar II, Mood Swings without Mania; Brain Tours; Stress and Depression; Hormones and Mood; and more...

At the very least it sounds like you have treatment resistant depression, which means you could benefit from medications typically prescribed to individuals that have bipolar disorder. If your doctor has recommend lamotrigine to you, take him up on his offer. There is no definitive test, but the response you had to Prozac is a hallmark sign of a bipolar spectrum illness. How they label your illness is secondary to feeling better, I think you would feel better with the medications your doctor is recommending.

Can you elaborate on this Prozac thing.....?

Thank you. I spent a lot of time researching all that u suggested. I am going to bring this info to the new Pdoc next Tuesday.

Hi. I my depressions range in length but a solid 9 months + was my last one. It was heart-wrentching. I went manic on prozac, too. But i do suffer from elevated moods in the absence of AD's. I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Briefly, I have been on Prozac since 1987 for OCD at 40 mg. when it was raised to 60 mg I experienced horrible side effects, could not sleep though I wanted to desperately, horrible anxiety, heart racing, blood pressure up, blurry vision, tremulousness. This experience has led to a diagnosis of bipolar. I do take Prozac 40 now without a problem and I am not on a mood stabilizer, but I am on a high dose of gabapentin (3200 mg/day) does that count as a mood stabilizer ?

Sorry, Alokin, maybe u were asking Middlepath, I just realized. Sorry😥

Interesting. I am dx'd BP and Prozac made me lethargic…..

I think the consensus amongst bipolar experts is that Prozac as well as other SSRI's may send a bipolar patient in to mania/hypomania without a mood stabilizer on board. Don't quote me on that.

For me, Prozac didn't cause an untoward reaction until it was upped to 60 mg.

All I can say is the length of the episode depends on the person and the mixed-up body chemistry. I can be depressed for months and then mysteriously snap out.

I can relate to your relationship with your husband. I often wonder why my husband stays with me because of the bipolar. I get so depressed that I'll go a week without showering, keep the house in such disarray that I don't get the door, have gained a lot of weight from meds, and therefore abhor the idea of sex. When I was manic my husband refinanced our house and I blew through about $10k on God knows what. I also don't function and feel we have no life. He works very hard and I am on disability because I can't even function on simple tasks.

I totally relate to your words, also.

My boyfriend is possibly Bipolar. He's had manic episodes in his past, but for the past 2 years has only been on/off with depression & agitated depression... That still qualifies as a mood shift, in my opinion.

The label isn't the most important thing. And episodes last differently for different people -- my depressions are never longer than 2 weeks. And my hypos can last me months.

Go with your gut -- if the medicine isn't helping, see if there's maybe any lifestyle changes or therapy that can help? 25 years is too long to be on a medicine that doesn't work, dear. That's just the truth.

My longest depression has been two years, interspersed with mixed periods. My shortest depression has been a month. My manias are shorter, one to two weeks but I always seek treatment as I tend to be irritable instead of euphoric.

Thank you all for your insight. It is greatly appreciated.

Jill