[MagicsMom]

How long can depression last with BP II? I've been depressed for a year even after trying a lot of different meds. I classically fit BP II except my hypomania only comes for brief period - like a day or two then it's back to the black depression.

I read the depressive period usually lasts months at most.

Was I miss-diagnosed or just treatment resistant? Or may it be normal for me to have an extremely long depressive cycle?

I've been depressed off and on all my life but nothing like this.

Tegretol took me out of it briefly but it's coming back and I'm having side effects from the medication.

Any thoughts?

[Bipolarchic14]

I went through an episode that lasted three years...and 10 months ago I slipped back into another one and I am still depressed. It sucks...I know your pain.

[r010159]

I have been depressed to varying degrees for years. I sometimes can be productive, but this does not happen much. I sometimes go into hypomania, but this part also doesn't happen as much. I have felt "normal", happy, and productive only 10 years ago for a brief period of time and now recently. I am hoping its because of the med change.

[MagicsMom]

Thanks! I hope you both feel better soon.