[annmaria]

Hi all

Wondering how long does the depression last for, I can't take it anymore. I have been in this cycle since end of January. At times I think that all is going good and then I am down again.

I am trying to replace negative thoughts with positive, but as it's been months this is weary me down. I am very tired, started sleeping tablets again but I find that while they help to fall asleep. They don't let me have a full night sleep, any tips would be great. I am taking risperdal not on very long, what I find day to day, or hour to hour. Is that I feel ok and then suddenly a sinking feeling and back to feeling dreadful. Feels like I have no hope for future and then mood up again for awhile.

Thanks

Annmaria

[Icare dixit]

I can completely relate. I had that kind of severe, but not constant, depression for a few weeks, ending a few days ago.

What might've helped me is 5-HTP (you can never be sure: it could've been a coincidence), hydroxytryptophan, a serotonin precursor which is a bit like a shock therapy, since both 5-HTP metabolism (the rate/speed-limiting, slowest one) and serotonin are further metabolised quite quickly. Any atypical antipsychotic, however, retains serotonin longer than is usually the case. I took 150 mg in the evening and the next few days in the morning. Today I took 200 mg, but I haven't taken an antipsychotic today (it's quetiapine).

Another thing that most probably helps is to not try to think happy thoughts but purely objective thoughts: just observe your emotions and your surroundings and think about that (not about people, because you're likely to be subjective: that goes automatically and is warped by your depression). Another thing to focus on is ways to prevent these mood changes from happening again. You can influence that, maybe more so than you think, but now is a good time to make plans. Just assume you can find a solution that makes things at least easier and that you will have the time to execute your plan, which is of course likely, but you won't have much time, so you should prepare yourself and guard yourself for future distractions, during mania (or stability).

Edit:
Ok, I realise the depression I mentioned wasn't nearly that long, but I had a severe depression for two years and I survived, came out a new, different person, felt reborn, quite literally. But I was young and I don't mind the new me, much. Not that much. Maybe.

At any rate, it can take a long time and if it does, you'll develop, have developed, new abilities. For better or worse.

[gina_re]

I don't believe there is any set time for depression. Everyone experiences it differently. It could be weeks, days, months for anyone. If you feel as though it is getting worse, I would talk to your pdoc for more help and/or work with your T for extra help as well. I hope you are able to find some relief sooner rather than later. Please take care.

My depression used to last for months and it was moderate -- that is, until I began to cycle very rapidly, which resulted in my depression lasting 2-3 weeks and being very severe.

I know what you're going through, though. It sucks. I agree with gina_re that you should talk to your pdoc and your therapist. There are some fast-acting antipsychotics out there that might be able to pull you out of your depression. (For example, Latuda tends to work within 1-2 weeks.)

[Wander]

My depression can be deep and last for months but when I rapid cycle it can be only weeks before I switch back to hypo(mania). I feel for you. It is an awful place to be stuck in. Hang in there though as it will pass.

[MusicLover82]

My biggest challenge on the depression end of things is anxiety and obsession, and Latuda has helped me a immensely with my anxiety. You may want to ask your pdoc about possibly trying Latuda or something that can help bipolar depression. If my depression and obsessive episodes get too bad, my pdoc will put me on an antidepressant for a while, until I start swinging into hypomania, and then he'll either back off the antidepressant or have me stop taking it. I would most definitely talk to my pdoc if I were you.

Diagnoses: Bipolar 2, OCD, GAD
Meds: Lithium, Trileptal, Latuda, Risperdal, Xanax XR and Xanax PRN

[cmorales]

During the many, many years before I entered treatment, it seemed as though my depressions would just drag on sometimes. But since I've been on meds, not so much. I actually just had my first depressive episode in like 2, almost 3, years. Today is like my first normal day back. This round lasted about a month or so with mostly physical symptoms accompanied by a blah, apathetic feeling, which eventually sank into a dark, empty feeling.

The last time I had a depression that was so short in duration, it seemed like my brain was just pulling me down far enough to slingshot me into mania -- which it did. It doesn't seem like that is going to happen this time though.

[fairydustgirl]

My depressions have varied in length, the worst was the one that resulted in my bipolar diagnosis 10 years ago, I had a breakdown after months of undiagnosed mania and the depression lasted 7 months despite medications and therapy. In the ensuing years, I would have a twice yearly episode (episodes?), where I would climb into mania, slide down into dysphoric mania, then suddenly drop into severe depression, this took usually a matter of 4-6 weeks and then another month or so afterwards with intense treatment/med changes to come back up from the depression. It was really hard to live with this. I think one year I had about 4 months total of stability.

What I found to be helpful is to call my dr as soon as I realize things are going wrong (hard to do sometimes when you first go manic, I'm not very obvious when I am manic until my T talks to me for about 10 minutes)..between my T and my Pdoc I was able to stay out of the hospital in 2013, that was the last time I had severe episodes. That year, during the episode, I would see my T twice a week and my Pdoc once a week, along with med changes and this got me back to stability in a more timely manner. Never easy though, I have been through so many med changes that are dependent on what part of an episode I am in.

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by cmorales

During the many, many years before I entered treatment, it seemed as though my depressions would just drag on sometimes. But since I've been on meds, not so much. I actually just had my first depressive episode in like 2, almost 3, years. Today is like my first normal day back. This round lasted about a month or so with mostly physical symptoms accompanied by a blah, apathetic feeling, which eventually sank into a dark, empty feeling.

The last time I had a depression that was so short in duration, it seemed like my brain was just pulling me down far enough to slingshot me into mania -- which it did. It doesn't seem like that is going to happen this time though.

I have those slingshot depressions often. Sometimes hours. It's like running a course with a handicap, you eventually overtaking your opponent. Then crashing before the finish line, obviously.

[Crazy Hitch]

My depressive cycles generally tend to last around 6 months or so.

In having said that it also depends if there are external circumstances exacerbating the cause of my depression - if they are, they can last longer.

Mine lasts years

[annmaria]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

Mine lasts years

How do you cope justafriend, I am struggling since Jan and with meds not helping it's making me miserable .

I am changing from antipsychotic to mood stabilizer, pdoc doesn't want to give me anti depressant because of mania.

Thanks for reply

Annmaria