Ive been thinking a lot about this problem lately... and I think I'm confusing myself... but nonetheless, it has intrigued me

Sooo

How do you tell the difference between situational depression and non-situational depression?

Before you answer, think: how do my depressions start? Do you begin to think negatively and therefore you become depressed, or do you become depressed and therefore think negatively? Chicken and egg problem, perhaps?

To give a real-life example: you suddenly start to think "hmmm... I think I've accomplished a lot... but now I wonder if I really have. I feel like maybe it's not a lot. Let me see what my friends have accomplished... Confirmed: they've accomplished a lot more than me. I'm a failure."

Do you think this problem statement could explain why medications help sometimes and why other times they don't? You know... maybe meds don't work so well for situational stuff? That's where I'm getting at

[RainyDay107]

I don't have a background in medicine, but a manic episode almost always turns into a depressive episode for me.

I've read that dopamine receptors can be "overloaded," and depleted by stimulants and can cause a mood dive because a person's brain cannot replenish dopamine naturally for awhile. Granted, I am no doctor and I've read it for chronic usage. Prescription stimulants and meth. Not implying your situation is related, at all.

I did read your "beware" thread and while my experience was stress-induced, I became delusional and had psychotic paranoia like you described. It was awful. It kept getting darker and it was a mixed episode, which is part-depression. A lot of meds pulled me out of it.

My worst depression of mine was not situational. My life was going well (I thought) and I had ... I was suicidal. It was awful and I believe it was simply a chemical imbalance and part of my bipolar disorder. I felt like I was in a deep hole and things were hopeless. I eventually became emotionless and the world seemed grey. I was disassociating, too.

I've had situational depression, but for me, it's shorter in time length and I respond to med changes quickly. However, if it is a huge loss like a death of a loved one...depression lasts longer as I go through the grief process. Therapy and time helped me more than meds.

My pdoc told me that thinks being physically ill or having significant financial problems can trigger depression. Pain meds, opiates, make some people depressed.

Hope that helps. Take care. Try to remember depression WILL pass. I've needed meds to help me, every time. Med changes or dosage increases. Raising Lamictal, too.

Drinking alcohol always made recovery from depression impossible. It made my anti-d's not work. It made me feel worse and the anxiety the next day...awful. I self-medicated with alcohol early on in my diagnosis.

I hope this helps. What does your pdoc say?

[pirilin]

Depression is depression.

[xRavenx]

Interesting question. I think about this a lot too....

Situational depression could lead to an actual depressive episode for me. The thoughts become darker, more negative, and overpowering. Sometimes it turns into a mixed manic state where it triggers paranoia and racing thoughts. Also, going through bad situations often increase rapid cycling in me.

I wish I could let go of things easily, but I can't. Those of us with BP or a mood disorder are especially vulnerable when negative life events or changes occur. I think therapy plays an important role though in addressing situational depression, especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help work on coping with and challenging self-defeating thoughts, or at least having the support while dealing with certain situations (along with the help of meds though).

[still_crazy]

this is like "endogenous" versus "reactive" depression distinctions made back in the day. I dunno...I don't think its a very meaningful (or useful) distinction.

[Wild Coyote]

My depressions are severe and truly paralyzing.
A deep, dark abyss.

While I respect CBT/DBT and highly recommend these modalities, I need meds to have a chance of surviving the depressions when they hit.

Situational factors may or may not add to the depression.
I could win the lottery (or experience an event similar) and still not be able to overcome paralyzing depression.


WC

[hopeless2015]

I don't know I went through a year of dark depression but I also had a lot of financial problems going on, had to file bankruptcy, because of my state of mind it took me 9 months to get my paperwork completed for the attorney, once the bankruptcy was finalized I did feel like a weight had been lifted but the depression lingered I thought this was situational but was it? I just started going to the gym two weeks ago and guess what, the depression is lifting, I know I'm doing something good
for myself and I'm feeling better...a totally different situation now. I'm on a lot of meds, are the meds doing this or is it the exercise, whatever it is I'll take it. I haven't missed work, I haven't laid in bed in the pitch black bedroom feeling like the worst person on the world and undeserving of love, etc. Like I said I don't know, was the last depressive episode situational or chemical? Maybe a bit of both.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by hopeless2015

I don't know I went through a year of dark depression but I also had a lot of financial problems going on, had to file bankruptcy, because of my state of mind it took me 9 months to get my paperwork completed for the attorney, once the bankruptcy was finalized I did feel like a weight had been lifted but the depression lingered I thought this was situational but was it? I just started going to the gym two weeks ago and guess what, the depression is lifting, I know I'm doing something good
for myself and I'm feeling better...a totally different situation now. I'm on a lot of meds, are the meds doing this or is it the exercise, whatever it is I'll take it. I haven't missed work, I haven't laid in bed in the pitch black bedroom feeling like the worst person on the world and undeserving of love, etc. Like I said I don't know, was the last depressive episode situational or chemical? Maybe a bit of both.

I also find exercise can help.


WC

[Fuzzybear]

[bizi]

Stop comparing yourself to other people!
this is not helpful and only hurts you in the the time being.
((((HUGS)))))
bizi

[Unrigged64072835]

I've had both. Situational depression can be worked out of; bipolar depression can't. Things can be done alleviate situational depression; Bipolar depression takes meds and time. Not that bipolar depression can be lifted for periods of time, but it occurs with cycles or even randomly.

[bizi]

bump for blue