[NolaMae]

I went through a manic phase a couple of months ago and now I feel like I'm sliding into depression. Here's what I'm experiencing:

Exhaustion - hard to get up in the morning and I nap during the afternoon.

Lack of motivation - don't want to do anything at all. I don't even want to shower or wash my hair. I don't want to watch what I eat, I don't want to exercise. I don't want to do ANYTHING. Sometimes I just sit and stare at the wall.

Disinterest in some (not all) activities that I used to enjoy

I don't feel an overwhelming sadness or desire to hurt myself in any way. I just feel like I might be lazy instead of depressed. My pdoc upped my antidepressant a few weeks ago, but so far no help. I can't get in to see her for a couple of weeks.

I hope I'm not just lazy.

[Guiness187055]

For me it's depression I have the same symptoms as you. I would see a doctor and tell him your symptoms so he can treat them.

It could just be a vitamin deficiency or a virus. Not everything is linked to mental illness. I think you should have a blood test and check for anemia or whatever the GP suggests. In the mean time, avoid junk food and alcohol, but drink enough water.

In any case, your personal hygiene should still be a priority. I really hope it's not a dark cloud heading your way, if so I'm sure you'll be fine. We don't always bounce back right away and that is why this place is a god send.

I'm not trying to downsize your urgency, just hoping you keep an open mind when dealing with situations not common with you.

Have a nice cuppa

[Wild Coyote]

I struggle with many of the same things on a daily basis. I live with severe depression and a few medical conditions.

Your apathy could be a by-product of depression.

Have you had a complete medical work-up, including thyroid testing?
If not, it may be a good idea to also see your primary care doctor.

Please keep us in the loop with how you are getting on?

Take care.

WC

[Leia78]

Originally Posted by 2ISAB

It could just be a vitamin c or a virus. Not everything is linked to mental illness. I think you should have a blood test and check for anemia or whatever the GP suggests. In the mean time, avoid junk food and alcohol, but drink enough water.

In any case, your personal hygiene should still be a priority. I really hope it's not a dark cloud heading your way, if so I'm sure you'll be fine. We don't always bounce back right away and that is why this place is a god send.

I'm not trying to downsize your urgency, just hoping you keep an open mind when dealing with situations not common with you.

Have a nice cuppa

Your suggestions are fine but I get the impression that you are not familiar with the cyclic changes of Bipolar. Most depressions and manias are not situations of being "situations not common to you". Most Bipolars can recognize depression vs a medical deficiency. How familiar are you with these situations?

Most manias lead to a depression afterwards. I do not think the poster is lazy and is doing the best they can at the moment. I've been there. Several times. For the poster, Hang in there and contact your psychiatrist. He/She may be able to make a med tweak.

[hopeless2015]

I also have these symptoms when depressed, it's not laziness. Let your pdoc know and keep posting here, you'll find lots of support. HUGS!!

Originally Posted by Leia78

I get the impression that you are not familiar with the cyclic changes of Bipolar

Why? Because I'm type two? I don't read enough books? What qualifies you to determine what I know from what I write.

I suggested a possibility with bipolar that health is usually at the bottom of priorities. indeed negligent towards the simpler things regardless of how the individual processes that information. I do believe taking certain care eliminates most of the guess work.

Just because my emotions are black and white, doesn't mean my thoughts are.
Peace

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by 2ISAB

Why? Because I'm type two? I don't read enough books? What qualifies you to determine what I know from what I write.

I suggested a possibility with bipolar that health is usually at the bottom of priorities. indeed negligent towards the simpler things regardless of how the individual processes that information. I do believe taking certain care eliminates most of the guess work.

Just because my emotions are black and white, doesn't mean my thoughts are.
Peace

I'd suggested a health check-up if needed, as well.
Health can definitely play a part.
Your original comment was fine, in my very humble opinion.
Please keep posting with us.


WC

I know full blown manias and severe depressions well, but my flavor of bipolar 1 has included low grade extended hypomanias and depressions a lot in my life. The low grade hypomanias are usually pretty nice (save some occasional irritability and impulsive statement uttered). My low grade depressions are exactly what the OP describes. I'm in one now. It started about 2.5 weeks ago. My pdoc really hasn't done much about it. He's waiting to see if a circumstance this week may help.

I do have level stable periods, but my see saw isn't just programmed to three positions (full mania, stable, depressed). It's more like those old kinds of scales where one side has slightly more or less weight than the other. Only sometimes does one end quickly dominate.

Frankly, I don't think my "flavor" is that uncommon.

If I could be a lot more productive right now I could be. It's not laziness holding me back.

[willamped]

Thank you very match!

[ForestWasp]

I deffinelty would not say your lazy. My depression does that to me and there are times I don't want to leave my bed and there is nothing I can do to help it. Usually med changes are what it takes to get me out of the funk.

[wiretwister]

I work 40 hours a week ... ( don't thing I am lazy ? ) ... and have most of your symptoms ... mine is depression for sure ... I can feel it get better then drift back ... as long as it does not get too black I just live with it ... really been so long it seems like who I really am ... it just seems being down is better than the other ( mine is rage mostly ... almost all negative ) ...

take care of yourself ... I find an ironclad sleep regiment and eating better helps me the most ... and as said lots of water ... and of course my meds ...

be well my friend ... Tigger .

[leomama]

Originally Posted by 2ISAB

Why? Because I'm type two? I don't read enough books? What qualifies you to determine what I know from what I write.

I suggested a possibility with bipolar that health is usually at the bottom of priorities. indeed negligent towards the simpler things regardless of how the individual processes that information. I do believe taking certain care eliminates most of the guess work.

Just because my emotions are black and white, doesn't mean my thoughts are.
Peace

That’s interesting you were attacked. When I was first dx it was type 2 as well although it’s morphed to mixed moderate. Perhaps we should start our own thread.

[Mohammed Bindal]

I always asked this question myself. Never got the answer. I think laziness leads to depression and change of situation can break this depression cycle.

In past I have used foreign trips on a budget travel to break this depression. I successfully did. But my depression is recurrent despite having money to afford my mind does not allowe to take this route anymore. Its very expensive and can be addictive.

But no harm in trying if you believe u have self control and u can exercise mindfulness while on foreign travel.

There is a risk of getting into mania so use your counsellors advice and definately take your parents along. It is a win win .you benefit from change of environment and Ur parents gets recharged





[/B]

Originally Posted by NolaMae

I went through a manic phase a couple of months ago and now I feel like I'm sliding into depression. Here's what I'm experiencing:

Exhaustion - hard to get up in the morning and I nap during the afternoon.

Lack of motivation - don't want to do anything at all. I don't even want to shower or wash my hair. I don't want to watch what I eat, I don't want to exercise. I don't want to do ANYTHING. Sometimes I just sit and stare at the wall.

Disinterest in some (not all) activities that I used to enjoy

I don't feel an overwhelming sadness or desire to hurt myself in any way. I just feel like I might be lazy instead of depressed. My pdoc upped my antidepressant a few weeks ago, but so far no help. I can't get in to see her for a couple of weeks.

I hope I'm not just lazy.

[Unrigged64072835]

I don't think you're lazy. I've had those symptoms too when I'm depressed.

It may take a while for your AD to be therapeutic, so hold on.