[giddykitty]

I know I have them few and far between, but it seems like I'm just jumping up and down a lot more than ever reaching the middle. Does anyone have normal moods and how long do they last? Is it proportionate to the highs and lows or highs and lows combined Or something different. I just thought I'd feel more normal by now. I feel lousy today after feeling high yesterday. Was it a fluke? Are the all flukes? Maybe I do just suffer from depression. Ohh man I feel so crappy and low today.

[~Christina]

I was baseline for almost a year, I miss it.

I’m dealing with situational ptsd for the past year.

[Unrigged64072835]

I've been stable for over a year and a half. That is close enough. There are ups and downs that are situational and I can handle those.

I get mood swings often, usually because I'm non-compliant with meds. I've been pretty complaint so far, however, but now that I've started to develop psychosis outside of mood episodes, I REALLY don't know what it's like to be normal.

Sucksss

Yup. Longer and shorter lengths of times depending on luck and med compliance.

Currently been on an even keel for ... a month? 2 maybe? I'm terrible with time, lol. At any rate, it's been awhile. I'm rarely all over the place, and if I am, it is for a spell of time that will pass. (Incidently, it's worth looking beyond BP if chaos is a constant state of affairs.)

The thing I have to be careful of when I'm stable for stretches long enough to forget (which doesn't take much, see above: time, haha), is to not get sloppy with my meds.

[Sunflower123]

Originally Posted by giddykitty

I know I have them few and far between, but it seems like I'm just jumping up and down a lot more than ever reaching the middle. Does anyone have normal moods and how long do they last? Is it proportionate to the highs and lows or highs and lows combined Or something different. I just thought I'd feel more normal by now. I feel lousy today after feeling high yesterday. Was it a fluke? Are the all flukes? Maybe I do just suffer from depression. Ohh man I feel so crappy and low today.

I hope you feel better soon. I’ve been stable for about 6 months with mostly “normal” moods due to a medication change. I have situational highs and lows because I am emotionally sensitive but I can handle that. I don’t know how long it will last but I’m hopeful. Sending big hugs.

[wildflowerchild25]

I’ve been normal for about five days now which is the longest since February. Which is sad. But I’m hoping without the stress of my awful job I will have more normalcy in my life.

[*Laurie*]

I'm compliant with meds and have (I guess) a normal mood for up to (maybe) 10 days at a time. Maybe sometimes longer...sort of. But even with the normal mood there's a slight feeling of depression, and I'm very tired and would like to sleep for the day. Sometimes I think about dropping my Lamictal altogether so I'll be hypomanic and feel great. But if I do that I'll also get hostile, which causes it's own problems. Plus I might go up into mania itself, then I have to re-start the whole med thing.

[Teddy Bear]

I can go months with being normal

In my view and option, I'm only 'normal' when I don't have to deal with other people (not you guys) and I sleep, eat and just feel better about myself.

Society can kiss my assignment..

Of course I do. I'll admit that for quite a long time it seemed like I didn't, but that changed again.

No. Even when I'm not manic or depressed (to my knowledge) I still have crazy mood swings that are usually caused by something and only last a few hours. I haven't felt "normal" since before I smashed my head on pavement.

[Nola0250]

I don't know what normal is. Some days I feel calm. But I've been cycling ever since I can remember so I even though I usually look outwardly calm (trained to hide my feelings from a young age) I am not.

[pirilin]

Do me a favor, describe what you perceive as normal.

[giddykitty]

Originally Posted by pirilin

Do me a favor, describe what you perceive as normal.

yeah, right. So um like not depressed and not like overly excitable about things or dysphoric. But I think the point of this thread is that I don't know what is "normal" or maybe my normal is my "hypomania" or maybe I rapid cycle so much and only have a few normal days, days where things don't overly stimulate me whether it be depress or feel "too good". Yeah, like I said, I'm trying to figure it out. I do have "normal" days, but they're few and far between I wonder if my "hypo" is just part of my normal and I'm really just depressed. hmm

[pirilin]

Originally Posted by giddykitty

yeah, right. So um like not depressed and not like overly excitable about things or dysphoric. But I think the point of this thread is that I don't know what is "normal" or maybe my normal is my "hypomania" or maybe I rapid cycle so much and only have a few normal days, days where things don't overly stimulate me whether it be depress or feel "too good". Yeah, like I said, I'm trying to figure it out. I do have "normal" days, but they're few and far between I wonder if my "hypo" is just part of my normal and I'm really just depressed. hmm

What nowadays is called hypo, was called hyper. I was a hyper kid and I keep being a hyper old kid. It's my normal. In the sence of the word, I've never had a normal day in the eyes of others.
I feel at peace with myself almost all the time. Even when i do what some consider wrong. I do things from my reasoning, and for my well being.

Have I ever had a normal day as defined by others?. No. Hell no.
People don't understand what I say, let alone what I do. I don't care. Their loss.
I've been so blessed in many aspects, Wives, kids, money etc, and that has allowed me to get away with the life I lead.
My daughter tried to be like me. Until one day, when she told me. "you know, it's to much effort, too risky to be like you". She's not a natural. TG.
I never said it was easy. It's just the way I am. That's my normal.

[BipolaRNurse]

I don't know what "normal" is. I've never been "normal". But I have been stable for the most part during the last three years, with a few minor hiccups like spring hypomania and winter blues. It works for me...no big mood swings anymore. Sometimes I miss having emotions though.

[Amazonmom]

I'm stable most of the time but right now i'm pretty depressed. It's been years since I really had episodes of any consequence so i'm kinda upset

Not here!

[giddykitty]

I feel like I'm going through a normal mood right now, so... except I am a tad excitable. Maybe that is just me.

[Gabyunbound]

I think having mood swings, to some extent, can be 'normal' and not constitute BP episodes. Everyone has ups and downs. But it sounds like you're currently depressed and I hope you feel better soon.

If you have a combination of BP and BPD (and I don't know if you do), then I'm assuming that, if the BPD is active, there must be a hell on earth combination of severe mood swings due to almost daily situational issues and BP episodes, maybe only occasional, as well.

[pirilin]

I definetely do. It's them who are crazy.

[Amazonmom]

Most of my moods are normal. I'm lucky in that my episodes have only ever really happened under stressor events. My T and NP say that I have a good amount of insight into my own behaviors and I count my blessings for that insight.