Bipolar Trigger or Situational Depression?

It's not clear to me the difference between an episode of situational depression and that of a bipolar episode resulting from some sort of pre-identified trigger. Please share your thoughts and perspectives on the similarities and differences.

Triggers can bring on various types of episodes or anxiety and can be negative (like uncomfortable stress), positive (like something exciting in a happy way), or seemingly neutral (like more sunlight than usual). Situational depression is pretty much the same as the negative trigger, but usually a result of a circumstance or event and is always leading to depression. I think that on some occasions, negative triggers can even cause hypomania or mania as odd as that sounds. Maybe examples could be jet lag, alcohol abuse, or even overwork making one elevated instead of depressed. It seems odd when sad or stressful things bring on mania, but I can say it's happened to me. Maybe the mania is then mixed or oddly euphoric, which seems surprising. Then there is depression caused by a switch from mania (even euphoric mania). That seems to me to be sort of situational or even neutral in a sense.

Great question, vertigo!

I am looking forward to reading responses shared here.

Much love to you and to yours,

WC

Excellent question. I have read and tried to learn about the very question you're asking, but haven't found any truly clear answers. That leads me to believe that either different people react in different ways, or that psychiatry itself isn't sure of the answer. Whatever the case, I'm interested in this thread.

Don'y get too profund here. Just blame it on bipolar. The shrinks do. Why can't you.

Hahahaha. Actually, several times I've gone in to see my T thinking I was sinking into a depressive episode due to bipolar, but she suggests it's situational. It's not an attempt to get profound. It's an attempt earnest and honest to understand what's happening in my head.

Ptsd sent me reeling into a depression but it was a cut and dry situation.

I think the waters get muddy when there isn’t a clear cut “ reason”

I do think straight bipolar depression lasts longer than situational depression.

At least in my experience

Yes, I would agree with that. Good point.

I agree, too. Christina, your logic is always dependable and refreshing.

Losing my husband: situational depression
Low mood coming out of nowhere: bipolar depression

That's probably too simple of an explanation for what is a very complicated thing, but it works for me.

One of the signs for me is that a diversion can temporarily lift me out of situational depression. Not so much with bipolar.

I tend to believe that situational depression is more prevalent in those with BP than might often be believed. I do see on this board, at times, instances where I truly believe the depression is situational when it is attributed to BP.

I have completely agreed with my pdoc when she has said I've previously been in 'situational' depression because of my mother's cancer diagnosis and then problems with my relationship with my brother over her care and caring for her in and of itself (for her MS and cancer). It makes sense. That's what I believe.

I think the literature often says that BP depression tends to occur just after an episode of hypo/mania, that this is the cycle. This doesn't mean that it can't occur at other times; I have these questions in my head as well. I also don't think it's the longevity of depression that can mean it's due to BP: I believe a situational depression can turn into a prolonged depression, even after the original cause has dissipated or disappeared.

Great topic!

I agree with this. Still sit depression can take allot out of me.