Hitting the Wall...

Everything had been going great. I was exercising without any problems. I was probably hypomanic or manic. No medication changes, no alcohol, and no cigarettes. Then it’s if I hit the proverbial wall. My cognitive functions remain positive and I’m not depressed, but my body won’t respond. I sleep more then usual and it’s taken a long time to repair the architecture of my sleep at night. Are these signs of a relapse into depression?

While people with bipolar commonly crash after a hypo/manic episode, crashing doesn't always happen. Moreover, crashing into a mixed state or a depressive state doesn't always involve sadness, which can make it difficult for us to determine if we're actually depressed or not. In the case there is no sadness involved, look for anhedonia.

Also, if we're manic and getting less sleep than normal, our bodies do need to recharge at some point. Recharging could be one reason we sleep more than usual.

Now ignore the sleep issues for a second -- can you elaborate on how you're feeling right now? Everything you're feeling. For example, "not motivated" or "stressed out"

No I actually my attitude seems to be great. I’m just enjoying being out of the manic state and doing the things I used to do. My memory is selectively erasing the past 5 yrs of being in a near catatonic state. It’s just that the last time I cycled into depression this is how it began...

Sorry you're going through this.

We can get delayed depression, yes. I have gotten delayed depression myself.

Are you seeing a therapist or psychiatrist right now? I think you should take this opportunity to tell them what's been going on if you haven't told them already. They may be able to add or increase a med's dosage to prevent depression from occurring or at least mitigate depressive symptoms if you do get depression. Are you willing to do that?

I see a therapist and a psychiatrist so I’m all good on those fronts. As far as a change in medication I’m very hesitant bc I’ve rocked the boat before and been burned, it’s taken years to find the combination I’m on. I believe pills are necessary but I believe the long term treament requires cognitive therapy and believing in neuroplasticity.