Do you get atypical depression?

Do you have atypical depression where little things can bolster your mood temporarily? I'm not talking about going from miserable to "slightly less miserable," but going from miserable to content/happy for a few hours because something good happened.

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Me personally? Nope. I don't get that kind of depression.

Hi Bluebicycle,

I think I personally have struggled with both kinds of depression at different times in my life. Hopefully you will get many responses to your post. Depression can be so heartbreaking.

I think so, but in those cases the depression would be several days or weeks (or months) most of the day(s). Sometimes as I'm transitioning between episodes, I'll even have a good (or bad) day or two or three and then the other. I get mixed features that occasionally have those characteristics.

That sounds like my more milder depressions

I've had what has been diagnosed as "Atypical Depression," over and over again. It was nothing like what you are describing. It was extremely severe and lasted several months to years.

I do understand BirdDancer's experience/description as being a part of transitioning or stabilizing within the experience of BP.. I think it's likely we all experience this.

The description you have given, Blue, sounds much more like a personality type of an issue to me. I believe I have read rapid mood changes based upon these types of external events are more likely BPD. However, I am not a pdoc!

Is It Bipolar Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder? | Psychology Today

When I was depressed and something good happened, even if really good, I got a energy boost (non productive) and felt very anxious. It wasnt nice.

Once I was told my depression looked atypical (oversleep, overeating and reactive anxiety/agitation)

When mildly depressed, situational stuff can still lift my mood, so in that case I've experienced it. My most common form of depression is the fatigued, sleeping too much, wanting to eat more type that are commonly called "atypical depression" symptoms and I think typical for SAD. I don't really know why it's called atypical, as they seem like common symptoms to me, but that is just how I've heard it described.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OliverB When I was depressed and something good happened, even if really good, I got a energy boost (non productive) and felt very anxious. It wasnt nice. Once I was told my depression looked atypical (oversleep, overeating and reactive anxiety/agitation)

^^^ I'd describe my own experience as OliverB described his. I would be inclined to call it a mixed state.

What Is Atypical Depression? | Betterhelp

Here is a quote:

"Mood Reactivity

Mood reactivity means that you react to positive events with positivity, even though you are depressed. While a person with a typical depression continues to feel bad no matter what happens, a person with atypical depression can feel happy when something good happens."

BTW here is an interesting article that covers all the recognized forms of depression, including atypical.

The Different Faces of Depression | Psychology Today.

It's an interesting topic.

I have had several different pdocs talk about completely different ideas as to what comprises "Atypical Depression," when it was noted in my medical records. I believe it is a term that has become over-used and no longer indicates any specific condition, but many different conditions.

At this university, when someone's diagnosis is noted as "atypical," the question is : What did the prior pdoc mean? Atypical in what way?

I am told by my friend who is a professor of psychiatry here at the medical university: What used to be called "atypical" depressions used to be very severe and are now more commonly now known as "Bipolar Depression."

From what I have read and have been told by practitioners (pdocs), the rapid changes in mood, as in changes within any given day, are characteristic of BPD.

So many different sources have different ideas/info in this topic.

I'm right in the middle of what used to be called "atypical depression". I eat too much, sleep too much, have trouble getting motivated etc. but I can also enjoy the good things that happen, and the depression usually goes away in the afternoon and evening. I have never been diagnosed with SAD by itself, but my pdoc says it's part of my bipolar seasonal pattern. Whatever it is, at least it's not a suicidal type depression in which every fiber of my being longs for death.

I think this describes my experience best.
That's interesting that is a definition for atypical. I agree with you yellow that it seems like it'd be more typical.

This is a good explanation. I think I mostly suffer from this atypical, but I've experienced melancholic and I think the anxious one (Anxiety following depression. I think)

This is confusing! I tested for bpd (or I was supposed to have) but did not get diagnosed. And as stated above, my depression appears atypical so therfore i have bipolar? I mean, maybe i do (unspecified was my dx). I feel like i have experienced mixed states, but I thi k that was when I was experimenti g with meds as it seems to have gone ( I thi k??)

I definitely experience atypical depression. My mood can be lifted for short periods by something good or being in a good situation. Then right back to lack of energy, laying around, negative thinking, eating too much. It's frustrating because I feel like I'm just waiting, hoping for the next good thing to happen to give me a reprieve as I sink lower.

This describes me! Fortunately, my workday begins late in the morning. I still am depressed, but more manageable,

I agree. It's very confusing!

I was trying to support the reality that this particular diagnosis is very confusing.

"I believe it is a term that has become over-used and no longer indicates any specific condition, but many different conditions."

"So many different sources have different ideas/info in this topic. "

It may help to remember that many cases do not fit any diagnosis, specifically. Many are determined by the closest approximation of a diagnosis. It's most important to obtain diagnostic info from your health care professional.

Additionally, some of us here have been consumers of mental health services for 20-30 years. In some cases, we have watched various diagnoses "morph" over the years.

I hope you find the diagnosis which most accurately describes your experience, if doing so feels helpful to you!