[Chimera1]

I haven't been formally diagnosed, but am positive I suffer from depression.

I don't know what it's like for everyone else, but for me I feel almost drugged when I'm depressed....I can hardly speak, my voice is low, no concentration, sad thoughts, etc. I almost feel sick and groggy.

Anyway, I usually have a general low going, but once in a while it dips lower or I feel slightly "up". I'm not taking medication, for Prozac just made me feel so tired.

The day before yesterday, out of the blue, I dropped low. I had all the symptoms I had above. I even looked back to see what I ate, for it almost felt like a reaction. I cried (or felt like crying) most of the day. The following day that feeling was gone and I felt happy, peaceful and talkative. My voice was brighter, etc. I wasn't high like a Bipolar high might be described, but the darkness had lifted and I felt normal.

This happens out of the blue, on and off. It used to be more like PMS (which I do have), but these moods change outside of that hormonal time.

Is your depression long lasting? Does it come and go ?

Thanks for the help!

[Rohag]

Hi, Chimera1! (I've been on medications for a long time, so you have to take my answer within that frame.) My primary experience of depression is that of a continuous, somewhat low mood wedded to a "vast emptiness" and apathy with associated psychomotor slowing. Every once in a while I do experience moments of elevated mood, which quickly dissolve, and "spells" of deep shock - like being punched in the gut - that leave me mute and sometimes floored (literally).

Yes, I have multiple diagnoses and there's some sort of neurological component to my case, but the docs haven't agreed what it is.

No matter what your flavor of depression, it sucks.

[Naturefreak]

Chimera , It all depends on the person , it could be the current situation they are in , how well your body reacts to certain medications , their ability to think positive , if therapy is productive , for me it comes and goes , but mostly comes.
I hope you are one of the fortunate ones that depression doesn't
grab hold and not let go . Only time will tell .
Take Care of yourself

[depressedalaskan]

Originally Posted by Chimera1

I haven't been formally diagnosed, but am positive I suffer from depression.

I don't know what it's like for everyone else, but for me I feel almost drugged when I'm depressed....I can hardly speak, my voice is low, no concentration, sad thoughts, etc. I almost feel sick and groggy.

Anyway, I usually have a general low going, but once in a while it dips lower or I feel slightly "up". I'm not taking medication, for Prozac just made me feel so tired.

The day before yesterday, out of the blue, I dropped low. I had all the symptoms I had above. I even looked back to see what I ate, for it almost felt like a reaction. I cried (or felt like crying) most of the day. The following day that feeling was gone and I felt happy, peaceful and talkative. My voice was brighter, etc. I wasn't high like a Bipolar high might be described, but the darkness had lifted and I felt normal.

This happens out of the blue, on and off. It used to be more like PMS (which I do have), but these moods change outside of that hormonal time.

Is your depression long lasting? Does it come and go ?

Thanks for the help!

I don't want to scare you but I have been depressed for almost as far back as I can remember. But I have only been seeking help for about 8 years as I did not know about depression. I just always thought the way I felt to be normal. I have had some bad spots in my life where I could not even get out of bed for long. Longest episode about 6 weeks in bed at one time. And about 4 months without doing anything at all other than fighting to stay alive. Depression hits us all differently. I have been going to therapists, taking medications and seeing doctors for 8 years. The real lows come and they go. I sure wish the one I am on now would leave me alone for a while. Good luck, never be afraid to ask for help or post here. Hugs for your day.

[AceDarren]

My depression comes and goes in big ways, so much so that I am almost convinced I am bipolar (I'm seeing a therapist in a matter of weeks or even days, so time will tell, though my main concerns are the dillusions I am having). I go from feeling very, very down, much like what you are describing to the point of feeling drugged. Some times I can't even move a muscle and just sit on my floor with my eyes closed. I think those times last an average of two days or so (though I have had it last for weeks at a time), and then I come back to life, which can go to the point of thinking myself superior to everyone around me. I'd say I'm much, much more down than not, and the "highs" last a very short time before I'm slapped back into reality, but I do feel neutral at some times as well.
My most recent down feeling lasted about a day and a half. When I woke up the next day I felt better. But the worst is when it physically affects me like you said. And sometimes nothing can help it, but to try to think positively or to sleep it off.
Have a nice weekend -Ace

[Tumnus]

Originally Posted by Chimera1

.

I don't know what it's like for everyone else, but for me I feel almost drugged when I'm depressed....I can hardly speak, my voice is low, no concentration, sad thoughts, etc. I almost feel sick and groggy.

Is your depression long lasting? Does it come and go ?

Thanks for the help!

A friend described me as walking through a Nyquil fog when I'm depressed. I laughed at that because that's kind of what it feels like when I'm up and doing things. Plus a lot of thoughts about self-harm or worse, depending on how depressed I am. I am one of those whose mood can go up when I experience something fun or pleasant, only to have it plunge when it's over. But my mood doesn't always go up in those times. I'm worst in the winter and I have increasing anxiety the closer we get to September, because that's when I started getting really bad again last year. I actually did pretty well for a couple of months this summer for the first time in a couple of years.

[Elysium]

Good question....

I have to say that I am with Rohag on this one. I have a chronic low level of depression at all times (dysthymia) but also deal with horrible intermittent bouts of severe depression and reactive depression. Since I started on my Anti-D meds the length of time in between bouts of severe depression have lengthened a bit and the severe lows don't seem to last as long.

Regardless of what type anyone has though, it is a devastating disease and I'm sorry for all others that are affected by it...

I also have DID and since beginning treatment earlier this year, I switch moods a lot as I switch alters....this can be very disconcerting....especially with the underlying depression. Other times, I can't really tell what I'm feeling.

[justfloating]

hi Chimera, welcome to pc

I think the length of a depressive episode varies from person to person and circumstance to circumstance, but for me, my first (and hopefully last!) bad episode lasted about a year. Within that time frame, I moved away from home and started university in a new country, where I began to feel overwhelmed to the point where I didn't want to get out of bed. Then not wanting to get out of bed turned into a complete inability to get out of bed for days at a time. I ate just enough to keep my hunger pangs from keeping me awake, I shut myself up in my room and I avoided people and wound up missing a lot of my classes. This was the end of my first year. By the middle of my second year, I had started thinking about suicide and wishing I could just die. Eventually I went to student support so that I could let the university know I was struggling, and it took a LOT of medication and therapy for me to slowly start climbing out of the hole. Today, I experience bouts of low mood and I can occasionally feel the depression creeping back in, but with therapy and a lot of will power I'm pretty good at fighting it back, or at least getting out of bed and getting things done even if on the inside I'm still not where I'd like to be. I can't give it a set time frame but I would say that the worst of my depression (ie, when I was suicidal and couldn't function at the most basic levels) lasted about six months. Before that was a few months of constant low moods occasionally punctuated by better moods that never really lasted long before I was back to feeling depressed.

Depression is different for everyone, but I think for all of us it's an uphill battle. If you're not seeing a doctor right now, it might be a good idea. There are all kinds of meds out there, or your doctor could refer you to a therapist if you think that might help, not to mention it might give you some peace of mind to have a solid diagnosis. Keep us posted on how you're doing, and again, welcome.

[kris9999]

My depression lasts MONTHS... I am bipolar though and it goes from just plain depression to manic depression, those are my two moods I switch between. I was only manic depressive for about a month and a half and have been just plain depressed since May. I have "happy" days where I'm feeling better than most days but I still feel the depression lurking behind me.

Depression does vary from person to person, some people depression lasts months, (I've even heard of years but thankfully it's never happened to me) and some last a day or two, it just depends on the person and what is causing the depression

[mvanessa]

I have depression where some days I am fine and some days I am not. Im never manic, but go between depression and a normal mood. Every depression episode is different tho in the lenght of time.

[lynn09]

May I just add my 50 cents worth here. Make certain that your regular medical doctor has run every conceivable test on you to check your hormone levels, thyroid, and everything else. Also, check into the possibility of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) related to lack of sunlight in the winter or rainy months. Also, check your diets - visit WebMD - they have GREAT articles on different foods that can actually cause depression and those that help alleviate it , such as fish oil (improves brain function). Sometimes depression and other problems can actually be the result of allergies to foods and other substances. Become your best friend, your most attentive caretaker, and avail yourself of every single thing in the arsenal to fight back. There is SO much help available today from infinite sources. Give yourself the best possible chance you can to take charge of this condition - don't let it control you.

[Josie Sullivan]

Mine lasts for a couple of days but occasionally it can be for a week or so. Dunno if that is common in depressive conditions. I am not getting any help for it yet. But i probably will sooner or later.

[googley]

I am on meds for my depression, so like someone before said, take it in that light. I tend to have chronic low levels of depression with intermittent severe depression that can last from a couple weeks to a couple months. Within those I usually do have periods of feeling better (usually up to a couple of hours). While I don't know that it is ever going to go away completely, I am much better at dealing with the affects of it on me now than I was before.

[depressedalaskan]

Thinking thinking To long.....hugs for your day.