Clockwork Depression

I am trying to figure out how to explain how my mood cycles. It is almost like clock work and I can tell when I am going to have a proverbial crash. For example:

• 9/6 - 9/13
  • I was in a relatively "Normal" mood for me, I was laid back, relaxed, and calm. No real issues occurred.
• 9/14 - 9/15
  • I started having trouble sleeping starting the night of 9/13.
  • 9/14 & 9/15 I had to take a Valium just to get my brain to stop overtaking my ability to sleep.
  • According to my Fiancee, I have been annoyingly happy, and I was talking typically at a high rate of speed.
  • I started seeing things again *SIGH*.
• 9/16
  • I woke up and was barely able to get out of bed.
  • I was exhausted even though I got a decent amount of sleep once I was asleep.
  • I barely made it to my physical therapy on time, and when I was there I wanted to just leave.
  • I cancelled my Volunteer job for the day.
  • I went to bed after blogging about 4 pages worth of stuff.
  • Although my mood was a bit better for a short time after the nap, it took another nose-dive a couple hours before bed.
  • Bedtime resulted in me having to take Valium just to get me tired enough and to turn the noise off in my brain.
  • I was disconnected from my relationship with my Fiancee.
• 9/17
  • I have woken up in a better mood, I am feeling "Normal".
  • I feel more connected to my relationship with my Fiancee.
  • I am in better spirits.

Is there anyone who has issues, such as spikes in either direction, and some normality (on or off anti-depressants)? I am just trying to get a handle on what is going on and just am looking for some input.

I am not a doctor, but my though is maybe you could having some type of mixed episode or rapid cycling. It is of course possible tha tyou are just normal inbetween depressive episodes, but I worry about your days of elevated mood, racing thoughts and seeing things. I would recommend you discuss these symptoms with your pdoc.

At this point, I am just chalking it up to being normal at this point. I looked back at my blog in the past and am finding that I am going through these cycles about once a month on or about the 14th of the month. To the point where I can get pretty dark in my thoughts although I am smart enough to keep myself in check. This is a good thing to start paying attention to these things

Is there anything specific about the 14th of th emonth? Like full moon, a trigger date, your period (if you're female, couldn't find it on your profile), sorry), etc.?

I have been on Zoloft for about a month now (1 month as of tomorrow), but even when I was on Lamictal, I had spikes too. Not really sure why this is happening as there is no triggers that come to mind aside from weather. I am keeping tabs on what is going on around me now so I can talk to my Psychologist on Monday. (Oh and I am male)

I wonder if males have monthy hormone cycles as well?

Hello, 1D10T!
Excellent! Your psychologist should see your mood diary, especially the information in the original post above -- you could print it out and use it in the session. (This is something I've done in the past, taken posts I've made on PsychCentral and edited them together for my doctors.)

thats great you can time it! i bet that is a BIG step toward finding answers. good luck to you.

I can relate. I deal with depression and bipolar 1 my depression usually hits during the season changes and under extreem stress. The best thing is
To know your down times and trust your docs. You can do this it's been a long time they the pill factory to get a good balance . Have faith.

You know, I heard something about that before but have not heard anything since then.

One thing I am learning is that I can't put a facade in order for my treatment to progress. I told my fiancee the other day that I am not going to shave because I want my Psychologist to see that I just don't feel like doing much of anything at this moment in time.

I have spent most all my life not showing any emotion, hiding when I have been depressed, and pushing people away when they get too close.

That is exactly what I intend to do, it's very important to just keep talking about what is going on. I have been very good about e-mailing my Psychologist or even calling in cases where I feel it its necessary for me to be able express what is going on and so she can hear what is going on in my voice.