Rapid Cycling???

You're talking with the chief over analyzer here. I don't mean to preclude the search for triggers. I just wanted to offer my perspective which is one of often tumbling down the rabbit hole of causality at the cost of shoring up my mental ramparts.

I hear you. Analytic paralysis I am often guilty of. I think in AA we call it analysis paralysis.

Thank you for this discussion! Very useful at this corner!

Paralysis by analysis, now that is something I'm familiar with and a close relation Death by PowerPoint, I'm talking about my job here. (I work as an analyst of community safety issues). Interestingly, as someone who spends their working life searching for cause and effect, looking for early warnings of problems ahead, identifying what triggers communities to break down, I rarely analyse my own issues. I don't know if it is fear or laziness that stops me.

Oh wow! Thank you! I thought it was just me! Only I call my bottom "the abyss". The cymbalta pulls me back from the abyss. It doesn't seem to do much for the "regular" level of depression. I like the relief from fibromyalgia pain it gives me though.
I am moving and will need to re-establish a mental health team so a change in meds may happen.

There is another saying in AA....."It don't matter how the donkey got in the ditch, what matters is how are you going to get him out." Another one is "get in the solution"

I used to get in arguments with old timers all the time about it because I analyze to death everything. I think a certain amount of it is needed.

Maybe you could apply your job skills to yourself in an effective way. It helps with a guide. Like I had AA and a therapist. Books often helped me too. Something where I didn't feel stuck in my own head analyzing my own head. That is dangerous.

I went to all the fourth of July festivities in my town with my daughter and parents. This would be from noon to 11pm. For most of the day I felt, isolated, alone, empty, hollow.....depressed. I thought what the hell, i am doing the things I should be doing and I am still depressed. I didn't want to go to the concert and the fireworks in the evening but I did.
I have to say that sometime during the concert I did feel it lifting. By the fireworks it was gone. So I would say when it is moderate for me the faking it till you make it thing does work. Usually when I am up to moderate i can drag myself back up to at least mild by doing things. Its rare that I get past mild but recently i have had some periods of "normal"

I feel you zinco, relatives always want you to go along and be part of the group. They don't understand that it's hard to be the life of the party when you are depressed. I forced myself to a couple of 4th activities, but kept it to a minimum. Of late, I added the medical food 'Deplin' to my cocktail of meds. It supposed to help restore the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. Something that can be depleted by years of hard drinking, which I'm definitely guilty of. It's only been a week but my mood seems to be lifting and staying somewhat optimistic. Any thoughts on Deplin? My pdoc actually takes himself, no side effects. Can be added to pretty much any med regimen I believe.

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I was prescribed Deplin at one time. I didn't follow through with it when i changed docs so I can't really say if it helped or not. I have researched it and it is my understanding that many of us lack a gene needed to turn folate into serotonin. L Methylfolate (Deplin) is a precursor to serotonin. I can't remember all the chemistry right now but it assures you have that chemical available for making serotonin. I believe it can be added to any med regime. I do not know why it would be prescription only. I may bring it up to my pdoc.

The doc I had who was big on supplements and not so much on meds also said to get fish oil, vitamin D, and SamE. There is also 5HTP but that one can be dangerous with anti depressants as you can produce too much serotonin.

I went to the Fourth of July fireworks with my husband and daughter. I always enjoy the fireworks but I had to make myself get in the spirit of things because my depression, after a period of getting better made a harsh turn for the worse. It's aggravating that a depressive episode can seem to set in around a holiday, when you have stuff to do and would like to enjoy yourself. Anyhow, I understand how you feel and how these things go.

I have been taking Omega 3 and Krill oil for several years for the health benefit. I didn't know if they could help with MDD.

I was thinking, at one time, about going with a high dose of 5HTP prior to getting on the Pristiq, of which I've been on for about 18 mos now. In the event I, or my pdoc feels the Pristiq is no longer of benefi, I may suggest trying the 5HTP. Not sure how my pdoc would react. Also, might have to give up the Remeron at night. Also need to consider the Latuda that I take nightly. I wouldn't think 5HTP would react either way to an AP. But a good question for the pdoc should I go that route.

There are studies that say fish oil does help with depression. There are different views on which brand or which form gets absorbed properly I believe. I can't remember if it is Omega 3 or 6 that is supposed to help.