is it normal to go from severe depression to very happy?

[maryberryssoggybottom]

This really. I've name changed for paranoia reasons.

This is the 2nd time it's happened. Severe depression for a loooooong time (months) then turn around to pretty darn fantastic within a couple of weeks. My diagnosis is depression. There have been 'comments' both then and now (e.g. about slowing down). Usually comments don't bother me but I've started having occasional panic attacks about how I am perceived and whether I am acting 'normal' when I am out in public. I'm thinking that there must be other people who are pretty elated to be not depressed? I guess I'm looking for reassurance that this is standard so that I don't have to worry about being myself!

[JaclynLouise]

Hi, sorry to hear you're struggling! I know how you feel, I'm 21 but have had depression for as long as I can remember, since childhood.
I went through this myself and spoke to my doctor due to concerns it may be bipolar, but that is also followed by being very elated and spontaneous, making rash decisions etc (maybe give it a Google)
I do sometimes go from being completely fine to feeling empty and vice versa.. Which is annoying because when I seem happy for a moment people can think you're 'okay' again and then wonder why you've gone back down.
Don't worry about what people may think of you, I think you're probably coming across fine and are understandably worrying because you know what's going on inside your head!
When I'm really unwell, I will walk around very slowly, in a daze not speaking, avoiding eye contact and fiddling my hands so I'm sure I look a bit odd at times!
Hope you start to feel a bit better soon

[Maryberryssoggybottom]

thanks for your reply jaclyn

My main thing is that I am eager to avoid additional diagnoses!

I have been feeling great- a little less so today as couped up with kids so bit grumpy- but generally feeling that it is great to be me, in my body. I feel physically fantastic especially when moving around- sometimes it's a bit like someone has slipped me something illegal…like the whole mind body thing has just gone tah dah!! Like my body is brim full of positive power. Basically I'm teetering between relishing it and extending it and thinking it's a bit false.

So, that's why I was wondering if it was a normal after depression thing. Because I feel so much better than my usual 'fine'. Because if it is, that's great, but if it's not, then I'm thinking the drugs that I'm on are screwing with my endorphins rather than being bipolar.

[Haggisfish]

I did feel quite elated and quite quickly. I think it's because you rejoin normality and so can take pleasure in things again.

[JaclynLouise]

I agree with you, sometimes you feel so much better that it's like you're sort of born again if that makes any sense. Unfortunately I've had a rough few days and last night was a very bad night, I've always been convinced there's something more wrong with me than just depression, sometimes I feel like I'm just crazy! After years of visiting doctors and expressing my concerns, I finally have a mental health assessment tomorrow (it took my midwife to get me that too!) and honestly I'm just keen to get to speak to someone who can tell me what's going on! I don't even care what anymore, I just want to be able to get the correct help.
I really hope that your moods level out for you a bit more and that you start to feel happier on the medication you're taking, it's so hard when you're fluctuating cus keeping up is just exhausting!
Have a really great day :) xx

[maryberryssoggybottom]

Good luck(?) with your mental health assessment tomorrow Jaclyn and congratulations on your pregnancy. I hope that the next few days are better than the ones that have just been.

Thanks for your replies and yours haggisfish. I can relax a bit more knowing that it's not unusual to be full of the joys. Well, I would relax if sitting still was an option, instead I shall carry on with the cleaning Love to you all xxx

[Mollmoo]

Hi, yes I feel like this! The other day I'd had a really good, really productive day and felt AMAZING! I really did feel like I'd been taking illegal substances I was buzzng! Soon came crashing back down though! Good luck to you. Sending hugs.

[ProfessorPreciseaBug]

I prefer to call it manic depression.

Bipolar disorder does not express the emotion when I go frombeing the life and soul of everywhere to not able to smile at the sunshine. I keep a supply of valproaic semisodium to help deal with the mood sings.

We are here for you.