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Original poster

Can depression come in waves?

32 replies

Binpedal · 23/01/2019 13:59

I can feel fine and positive/upbeat for a while then have a day or two where I feel exhausted, bleak and can't face anyone. Or these mood shifts can literally happen within one day.
Not sure I want to take meds. Last year these mood shifts all but disappeared through exercise,diet etc. But I've been bereaved recently and they're back.
I'm not sure what's normal and what needs treated? The days, spells I am low it's hard for my DH as I'm very low. But then I can literally be myself the next day and fine!

OP posts:
ILoveMaxiBondi · 23/01/2019 14:01

Yes mine is exactly like that. I’ve decided to start keeping a record of it to see if I can spot a pattern connected to hormones or diet etc.

Original poster
Binpedal · 23/01/2019 14:05

Do you take medication if you don't mind me asking?

OP posts:
ILoveMaxiBondi · 23/01/2019 14:09

No, I don’t. I probably should have when it was really bad a few years ago but I didn’t want to risk social services being informed as I’m a lone parent and I’ve heard too many scare stories. So I just fought my way through. Currently it’s nowhere near as bad and I generally feel I’m coping with it. I do have very low days but they’re rarer than good or ok days.

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Original poster
Binpedal · 23/01/2019 14:11

Yes that's how I feel Smile

OP posts:
Bombardier25966 · 23/01/2019 14:14

Social services aren't going to be informed just because you're on anti depressants!

OP please see your GP. There's absolutely no shame in taking medication or asking for help.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 23/01/2019 14:18

You tell a GP you’re alone with two kids and your aren’t coping there’s a fair chance they have to refer that on to SS. I wasn’t going to take the chance. That was my personal decision. Not saying that’s what someone else should do.

redeyetonowheregood · 23/01/2019 14:24

I am quite like this at the moment. I was so low on Sunday I couldn't leave the house. On Monday I went to work and I was fine. I am partly affected by having gained weight again which is making me really miserable. I am not enormous but it is enough to make me not want to see people and hate myself.

But anyway, yes, I find I go up and down and I can't always explain why. Nobody other than my husband knows though my children know that sometimes i am down and sad and I don't always know why.

Original poster
Binpedal · 23/01/2019 14:34

Mine is definitely linked to my gut health I think. When I'm low I'm usually bloated, constipated and have water retention. If this is really bad then I can gain a lot of weight. It's not true weight of course and it falls off once my gut settles but it makes me feel so low and fat even though I'm not.
But which came first? Low mood causing gut problems or vice versa.
It's more likely at the start of the week for example when I'm sure alcohol over the weekend can be a trigger.

OP posts:
MegaClutterSlut · 23/01/2019 14:34

Yes I find myself up and down all the time

SpoonBlender · 23/01/2019 14:38

Bondi She's not alone, DH mentioned in the first post. SS only get called in if the GP reckons there are safeguarding issues - if you rock up as a suicidal single mum yes, and the support provided is in everyone's best interests.

OP - You are not alone, waves is very very normal. Don't blame yourself, it's a health issue not a personal failing. Your GP is an excellent resource, and you should not be frightened off talking to them. Modern antidepressants/antianxiety meds are a much finer tool for coping than the 'chemical cosh' type stuff from the 1980s.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 23/01/2019 14:40

Bondi She's not alone,

Confused I wasn’t talking about the OP! I was explaining to the OP why I didn’t go to the GP.

Realitea · 23/01/2019 14:41

Keep a diary of when it happens. I did this for about 6 months as mine came in waves too. It turns out it’s PMDD.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 23/01/2019 14:42

It literally can’t have been any clearer

OP: “Do you take medication if you don't mind me asking?”

Me: “No, I don’t. I probably should have when it was really bad a few years ago but I didn’t want to risk social services being informed as I’m a lone parent and I’ve heard too many scare stories.”

SpoonBlender · 23/01/2019 14:42

Likely to be gut led, says modern research. Work out what it is that's screwing you up, cut out the booze for a weekend see how that goes, experiment with skipping the usual suspects - dairy, fried carbs, bread/yeast - and see how it goes. Your GP can guide you to sensible resources/referral for that sort of thing, the Internet is a fucking minefield full of people's pet theories about superfoods, mite dust, apple vinegar aarghh nonsense.

If it all seems like too much, you may need the antidepressents to get you out of the hole into a place where you can get started.

SpoonBlender · 23/01/2019 14:43

Fair do's Bondi, I wanted to follow up for OP with a 'don't be scared of the GP' really.

Lozz22 · 23/01/2019 14:53

I can be on top of the world for 2-3 days sometimes even a full week and then all of a sudden wham I'll crash back down again and end up suicidal, I seem to constantly alternate from happy to depressed, it doesn't help that a pretty bad brain injury I had makes it difficult to control my temper or emotions

jessstan2 · 23/01/2019 14:55

I'm like that too, binpedal.
It's a rotten business, can't really make plans.
Flowers for you.

Flower777 · 23/01/2019 14:57

Depression is not just gut led. I’m sorry but that’s ridiculous.

Omzlas · 23/01/2019 16:13

I've noticed that if I've had a few sherbets, I feel more down that when I haven't. I felt positively shocking when I got drunk around Xmas time and it made me realise just how much of a depressant alcohol is

I find that exercise really does help my mental state though, as much as it grates me to admit it.

Mediation isn't the devil though, and your GP would only ever refer if they feel that the situation needs it.
I have been trying various ADs for the last 2 years and I'm yet to find one that helps. That aside, my GP has been nothing but helpful and never once suggested SS be brought into the picture.

Make sure you're using your support system as much as you can

And something that always helps me:
"Chin up. Tits out. Onwards"

Original poster
Binpedal · 23/01/2019 16:32

Sorry wasn't suggesting gut problems cause depression. Maybe worded it wrongly. Just that I've noticed when I'm low I almost always have gut issues too.

OP posts:
MeetJoeTurquoise · 23/01/2019 16:50

Yes mine comes in waves. I can be Okish for a couple of days and then very low and anxious the next.

Flower777 · 23/01/2019 17:16

No I’m sorry Binpedal. I was actually aiming my comment at spoonblender but I wrote it in a rude way so I’m the one who should apologise.

I was just feeling indignant on behalf of depressed individuals.

Original poster
Binpedal · 23/01/2019 17:38

It's fine Flower777 Smile
I suspect the stress of depression, lack of sleep, lethargy etc cause my bad gut.
The mind and body are linked. But I'm positive that of course depression starts with the brain and something amiss there Sad

OP posts:
Redtartanshoes · 23/01/2019 17:46

I feel like I’ve found my people here. I have days where I feel anxious and sad and teary for no real reason then I’m ok again. I’m a single parent too and sometimes I think that I have so many plates to juggle, I manage to keep my head above the water then someone throws something else in and I spectacularly lose it. Sobbed like a baby on Monday night because the mattress I had for ds’s new room didn’t fit the bed. Sounds ridiculous now but at the time I just felt so totally overwhelmed.

I also think when I’m down I worry about everything, which keeps me awake then the next day I’m even worse because I’m tired.

I did feel better last year when I was exercising and was probably 2 stone lighter. I also think it’s linked to the bloody pill which sends my hormones all over the place. I’m seriously considering being sterilised in The hope that it will help.

I find Bach’s rescue remendy helps a bit when I’m really anxious it’s probably a placebo but it doesn’t matter? Has anyone tried St. John’s wort?

Bumblebee39 · 23/01/2019 17:54

My depression tends to hit like a freight train to start with, but then I seem to get a bit better and it's more wavy on the road to recovery
Then bang, out of nowhere, another bleddy freight train