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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Don_Bristol on April 28, 2006, at 0:39:35
I tend to have low-severity depression but recently I had an episode of truly major depression.
It seemed endless at the time although in reality it lasted about a month.
The ending came unexpectedly and it came for no reason that I could work out.
Most weirdly of all is that the end seemed to come almost abruptly and within a week or so I felt nearly back to normal.
Is this experience common?
Don
Posted by SLS on April 28, 2006, at 7:04:20
In reply to Does deep depression often end abruptly?, posted by Don_Bristol on April 28, 2006, at 0:39:35
Hi Don.
At one point, I was an ultra-rapid cycler. The cycle period was 11 days. I would spend 8 days down and 3 days up. The switch was extremely abrupt, usually occurring within 30-45 minutes. It is important to note that my illness is probably bipolar disorder.
As quickly as depressions begin, so, too, can they end.
Has your low-level depression also disappeared?
- Scott
> I tend to have low-severity depression but recently I had an episode of truly major depression.
>
> It seemed endless at the time although in reality it lasted about a month.
>
> The ending came unexpectedly and it came for no reason that I could work out.
>
> Most weirdly of all is that the end seemed to come almost abruptly and within a week or so I felt nearly back to normal.
>
> Is this experience common?
>
> Don
Posted by Racer on April 28, 2006, at 13:06:22
In reply to Re: Does deep depression often end abruptly?, posted by SLS on April 28, 2006, at 7:04:20
I once saw a guy switch from a very dark depression to full-on mania during a support group. It was very frightening, and I can't describe it so that anyone else could quite see it, but he kinda slunk in to the meeting depressed and hanging and miserable, saying it had been about a week -- and he had to leave the meeting about halfway through to head to the ER because he was becoming so manic. I'm not sure what that means for unipolar depression, but would suspect that something similar is possible.
Also, while I tend to discount this in my own life, many other physical variables can be involved. No matter what's happening in my life, I get depressed when I am sick. I can be on top of the world, on medication, excited about something in my life -- but a virus will have me crying and thinking it's not worth the effort of showing up for life. My menstrual cycle can do it, too, which really throws me for a loop! How much sunlight I'm getting. What I'm eating. Probably even the levels of nutrients in the soil in which the vegetables or fruits I eat were grown. It could be as simple as something that you weren't aware of, a mild virus maybe, just finally passed.
And, of course, there's also the theory that no one knows what causes depression, so know one knows whether something is 'normal' in it.
I do know that spontaneous recovery is possible, and I imagine that could be quick or slow, depending on the person.
Posted by bassman on April 28, 2006, at 13:32:41
In reply to Does deep depression often end abruptly?, posted by Don_Bristol on April 28, 2006, at 0:39:35
When I got divorced, I was so depressed about the only thing I had energy for was to cry. I was severely, severely depressed (looking back, I should have been dancing in the streets). Anyway, no sleep for a month and couldn't even go to the park with my kids without bringing a blanket, I was so tired. One month later, bong! all of a sudden the depression lifted. No external reason. So, yes, it happens...
Posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2006, at 19:51:40
In reply to Re: Does deep depression often end abruptly?, posted by bassman on April 28, 2006, at 13:32:41
Yes I know it happens. Know several people it happened to. Did something really positive happen that could wipe out the depression. That's wonderful. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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