What kind of depression is characterized by waves?

Question

It's not a constant depression, like if you can be happy but then you feel the depression creeping up on you, like a wave, lasts for a few to several days/weeks? Is there even a name for it?

Answer 1

Hi there, I am feeling the very very same,. when i am depressed or anxious my life just seems to have ended, I just dont want to feel anything or do anything or even look at anyone in the face, Ive even come up to ideas that I should break up with my gf (the love of my life )because of this **** which is ruining my life. Its so hard, and mad, and ppl dont understand u, its like being alone in this life, U feel like u will die and u feel ur not ur own self, no passion or such things matter to u anymore.

Its terrible I know.

This happened for me since I had a major panic attack 1 month ago, in reality I felt quite good after 4-5 days it happened, i started to get all normal again. but 2 days ago all anxiety and depression came again. it comes and goes in waves like u said.

I bought cipralex meds, 10 mg, they are just waiting there, but i didnt take them yet, as I dont want to be a pill freak, but I will try the natural supliments this week, Im going to buy them this saturday, and if those fail i will definitively start with the pills.

I totally feel for u, as in this very moment Im writing i feel a dose of what u have just mentioned. I also suggest u do lots of exercise and avoid things like coffe and alcool. I have a feeling i started to feel like this again is because for the last 2 days I had 3-4 cups of cofffe, and usually i never drink coffe . so diet and exercise is crucial , so i was told. I am also gonna start exercising from today...

Answer 2

For 20 percent to 35 percent of depressed people, a normal routine is all but impossible. Others have episodes of depression followed by feelings of well-being. Still others have episodes of terrible lows that alternate with inappropriate "highs." Here are some descriptions of the most common forms of depression.

Clinical depression

When depression is serious enough to require treatment, it is called clinical depression. When the symptoms are more severe, someone is said to be suffering from major depression. This condition tends to be episodic in nature.

Dysthymia

Although many people suffer episodes of depression, others suffer from recurrent, or long-lasting depression, and are diagnosed with dysthymia. When people with dysthymia have an additional major depressive episode, the diagnosis is double depression.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, consists of terrible lows that alternate with unexplainable highs. Experts believe this is attributable to imbalances in brain chemistry. Medications can correct the imbalance about 80 percent of the time.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

The winter blues are not all in your head. Researchers believe that some people respond to changes in the amount of light they are exposed to, and therapies focus on adjusting light exposure.

Factors that can trigger depression

People don't recognize depression as an illness. They think the physical symptoms they experience - fatigue, change of appetite and sleep problems - are signs of another kind of illness. Still others think these problems are "all in their head" and that nothing's really the matter with them.

But depression is a brain disorder that affects your whole body -- your behavior and mood, the way you think and the way your body feels. Although scientists do not know the exact mechanism that triggers depressive illness, some pieces of the puzzle include:

Genetic factors. Some types of depression may be caused by your genes. Some studies have found a link with depression in biological families that was not found in families with adopted children. More recent genetic research offers hope that scientists soon may be able to identify a genetic marker that indicates a susceptibility to bipolar disorder in some people.

Chemical imbalances. Additional research suggests people suffering from depression have imbalances in the natural substances that allow brain cells to communicate with one another. Other research shows alterations in body chemicals and hormones in depressed people. But researchers are uncertain whether these imbalances are causes of depression or result from it.

Life stresses. Any kind of life change, good or bad, can sometimes trigger depression. A job promotion can prompt a bout of depression as easily as a job loss. The birth of a child may be followed by depression, as is the loss of a loved one.

A serious illness. Depression may be caused by certain medications, such as pain relievers for arthritis, and certain medications for high blood pressure and heart problems. Thyroid disease also has been linked to depression.

Substance abuse. Experts believe 25 percent of people with substance abuse problems also have major depression. Drugs and alcohol provide a way for people to medicate themselves yet can lead to a downward spiral that can be stopped with appropriate help.

Here is a link that you can take a little test to tell you if you are depressed or not. I wish you well. And Lots of luck. I hope this info helped you a little. The link is below

http://www.depression-screening.org/scre...