Length of depressive phases in Bi-Polar Disorder?
Discussion
I've been bi-polar for just about as long as I can remember and my depressive and manic episodes have always tended to roughly balance themselves out, lasting around 4-6 months at a time each. I am currently in my longest depressive phase ever - almost a year - and am wondering what the longest timescales these episodes have been known to last for?
I don't take any meds (and never have done) and don't actually want to - in a perverse way I actually welcome the extremes and it's just the "bit in the middle" that I don't enjoy being in (and is where the meds would keep me, given half the chance).
I do clearly realise that my current depressive state is however, now hindering other areas of my life that I'm currently struggling with. To this end, I am also looking for a bit of advice on maintaining focus whilst in a prolonged depressive state. Like other BP folks I know, the triggers that switch me "on" and "off" are pretty ephemeral, so it's almost impossible to "think" my way out of either a manic or depressive phase.
Any and all help gladly taken.
I don't take any meds (and never have done) and don't actually want to - in a perverse way I actually welcome the extremes and it's just the "bit in the middle" that I don't enjoy being in (and is where the meds would keep me, given half the chance).
I do clearly realise that my current depressive state is however, now hindering other areas of my life that I'm currently struggling with. To this end, I am also looking for a bit of advice on maintaining focus whilst in a prolonged depressive state. Like other BP folks I know, the triggers that switch me "on" and "off" are pretty ephemeral, so it's almost impossible to "think" my way out of either a manic or depressive phase.
Any and all help gladly taken.
I'm not being funny but I feel these are things you need to talk about with your GP, health care professional or consultant.
I deal with health care professionals on a daily basis be they doctors, physios, OH and others and for complex medical matters they are the best people to ask.
Don't open yourself up to the PH massiv on matters like these.
I deal with health care professionals on a daily basis be they doctors, physios, OH and others and for complex medical matters they are the best people to ask.
Don't open yourself up to the PH massiv on matters like these.
I can understand the desire not to treat it as I have a friend with BP and the drugs zombifiy her 
However, 12 months is too long to be in a depressive phase, and if it is starting to affect your life in other ways, then you need to talk to the professionals.
DrSickman doesn't seem to be aound here anymore - he was a good one to talk to.
However, 12 months is too long to be in a depressive phase, and if it is starting to affect your life in other ways, then you need to talk to the professionals.
DrSickman doesn't seem to be aound here anymore - he was a good one to talk to.
drivin_me_nuts said:
MikeO996 said:
MikeO996 said:
drivin_me_nuts said:
PM me OP. I work with BP and have some suggestions for you.
NLP??Edited by MikeO996 on Tuesday 14th April 12:37
With respect for the OPs query before descending further into bickering.
Even if you don't want to go medication route you should discuss with your GP whether there is any circumstantial/environmental reason for the depression lasting this time - if there isn't then maybe anti-depressants (rather than mood-stabilisers) need to be considered as a short term push in the right direction. Your GP may want some support from a psychiatrist in this (assuming that you don't presently have one) and some psychological approaches may be helpful, although you might find it difficult to find the right person - even within the NHS - where you can at least be assured that whoever you see has proper qualifications.
Even if you don't want to go medication route you should discuss with your GP whether there is any circumstantial/environmental reason for the depression lasting this time - if there isn't then maybe anti-depressants (rather than mood-stabilisers) need to be considered as a short term push in the right direction. Your GP may want some support from a psychiatrist in this (assuming that you don't presently have one) and some psychological approaches may be helpful, although you might find it difficult to find the right person - even within the NHS - where you can at least be assured that whoever you see has proper qualifications.
MikeO996 said:
With respect for the OPs query before descending further into bickering.
Even if you don't want to go medication route you should discuss with your GP whether there is any circumstantial/environmental reason for the depression lasting this time - if there isn't then maybe anti-depressants (rather than mood-stabilisers) need to be considered as a short term push in the right direction. Your GP may want some support from a psychiatrist in this (assuming that you don't presently have one) and some psychological approaches may be helpful, although you might find it difficult to find the right person - even within the NHS - where you can at least be assured that whoever you see has proper qualifications.
Hi Mike, Even if you don't want to go medication route you should discuss with your GP whether there is any circumstantial/environmental reason for the depression lasting this time - if there isn't then maybe anti-depressants (rather than mood-stabilisers) need to be considered as a short term push in the right direction. Your GP may want some support from a psychiatrist in this (assuming that you don't presently have one) and some psychological approaches may be helpful, although you might find it difficult to find the right person - even within the NHS - where you can at least be assured that whoever you see has proper qualifications.
I have never taken either anti depressants or mood stabilisers, and TBH it's not a route I'm going to go down. I have had that conversation with my GP on many occasions and she agrees & accepts my desire here. My main concern is in finding strategies to deal with non-related issues that are made more difficult by my prolonged depressive phase. I have been able to deal with other non-connected issues in shorter depressive phases before, but I just seem to be struggling a bit more than normal with this phase of the condition. It's because the phase is so long that I'm unsure as to how to tackle said issues. Normal adaptive strategies I have used in the past (including NLP, etc - I have done a large amount of research in these areas) are less effective than they have previously been. I hope this clarifies things a bit.
I have another appointment with the Doc this week, so hopefully a bit more light can be shed here.
drivin_me_nuts said:
MikeO996 said:
MikeO996 said:
drivin_me_nuts said:
PM me OP. I work with BP and have some suggestions for you.
NLP?? Must admit I've been on many different medications and have never felt like a zombie and totally out of, wish I did at times though.thanks
eldudereno said:
drivin_me_nuts said:
MikeO996 said:
MikeO996 said:
drivin_me_nuts said:
PM me OP. I work with BP and have some suggestions for you.
NLP?? Must admit I've been on many different medications and have never felt like a zombie and totally out of, wish I did at times though.thanks
As the previous poster said exercise is likely to be helpful - but if you're depressed getting out there to do it is going to be the problem.
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