When you're dianosed with manic depression, is it normal to push away everybody through thre depression part?

Question

Everything is good, normal- you're excited about life. meet new people, new friends, and then out of the blue, you find yourself not wanting to be around anybody. You don't even like yourself at that point. And you give up hope on all of the good things that have happened and then start over again when the good feelings come back. Is this normal??

Answer 1

Well, what you've described are sort of the symptoms of bipolar disorder, but not really, so I don't understand the question. What you describe would barely count as cyclothymia, to be honest. Have you been diagnosed as bipolar, or do you just think you may be?

Here's the lowdown: OK, so it's a mood disorder and a serious mental illness. It has a strong genetic component, but appears to be triggered environmentally. There are no diagnostic tests for it, just psychiatric evaluation. Most sufferers are not diagnosed until middle age, and it takes an average of around 8-10 years to get a correct diagnosis. In recent years bipolar disorder has become an 'in' diagnosis, and many more people are being diagnosed at younger and younger ages.

It is characterised by episodes of severe clinical depression and mania or hypomania (for definitions of those, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_diagnostic_criteria_for_bipolar_disorder The extreme end of mania often turns into psychosis, complete with hallucinations and delusions. During manic phases, the persons judgement and perception of reality is severely compromised, leading to risky actions with potentially damaging consequences (financially, sexually and relationship-wise). Untreated, episodes generally worsen over time due to an effect known as kindling. Untreated Bipolar sufferers are at a very high risk of suicide: 20-25% attempt it, and and 15% succeed.

The cycles in bipolar disorder are much longer than people generally believe. Anyone whose mood changes from minute to minute is very unlikely to be bipolar. Bipolar 1 is characterised by mood episodes lasting many months, while Bipolar 2 has episodes in the region of weeks to months. Rapid and ultra-rapid cycling bipolar disorder is rare, and cycles last days to weeks.

There are many drugs available to treat the symptoms of bipolar (there is no cure). These are either anti-convulsants or anti-psychotics (personally I take both), and the most well known of these is Lithium. Most patients will go through a number of different drugs before finding one that works for them.

If this really isn't you, then be thankful. Best wishes.

Answer 2

I really believe it is more normal than you think. I think that all people do this but only contain it better than some. When you do this, you have to push yourself to do things that you really do not want to do. Like make a phone call and tell someone how you feel. Just make it part of your conversation. And do not avoid people, if someone calls and wants to talk, answer the phone and say " have you ever had one of those days where you just want to be alone and not talk to anyone?" Then tell them that you are having one of those days and let them know you'll call them when you aren't being such a joy-kill. By wording it like this they shouldn't take it personal. And, then again, they may just say the right thing to make you want to get up and get involved. However, if this feeling persist for longer then 2 weeks, I would greatly suggest that you find some kind of professional to talk to. maybe you need to vent about some things and get in touch with your fears, then face them until they no longer scare you.

Answer 3

Yes, those are classic symptoms of depression. Social withdrawal, hopelessness, lack of interest in life, negative feelings about yourself. When you get depressed you don't want to be around people or talk to anyone. When you're manic it's usually the opposite: you want to be involved, socialize and throw yourself into things. Usually that goes too far.

Answer 4

Yes, it is normal. You gave the answer; if you do not like yourself you cannot enjoy other people.

From personal experience though, please try to keep in contact with people during your depression. You may have to force yourself but please try; it will help. Be honest with your friends and family and tell them what you are going through. It is much easier if everyone understands why you are "pulling away."

Good luck, it is a rough thing to go through.

Answer 5

Yes, this is normal for depression. You can't bear to make the effort to socialise even on the lowest level...if you feel you have to raise a smile or even just listen to someone....it's too much effort.

It's normal to want to shut yourself away from everything and everyone, even those who are close to you. I think that's why family and friends can't understand....it's NOT rejection, it's just that you are not able to handle it.

Answer 6

Yes it is. I have also found that durring the manic phase people can feel sort of left behind or left out because they cant keep up. Manic depression can seriously inhibit yor ability to properly maintain any relationship.