Why Does Depression Come In Waves?

Depression can feel like a roller coaster ride. It can be unpredictable. It hits you like a sack of bricks, leaving you hopeless and alone, forgetting what happiness ever felt like. Then just as quickly as it arrived, depression leaves for no apparent reason.

The happiness comes back, and you start to forget what being depressed was really like. You get confident, maybe even arrogant, thinking you finally won this never-ending battle with this debilitating illness. Then, once again, depression returns for round two, and you go through the process all over again.

The uncertainty of it all is a pain. Never being able to comfortably make long-term commitments because you are unsure what mental state you will be in in a few months.

Not being able to be consistent with any skill or hobby you are trying to learn because you need to take weeks off when depression hits.

Looking forward to a certain event for a long time, and when the time arrives, you’re in a depressive episode and can’t even enjoy it.

The highs and lows of depression make everyday life a struggle. In school, you could spot my depressive episodes by looking at my academic record.

I would have semesters where every course had a mark of 80% or higher, then the next semester, I would have a few courses with a 30% grade cause I couldn’t go to class or would not show up for the final exam.

Only in hindsight can I see what was happening. At the time, I just thought I was being weak and a bad student, so I didn’t attempt to get a Doctors note or anything like that. It was easier to take my loss and move on. When depressed, sometimes the easy route is the only thing you can manage.

Looking back at my history with mental illness, I often wonder why depression isn’t more consistent. If depression was consistent and the same every day, I could prepare. I could find ways to adapt. However, this is not the case.

Why Does Depression Come In Waves?

Although it feels like depression comes with highs and lows, what we experience as highs are just normal life, a relief from the depressive episode.

Relapse is a term often associated with addiction, but when we have suffered from a depressive episode, get out of it, and are hit with another episode of depression, it is also referred to as a relapse.

Approximately half of people who experience a depressive episode will experience a relapse within the next five years. It often happens as soon as weeks or months after the original depressive episode.

To make life more difficult, the warning signs that a depressive episode is on the horizon can also change each time, making it difficult to prepare yourself and try to prevent it from happening.

What Are The Warning Signs Of A Depressive Episode?

I can sense a depressive episode with changes in my appetite, loss of enjoyment, and loss of motivation and hope for the future.

Although I can see it coming, the only thing I can do to help myself is to force myself to stick to my routine and do what I need to do. If I don’t lessen the severity of the depressive episode, at least I can reduce the amount of trouble it causes in my life, which generally reduces the episode's length.

Here are some common signs that a depressive episode is on its way:

Depressed Mood: Experiencing feelings of sadness or anxiety.

Diminished Interest in Activities: Finding less enjoyment in hobbies, sexual experiences, and other typically pleasurable pursuits.

Withdrawal from Social Interactions: Avoiding social situations and drifting apart from friends.

Persistent Fatigue: Finding daily tasks like personal hygiene and dressing more challenging and time-consuming.

Restlessness: Exhibiting signs of agitation, including pacing and an inability to stay still.

Altered Sleep Patterns: Dealing with insomnia or excessive sleepiness.

Changes in Appetite: Experiencing fluctuations in eating habits that may lead to weight changes.

Heightened Irritability: Reacting with increased annoyance and frustration compared to usual.

Feelings of Worthlessness and Guilt: Reflecting on past events and feeling a sense of inadequacy and guilt.

Impaired Concentration and Memory: Noticing slower thought processes and difficulty focusing and recalling information.

Physical Discomfort: Unexplained physical sensations such as headaches, stomachaches, or muscle pains.

Suicidal Ideation or Suicide Attempts: Indicating a severe depressive episode that requires immediate attention.

How Can You Prevent A Depressive Episode?

The best way to prevent depressive episodes is through therapy and sometimes medication. Your doctor will know what is best for you. If you have had a depressive episode and are worrying about it returning, you should sit down with your doctor and devise a plan to decrease the likelihood of a relapse.

There are also some things you can do on your own. Some simple lifestyle changes can increase your overall well-being. Healthy body, healthy mind.

Eat Well: Your mood is connected to your eating habits. While depression might make managing meals tough due to poor appetite or low energy, seek a dietitian’s help for solutions.

Exercise Regularly: Exercise benefits your mental health. Pick an enjoyable activity and aim to do it regularly, even for a short time. Begin with achievable goals and gradually raise them.

Get Enough Sleep: Sleep plays a role in depression. Depression affects sleep, and sleep issues can worsen depression.

Practice Relaxation: Relaxation techniques ease tension and stress. You can learn methods like meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and more. Simple activities like listening to music or gardening work. Discover what helps you relax.

Foster Healthy Thinking: Depression can skew your thoughts about yourself and the world. Healthy thinking challenges negative thinking patterns.

Hopefully, understanding the fluctuating nature of depression, some common warning signs, and the importance of taking care of yourself physically and mentally can give you an edge in the battle against depression.

By sticking to my routine, I can get myself to do the important things that will help in the long run, even though they can feel impossible to do at some times. I am happy to say that since I have started working out regularly, eating healthy, and writing daily, my depressive episodes are shorter and a lot more manageable. I have even managed to reduce my medication.

If you are struggling, don’t lose hope; keep fighting the good fight.

If you or somebody you love suffers from depression and anxiety, please seek help. For all mental health problems, please consult your healthcare professional. You can also find the appropriate helplines to call here.