Is it "normal"?

[Mummyhunny]

Hi is it normal to be constantly depressed when you have bipolar 2? My daughter was diagnosed 3 years ago and her moods are pretty stable, we really notice it if she hasn't had her meds.. For the last 10 of her 18 years she has been depressed, however every 3 months or so she goes into a deeper depression. Her meds have changed a couple of times but unless she is manic, she is never happy. I'm thinking maybe I need a 2nd opinion or perhaps that is the way it will always be?

[Chris_B]

Hi Mummyhunny, 

I was given a diagnosis of bipolar II, and it is my understanding that depressive periods are more common than manic ones, but it sounds like things are not working well for your daughter if her ‘normal’ is depressed and her bad episodes are ‘really depressed’.

I would talk to your daughter’s doctor/psychiatrist and seek a second opinion if you’re not happy with the answers you get. While no form of mental illness is a walk in the park, with the right balance of treatment, it is possible to lead a life where you are happy and well at least some, if not most of the time. 

You don’t mention any form of therapy at all, is she purely taking medication only?  

best
CB

[jonnyboy]

gday mummyhunny i allso have bipolar not sure what one never asked and i have the same thing depression all the time a bit of mainia.  Normal for me is depression so ive been told that gets worse sometimes caused by stress and time of the year . Im 38 had have had undisguised depression and bipola most my life.  Every case of bipola is different so a med that wont work for me may work for her.You need a good mental health doctor  with lots of experience  dealing with bipolar.  She is lucky she has you. A good under standing of whats happening to me has helped me.

 cheers jon