Cyclic Depression?

I was put on antidepressants when I was 12, mainly because doctors didn't know what else to do with me. A few years ago I decided to stop taking them, because I was feeling fine and didn't have any problems with depression that I needed medication for. But last spring I had what I can only describe as a mental break down. It was like something in me just switched, I went from being fine to crying all the time, feeling hopeless, worthless, not eating. There were no real triggers, no stressful event. Then I started to feel better, and within two weeks I was back to normal, and thought that I was fine. But I had another mental break down again that summer, again, no trigger, in fact I was doing well in school, hanging out with friends, having a great time. And again, within two weeks I got better. This has since happened during the fall (I actually had to take time off school), and now today. I've been to doctors and all they want to do is put me on antidepressants, but I don't feel like they would help. I feel like doctors just stick patients on medication without looking at underlying causes. When I don't have these episodes I'm usually fine, I have my bad days, but I deal with it, and recently I've been doing really well, do great in my classes, working out, eating healthy, and just yesterday I got an A on an organic chemistry midterm, so I shouldn't be depressed. Has anyone else experienced this? I refuse to go on antidepressants until doctors can tell me that there is nothing else medically wrong, (which they have yet to do) and that I will have no problem going off of them, and they have no side effects.

[LeftCoastChick]

Cyclical depression, is caused by  a chemical imbalance , it's nothing someone's done, but seems to come back, not dissapate.. Unfortunately, meds seem to be they way to maintain you from having serious dips on moods.  It sounds like your moods go up and down a fair it, it would be prudent for you to get referred to a psychiatrist.  When depression keeps on coming back for no reason, it's a brain chemical issue, which only a psychiatrist should be dealing with - then they can figure out if you should be on a med and what kind, there are oodles out there.  There is no test to confirm a mood disorder but the DSM-IV has a "check" list, basically the "bible" of psychiatry It's good you want to rule out other causes, it's important the get a full physical anyways. But cycling moods may be an indicator of a different mood disorder.

[OtisDaMan]

A number of things can cause this, besides it being a form of depression. For example, thyroid function is sometimes implicated, not that I'm saying it is likely.

I would agree that it is a good idea to rule out other possible causes before muddying the waters by taking antidepressants. If you are otherwise fit and physically healthy, then perhaps antidepressants or a mood stabilising agent are at least worth considering. A psychiatrist is probably the most appropriate person to advise you here.

All the best,

OtisDaMan