depression, or bipolar? Extreme mood swings

i have been diagnosed with depression 4 years ago, and after a bad experience with meds (lexapro) i stopped medicating myself, especially since i was using drugs and alcohol 2 years ago. But now i am clean, and even tho im living a healthy lifestyle, like eating healthy, going to school, working, having good friends, exercising, i still get huge mood swings that are unexplainable. Its like im really happy one day, then the next I'm experiencing suicidal thoughts- "i just cant deal with life anymore, i dont know how" and i just feel helpless. Then if i go out with a friend i feel fine. I just cant deal with these mood swings anymore, its affecting other in my life. I have researched bipolar, but i dont think i have that, and i dont think it's normal to go from being happy to suicidal within 24 hours. What is going on!??!

[fuzzy882]

First of all I have to say congrats. for being clean a sober for so long. Hats off to ya.

Have you ever talked with a dr. about this?   There are so many good medications out there now to help with this. Just because one didnt work dont write them all off. Those ups and downs are horrible to deal with.  Being with your friends takes you a little out of reality and when your alone its like " hello reality, now what". I know the feeling.
I wish I could help you more. and I do understand.

Hang in there.

[Sam888]

I disagree with the med route. However, any time there is suicidal thoughts added in the mix,  That's worrysome and needs to be addressed by a doctor. How long have been off the meds?

Also, as a food note.   We look all too often for a fix in the form of a pill when lifestyle changes is typically is what's needed.  Whenever possible, speak to a PSYCHOLOGIST, they don't prescribe medications so you can come to terms and learn to deal with your issues.

[Venora Moonwind]

Seriously bi polar people do neee a combo of meds and therapy. the pills arent just a fix. I take mine  and I have for 7 years and nonw I have a normal life with out depression and manic. combined with therapy it is possible to beat bi poalr and depression. It works.I am proof of that.I thin k you should leave it up to the docs to evaluate and see if medds are need or not and to tell someone not to take the med is not right. meds with therapy is the way to beat this.
love Venora

[Sam888]

"Seriously bi polar people do neee a combo of meds and therapy. the pills arent just a fix"

Glad to see that you're doing better. However, each person's experience is unique and just because a pill worked for you doesnt mean it'll work for someone else..  Remember, there is evidence that anti-depressant meds and meds to treat other mood disorders work not much better if at all, than a placebo.  

The mind is an amazing healer when it comes to mood disorders.

[Venora Moonwind]

well yera h the mind can be a great healer if its working ok. I have quit my head meds in the past and I just went back to being bi polar and I do agree that not everyone will get the same results i get on zyprexa and celexa. but I will tell I you I would know in 2 weeks if I was getting a placebo or not. I went thorugh alot of meds before this combo that didnt work but I didnt give up . I eat healthy exercise and take my meds and go to therapy. Its a start  to get people help they need to get started getting better.I know everybody is on this natural kick  and pills are the corporate evil to get us to spend our money but honestly . where would we be without these meds and tereatments? I will tell we would be in the mental institution getting shock therapy or lobotomized. I thank God and Goddess for my meds and therapy I have been in the hospital 3 different times wiht this bi polar and I don NOT ever want to go back there as a bi polar schizoid paranoid ocd suicidal manic. the meds keep from this I take them and get on with my life I only tell people this because this can work them if they give it a chance.
Now I will be the first to tell you if you can cure yourself of depression bipolar or what ever with natural methods .. well then I am happy for you . sojme peopl;e this can work for them but others need more in the way of meds and therapy.
so I say there is also eveidence that meds work too.
Love Venora

[aircareman]

am 47 years old - have always worked , ran my own business for past 4 years, but i have such severe mood swings that can last 5 or 6 days - I talking fit of anger over nearly nothing. I have never been treated for anything. I have lost my father 1 year ago, and now i have closed my business in yhe last week,even though bus. was good. I tuely feel hopeless have lost 30 lbs. im 6'-4" and now weigh 159 i very seldom sleep and have not seen a docter yet, I am afraid, but do have some suicidal thoughts----- where do i start
seeking advice - KL