Is there a name to identify this behavior?

[Gaeta]

I was thinking of him taking an appointment to a phychologist first. Someone he could see when these phases happen and that could defuse his catastrophy.

 

 

 

He is back 100% to hisself now, being funny & making plans, It's nice to have my bf back.

[spiderowl]

It does sound like a plunge into depression but then again, if there is usually a stressor triggering it, it sounds reactive.

 

Do you know what the stressors are and do they have anything in common (other than being stressful)? Is it dealing with particular types of people perhaps? Financial? To do with status? Health worries?

 

Maybe if there is something in common with the stressors that trigger the reaction you and he could talk about when similar situations have occurred in the past and how he felt then. Was there some particular event in the past that has caused him to have almost an automatic reaction to anything resembling that stressor again?

[Downtown]

Should he see a doctor about this?

Gaeta, because regular depression and bipolar-2 depression are difficult for doctors to distinguish, I suggest he see a psychiatrist for an evaluation. I mention bipolar-1 depression because it typically has an onset at about age 25, occurs once or twice a year, and each episode typically takes several months to completely disappear.

 

If the episodes occur at least 4 times a year the bipolar-2 is said to be "rapid cycling." Only 10 to 20% of bipolar-2 patients exhibit rapid cycling so the 1 or 2 times a year is far more typical. Although these patients occasionally exhibit hypomania, it can be so mild that it is barely noticeable (hence the "hypo").

 

This distinction between regular depression (i.e., unipolar) and bipolar-2 depression is important because the antidepressants prescribed for regular depression usually make bipolar-2 worse. For more information, I suggest starting with The Depressive Phase: Focus on Bipolar II. That article explains how symptoms differ between regular depression and bipolar-2 depression.

[alphamale]

Gaeta, because regular depression and bipolar-2 depression are difficult for doctors to distinguish, I suggest he see a psychiatrist for an evaluation. I mention bipolar-1 depression because it typically has an onset at about age 25, occurs once or twice a year, and each episode typically takes several months to completely disappear.

 

If the episodes occur at least 4 times a year the bipolar-2 is said to be "rapid cycling." Only 10 to 20% of bipolar-2 patients exhibit rapid cycling so the 1 or 2 times a year is far more typical. Although these patients occasionally exhibit hypomania, it can be so mild that it is barely noticeable (hence the "hypo").

 

This distinction between regular depression (i.e., unipolar) and bipolar-2 depression is important because the antidepressants prescribed for regular depression usually make bipolar-2 worse. For more information, I suggest starting with The Depressive Phase: Focus on Bipolar II. That article explains how symptoms differ between regular depression and bipolar-2 depression.

 

I always thought depression was depression regardless of unipolar, bipolar I and bipolar II

[Gaeta]

It does sound like a plunge into depression but then again, if there is usually a stressor triggering it, it sounds reactive.

 

Do you know what the stressors are and do they have anything in common (other than being stressful)? Is it dealing with particular types of people perhaps? Financial? To do with status? Health worries?

 

Maybe if there is something in common with the stressors that trigger the reaction you and he could talk about when similar situations have occurred in the past and how he felt then. Was there some particular event in the past that has caused him to have almost an automatic reaction to anything resembling that stressor again?

 

 

Yes it is reactive, I've never seen him plunge like this without a trigger. So far all triggers are related to work. Work is an important part of his life. He puts a lot of pride in it, he practically always has 2 jobs, and always has a project on the go like a course work related. We tease him sometimes that he's like an hyper active child.

[elaine567]

... he practically always has 2 jobs, and always has a project on the go like a course work related. We tease him sometimes that he's like an hyper active child.

 

Could this be mania/hypomania?

ie he is in fact "bipolar".

[Gaeta]

Could this be mania/hypomania?

ie he is in fact "bipolar".

 

 

Thank you. I have read your suggestion and he has none of those symptomes. I don't think he suffers from a mental illness, I think he just needs tools to better deal with stress.

[Springsummer]

There is a name for it.

 

My therapist said I do it. It has something to do with catastrophizing everything. I wasn't open to hearing what the therapist said so I only have snippets to offer you.

 

Hang in there.

 

Looks like I am not the only one then. I tend to catastriophizing things when I encountered stressors.

[Gaeta]

For those who catastrophize does reassurance from others help any? When he's like this I spend a lot of energy trying to reason with him and showing him the bright side. When he's at his lowest he doesn't want to hear a positive peep out of me.

[elaine567]

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/friendship-20/201611/5-ways-stop-catastrophizing

 

5 Ways to Stop Catastrophizing

When all feels lost, try these techniques.