cycles

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I notice I go out of my normal depression once in a while and feel up, have more ideas, creativity, energy, even more focus.
I'm not on any medication for depression or anything. Then the up time ends, and back into grayness. I never get really super hyper, just less depressed, but it does this in cycles - for decades now. Anyone else have this sort of experience I'd be grateful to hear about it.

I'm wondering if you are experiencing what's known as "hypomania"-- does any of the things in this article (http://bipolar.about.com/od/maniahypoma ... omania.htm) sound like you?

If not, you might just have times when you feel better and then you go back into a depressive episode. If the article describes you, you might have Bipolar II and should get that checked out.

I have this too, have you told a psychiatrist about it?

It sounds like a Bipolar disorder to me.

^ I haven't yet, and I am considering talking to one if I ever find one I like. If there was a way to be a bit higher functioning, that is what I'm after.
I read the article, and thank you the_grand_autismo for that. It does feel like that if perhaps on the mild side of the description.
So people who have this mostly take medication I gather. Something like consistent exercise isn't going to control it?

I can relate to the 'up time' experiences, but I'm honestly not sure if they've gone on with any regularity in my life. I haven't had sufficient time to myself to evaluate them without being interrupted by school, family or work. In my life, however, consistent exercise doesn't necessarily control anything, but can put a damper on anything I want it to. I really miss my night hiking buddy!

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I have this too. I know a lot of people have said bipolar II, but there is also something called Cyclothymia, which is a milder representation of bipolar symptoms.

When it comes to medication-

There HAS been people who have managed to control even severe bipolar I (The classic, typical bipolar disease) by monitoring there sleep patterns, controlling what they eat, and exercise, as you said. There's some evidence that fish oil has a mood stabilizing effect. Some people with cyclothymia or bipolar II chose not to take medication due to the fact that it isn't nice stuff, and you will end up hating it.

Sometimes I think a lot of it is about energy levels. Low energy levels can lead to depression because I am unable to use energy to focus on what interests me. Seasons can affect my moods, generally the winter months make me feel low and spring gives me an up. But then I get hay fever and that puts me on a low again. Autumn I feel fine.

Food is a big thing for me. Pasta and Rice give me good energy. Potatoes give me bad energy and make me feel too lethargic.

I have spent years analyzing myself to figure out why my moods go up and down.

Medications: I have had very negative experiences with antidepressants and other drugs.

I take vitamin D often to help my moods.