Why do I feel... Happy?

[DanDanikov]

I disagree with the people who are suggesting that you're bi-polar or that you've discovered that being alone is the secret to being happy. Some people are bi-polar, some people are just happier on their own, but I think you'd be experiencing far more happiness (at least at times) if either were the case.

It does sound like you're finally beating your depression. A fair number of people just cope with depression using drugs, which are meant as a crutch to help deal with it, but don't solve it by themselves. Some people, like myself, just beat it in the due course of time. I had to hit rock bottom to do so, and I've known other people who've done the same- you get pushed to the edge, you lose everyone around you, until you realise that you and only you are the only one who can chose to make yourself better. Sometimes it does just take losing everything to turn it all around.

The thing I'd suggest that's worth doing is reinforcing the happy moments. Contrary to popular belief (at least, when you're not depressed) your emotions can be manipulated by yourself. Your facial expressions are intrinsically tied to your emotions- just smiling actually activates certain pathways in your brain associated with happiness. Doing things you love, playing upbeat music... you get the idea. A lot of people are in the bad habit of feeding their emotions, especially the negative ones, and it really helps to realise you can break that cycle.

 

[Biodeamon]

All that stuff is behind you....

You're only as happy as you let yourself be so, smile!

 

[Discon]

Perhaps you feel that after breaking up with your GF, you now have a world full of opportunities?

 

[aenimau5]

Who gives a shit just enjoy it while it lasts

 

[Ambi]

I don't think saying the OP is bipolar is constructive unless it's an professional diagnosis. It could sort of say "you were depressed and then happy, expect to experience a roller-coaster of emotions".

Spoiler

You...feel...h...a...p...p...y?

/Earthbound reference

In all seriousness, it could be any number of factors. Perhaps the onset of warmer weather helped? I know one woman who becomes depressed every winter due partly to the cold weather and lack of sunlight.

Unless of course you live south of the equator.

Perhaps the freedom of being single again without pursuing any relationships is serving as a catalyst. You don't have to worry about working your schedule around your former girlfriend anymore, so you have more time to do what you want.

It could signify any number of mental/psychological states like bi-polar tendencies. Heck, maybe your psyche just got tired of being depressed all the time. Stranger things have happened. These are all just pure speculation, of course.

In any event, consider yourself fortunate to be in such high spirits.

When you've reached the bottom, the only way to go is up?

I like what these two said.

 

[Continuity]

My guess is bad girlfriend and bad friend.

Not necessarily, its just good to break with the status quo every now and then, a fresh outlook can be a fine thing.

 

[Nenad]

My guess is bad girlfriend and bad friend.

Not necessarily, its just good to break with the status quo every now and then, a fresh outlook can be a fine thing.

I agree. My first post was more of a joke, couldn't help myself.

 

[Timberwolf0924]

It's called the bounce back. When you hit bottom, all you do is bounce.

EDIT:
Just got a txt from a friend with the message: "Have you ever thought you're where you're at right now. Because you did something right?" It was a mass txt. But I figured it' applies here also.

 

[Daniel Allsopp]

I'm not crazily happy, just happier. Also I've been depressed for ~6 years, so unless I have the longest up/down bi-polar cycle ever, I don't have it.

Also, the relationship wasn't a bad one, we just weren't compatible. Not that either of us realised that.

I think that you guys may be right that I have nowhere left to go but up, and the freedom is a release.

Have you been watching My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic lately? It had that effect on me, helped me get over my ex girlfriend after about 6 months of absolutely no progress on that front. Probably why I'm such a diehard fan, considering it really helped me.

I did watch it out of boredom, but it didn't exactly make my heart soar.

In all seriousness, it could be any number of factors. Perhaps the onset of warmer weather helped? I know one woman who becomes depressed every winter due partly to the cold weather and lack of sunlight.

My mood does change with the seasons, it's true. Summer just started, and suddenly I'm happy...

 

[Eggsnham]

Bi-polar?

I dunno, I'm no doctor. In any case, I can sort of associate.

Whenever the school year starts, I make this personal vow to be a good student and work hard and other bullshit.

I start off fine, and I do well, and people like me and pat me on the back and tell me I'm smart and other bullshit, but somewhere around the ending of fall and beginning of winter, my SAD kicks in and supercharges my depression and I end up staying in bed a lot, doing nothing and just generally being a douche.

Needless to say, hard work in school doesn't happen during these times.

People stop complimenting me on my work, people call me stupid or tell me that I'm not living up to my potential, people look down on me and suspect me of heavy drug use and criminal activity, but you know what? That makes me feel better.

The more I stop giving a fuck, the better I feel. I've been told countless times that this isn't normal, and that I should keep myself in check, but I honestly just feel good when I don't give a fuck and everybody hates me for it.

It's almost a little bit scary to me...

In the end though, I can't wait to get out of this hole called highschool. I'm so close too, just another year of half-assing, and no fuck-giving. Though it's a miracle I've gotten through 3 of the 4 years of highschool in the first place, what with my terrible grades and such.

 

[Hal10k]

This feeling needs to stop. Watch the first ten minutes of "Up" and google "dead puppies".

 

[MrGalactus]

Freedom, my friend. I'm in a similar (if less upsetting) situation. At this point in life, we earn more freedom to do whatever the hell we want, and it's only just beginning. That's how I'm feeling, anyway.

 

[Communist partisan]

I dunno, we all have or loose screws, I've been really messed up for... as long as I can remember and in the end it got to me, but I still have moments than I feel good and nothing can get me down, but who knows how long it will last, we all have our breaking point and than we stand on the edge of sanity and look down at the cliffs of insanity, but you can only keep going by keep running forward and don't let all the shit get you down, and than you loose control get a hold of yourself again.

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

Fucked if I know. I'd suggest seeing a psychiatrist if you think it's a problem or if your mood keeps changing like that. While I don't claim to any kind of expertise on the subject, your being bipolar doesn't sound too far-fetched, either.

 

[Nazz3]

In all seriousness, it could be any number of factors. Perhaps the onset of warmer weather helped? I know one woman who becomes depressed every winter due partly to the cold weather and lack of sunlight.

My mood does change with the seasons, it's true. Summer just started, and suddenly I'm happy...

Same thing with me, I was somewhat depressed during the winter but now that its summer i've been almost constantly happy.

Also, your lifes situation doesnt affect depression that much, depression is caused by some chemicals in the brain being unstable or something like that, even people with near perfect lives get sometimes depressed. I mean sure things like breaking up can trigger it but since you've gotten over the breakup its pretty normal that you're suddenly happy.

 

[Daniel Allsopp]

Spoiler

Bi-polar?

I dunno, I'm no doctor. In any case, I can sort of associate.

Whenever the school year starts, I make this personal vow to be a good student and work hard and other bullshit.

I start off fine, and I do well, and people like me and pat me on the back and tell me I'm smart and other bullshit, but somewhere around the ending of fall and beginning of winter, my SAD kicks in and supercharges my depression and I end up staying in bed a lot, doing nothing and just generally being a douche.

Needless to say, hard work in school doesn't happen during these times.

People stop complimenting me on my work, people call me stupid or tell me that I'm not living up to my potential, people look down on me and suspect me of heavy drug use and criminal activity, but you know what? That makes me feel better.

The more I stop giving a fuck, the better I feel. I've been told countless times that this isn't normal, and that I should keep myself in check, but I honestly just feel good when I don't give a fuck and everybody hates me for it.

It's almost a little bit scary to me...

In the end though, I can't wait to get out of this hole called highschool. I'm so close too, just another year of half-assing, and no fuck-giving. Though it's a miracle I've gotten through 3 of the 4 years of highschool in the first place, what with my terrible grades and such.

Exactly the same happened to me. Last summer I enrolled in college, and was doing fine, until winter came around and I dropped out.

 

[Antari]

I am 19, 20 in January. I have suffered depression since around 13. During last March, I broke up with my girlfriend of over 3 years. Shortly after, in my messed up state, I chased off my only friend.

So why is it, despite being alone, despite everything, I feel happier?

Now I have gotten over the break up, why am I more optimistic? Why is it, sometimes, I feel warm inside? I've never felt like this, not even when I was with my ex.

It's strange... Logic tells me I should be worse than ever, and until recently I was.

Fuckin' humans, how do they work?

Freedom has its own unique feel .. weather you feel freedom from being oppressed or just starting with a clean slate .. is up to you. But either way. A fresh start can always be refreshing.

 

[Queen Michael]

It's because hope smurfs eternal in the human smurf.