For me, depression comes more frequent than hypomania. Before medication, it would last anywhere from a week to three months while my hypomania would last for a week at most.
My biggest trigger for depression is boredom; because of this, I try to keep myself as busy as possible. For the past 7 years, I did this by working full-time while also completing college at a full-time pace. I obtained my A.S., B.S., M.S.B.A., and M.P.S.. Unfortunately, I am now done with college and have found myself getting bored more frequently and therefore depressed more frequently.
When I get depressed, I become accusatory. I start accusing my friends and family of not caring about me. I tell them that I’ve never mattered to them, that they are just using me, etc. That usually makes them defensive, which starts fights, which in turn makes me more depressed. Since I recognize that this happens, I usually isolate myself to prevent fights, but that doesn’t help the depression either.
For me, what helps the depression is for people to recognize that I’m feeling depressed and simply acknowledge that and tell me that they are still here for me even though I don’t think they are. That has helped every time.
If you have depression, try to acknowledge your feelings and think about what might make you feel better. Then communicate that to the people you are close to. I’ve noticed, that for myself at least, my depression brings out my fears. My two biggest are fear of abandonment and fear of not being seen. What are yours?
If you are a friend or family member of someone dealing with depression, listen to them. Ask them if there is anything you can do to help. And remind them that you are there whenever they need you.
My Bipolar and Me 