Can long term depression turn into something different?
BACKSTORY: I've had depression for what I want to say is 6-8 years (idk how long since I denied it for so long, only accepted I had it 3 years ago). I've recently done a lot of thinking, researching, and even a good handful of online screenings. With each thing I look into, it's saying I have both bipolar depression as well as social anxiety, and I've noticed I tend to jump between extreams with my mood as well as having a harder time socializing. Before, it was just flat out depression. Is it possible that long term depression can change as well as be the root for other problems?
@John04
That is a very fantastic question I myself have no idea I've had mine for almost 11years now and I don't feel any different no changes I got depression panic attacks anxiety bipolar depression and a tiny bit of social anxiety but non of this I've had for long time hasn't changed I myself as a person has changed but not my issues I have that I listed they haven't changed just me myself I've changed for the better
@John04
I think that sometimes when you've suffered from a mental illness for a long time, you start to deal with things differently. Also, when you have more than one issue, they can overlap and cause symptoms of other things entirely. I usually try to identify which sorts of things make me feel one of the symptoms more prominently and try to see if it's the two overlapping or if it's separate.
@John04 Possibly. Or you could have been misdiagnosed. After 3-4 years thinking I just had depression I was diagnosed as bipolar. So I think that may be a posibility.