Can I still be depressed if I cycle through short, really high intensity bursts of positive emotion every once in a while?

Yes you can, it is very normal for depression to act like that and it can also have links to manic depression/bi polar but you should talk to your physician about that. Being depressed doesn't always mean you are very low all the time. With me it came in waves and sometimes I would even feel guilty about feeling good when I was depressed.

Of course, you could be depressed and be optimistic. You can feel any emotion and be depressed. You don't have to be down just to feel a certain way.

It's normal to experience sadness and happiness. However, when these feelings get "out of hand", they can negatively affect your life. Personally, I have experienced severe depression mixed with excitement, happiness, and hope many times. It's a very confusing state of mind. In my case, it's a symptom of Bipolar Disorder, but don't worry, having depression and intense bursts of positivity does not automatically mean you have what I have. One example is that your mood might be connected to an hormone imbalance. You can become more aware and comfortable with what you're experiencing. Share the way you feel with a health professional. You might have to shuffle through a few people first, but the relief that comes with identifying and managing (or even fixing) your problem is worth it!

High intensity bursts of positive emotion can consume a lot of your energy and can leave you restless. Don't wind yourself up so much, give yourself a break.

You may be bipolar (this used to be called manic-depressive). People with bipolar disorder go through up-and-down mood cycles that can vary in length from hours to months. The cycles can also vary in intensity. The positive, or "manic" phase, may feel good, but it can also cause dangerous or unwise behaviors because the person can feel invincible or like there are no consequences. It is probably a good idea to see a psychiatrist for an evaluation if you have the symptoms you described.

Yes,it is very possible to still have depression but short bursts of positive energy.I would take a look at it.

Of Course! Depression is an imbalance of hormones in the brain, that doesn't mean you have to be sad and down at all times, it is just that it happens more often then it should and that every once in a while you find something that actually makes you very happy

Yes, you can. Depression is full of ups and downs, which include bursts of positive emotion every once in awhile.

Of course you can! I don't believe that depression has a pause button. It is something that is and could be with us the rest of our lives. Finding a peace of mind every once in a while is a good thing and it lets us know that just because I'm depressed doesn't mean I can't go hang out with this friend or that friend and have fun while going to the movies or putt putting. I believe deep inside, depression follows us like a black dog and once you come to realization that it's okay to be yourself and to love yourself for who you are regardless what follows you, it's okay to have intense bursts of positive emotion. Find something that makes you happy and never let go of it no matter what anyone else thinks. We've all survived 100% of our worst days and finding that ounce of positive energy can make us feel like it's okay to not be okay at times.

Yes you can be depressed, short high intensity bursts of happiness doesn't mean overall happiness, in fact happiness is not based on short term feelings, it is based on your overall sense of worth and feelings in general.