This explains the various levels of elevations and depressions, to give you an idea of what I mean when I say I'm "slightly depressed", or "quite elevated", or "dysphoric". If you plan on hanging out with me, this'll give you an idea of what to expect.
explaining the spectrum
<---------------------|--------------------->
deepening depression . . . NORMAL/BASELINE . . . escalating elevation
BASELINE / NORMAL
HUNKY-DORY / GOOD
Normal. No anxiety or agitation (except that which is normal to people). Some oddness typical of artistic types may be present . All's good.
This is where I should be. I'd really appreciate it if you could help me stay as close to this as possible.
THE DEGREES OF ELEVATION
(Going upward from the baseline)
Increase in energy. Lack of sleep. Aggressive behavior. Positive outlook. Increased creativity and productivity. Increased distractability and/ or increased ability to focus (depends on the situation). Slight disorganization. Increased extroversion. Slight obsessions. Slight anxiety and irritability. Active imagination. Racing thoughts.
A slight elevation has almost no effect on day-to-day activities. Most of the time it just looks like hyperactivity.
(Going upward from the baseline)
Slight Elevation
A slight elevation has almost no effect on day-to-day activities. Most of the time it just looks like hyperactivity.
Moderate ElevationExcessive energy. Loss of sleep. Extreme happiness that can instantly shift to extreme anger. Extreme creativity but low productivity. Extreme focus and/or a lack of it (depends on the situation). Intrusive behavior. Jerkiness. F-words. Overconfidence. Auditory hallucinations. Obsessive-compulsive behavior. Obsessive anxiety. Argumentativeness. Slight disregard for others. Finding humor in unlikely things / inability to access sad emotions. Laughter fits. Anger fits for no reason.
High Elevation
Excessive energy. No need for sleep. Incapability to perform usual tasks. Extreme distractability and/ or extreme focus. Excessively intrusive, ostentatious behavior. Megalomania. Disregard for others. Delusions. Increased obsessive-compulsive behavior. Combativeness. Unconquerable anger.
Severe Elevation
This has never yet happened, but I suppose at this point, people will want to kill me.
THE DEGREES OF DEPRESSION
(Downward from the baseline)
(Downward from the baseline)
Slight Depression
Decrease in energy. Loss of sleep. Sadness. Slight anxiety and irritabilty. Increased introspection and introversion. Self-doubt. Loss of interest in things formerly enjoyed. Loss of interest in life. Active imagination. Oversensitivity. Slight obsessions. Brooding. Indecisiveness. Autophobia. Monophobia. Slight selfishness.
Overall, a slight depression has little effect on day-to-day activities.
Overall, a slight depression has little effect on day-to-day activities.
Moderate Depression
Lethargy. Severe dysania (unwillingness and inability to get up from bed). Loss of will to live. Anger or distress for no reason. Hopelessness. Inconsolable despair. Suicidal thoughts. Withdrawal. Worry. Destructive obsessions. Social anxiety. Self-centeredness. Unconquerable negative thought patterns. Unexpressed anger. Auditory hallucinations. Weeping and wailing. Agoraphobia. Irrational fears.
Deep Depression
Extreme withdrawal. Suicide plans. If this happens immediately after an elevated episode, there's a good chance the suicide plans will be acted on. Hide all sharp objects.
Severe Depression
Just about a resignation from existence.
Severe Depression
Just about a resignation from existence.
MIXED EPISODES
(a.k.a. DYSPHORIA)
A random combination of symptoms of both depression and elevation.More of elevation = manic dysphoria
More of depression = depressive dysphoria
HERE'S MORE:
About the accompanying anxiety and agitation
Every episode automatically comes with anxiety and agitiation / irritability.
So yes, this means I would not usually be perceived as "nice" (Well, geniuses rarely are).
I do my best to be kind, so I hope you will too.
Anxiety levels:
0 - None.1 - Racing thoughts. Restlessness. Constant discomfort. Slight obsessions.
2 - Nagging thoughts. Unrest. Worry. Brooding. Autophobia. Agoraphobia. Slight Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior. Moderate social anxiety (when depressed).
3 - Irrational fear. Paranoia. Weeping (when depressed). Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior. Severe social anxiety (when depressed). Severe intrusiveness (when elevated). Repulsive behavior. Withdrawal.
4 - Same as above, but worse.
5 - This has never happened, but I suppose at this point: Delusion. Semi-logical reasoning.I've been abducted by aliens.
Agitation levels:
0 - None1 - Irritabilty. Restlessness. Constant discomfort. Snarkiness
2 - Polite argumentativeness. Unrest. Unsoothable anger. Full-on bitchiness.
3 - Unapologetic nastiness. Impetuousness. Argumentativeness. Rage.
4 - Murderous notions. Intentionally inflicting harm on self and / or others, and enjoying it.
5 - This has never happened, but I suppose at this point, it's Chainsaw Massacre.
