Joy Division - New Dawn Fades Lyrics Meaning

It's about Bipolar. He is describing the detachment one feels and a loss of one's self that accompanies a bipolar depressive episode.

Everything looks, sounds, and smells different. It's not just an emotional state. It permeates your entire being, and you have little control. "Different colors, different shades, over each mistakes were made"

The tip off is the lines are, "it was me, waiting for, hoping for something more..." also the memory loss that comes "a chance to watch, admire the distance, still occupied though you forget" Depression is a cold, isolated place and knowing you will be there again and again is pure hell.