Over the years I've been prescribed different drugs, to 'Assist' my emotional swings.. Those that i can remember include (Lorian, Purata, Normison, Ritalin(as a child))

However, most of the time, because of the wanted effects of these med's i cant properly function at my job... I have found that to slow the emotional swinging the meds actually slow down your ability to think.. I'm a software developer, and while on meds, have found that it's extreamly difficult to concentrate, and follow the complex integration within the software I'm working on. I'd much rather sit at my desk and vegetate, Playing games and surfing the net...

However, If I stop the meds, I find that My thought patterns are very different and i can work at a much higher Level, Solving problems (often before the other developers even see them) almost instantly (at least in my head)....

For a long time i've tried lifestyle Management as a 'Treatment' and have found it works, at least until someone else throws in a spanner. I'm lucky in that my wife does not expect to be constantly romanced, and taken out to restaurants, clubs, cinema, etc. We live a quite, relaxed, stay at home life, and I'm constantly monitoring my Anger issue's, and Give away ticks..

Of course monitoring them, does not guarantee that i can avoid the Panic Attacks, or the sudden outbursts of rage, and much like the Teutul's at OCC (American Choppers), I've had to Fix / Replace many a door..

Of course most of the times that the Doc prescribed these drugs, they've been to treat one of the symptoms(Depression) and not the cause, Mostly because I've never really shared those details before.. The Last time I was on a course of Lorian, I actually almost lost my job because of lack of progress.

However I've found that if i start with some symptom's, the best thing for me to do is to remove my self from the current situation (normally an Argument/Disagreement between the wife and someone else), Go for a walk/ Drive, Turn up the music, and try to catch the emotions before they run away.. this is normally sufficient to curb the Anxiety, however with each 'Situation' it get harder and harder to control.. Until eventually I have a serious blow out (however i'm down to ~ 2 a year now)..

We'll be moving soon, to a better neighborhood, with a bigger property, and lower crime rate, which i hope will also help in reducing my overall anxiety.. And there will be plenty for me to do, to calm and relax me...