[Honeydew1]

I think I might be cycling up or I'm just real excited to be in a community of people who understand. I've needed this!

[cubshadow]

howdy. I'm cubshadow the frailboy phaser. 20 years old, I was officially diagnosed with D three years ago. I had an event and spent some time getting my stomach pumped in the hospital, with little follow-up. My primary care decided to give me Prozac, and I don't need to tell any of you what that did for me. from there it was lamictal, seroquel, a few others. I moved to Cleveland for school and ended up trying to take my life with a left over bottle of Prozac. dropped out, became incredibly med-aversive (an attitude which I'm still trying to climb out of) and have been experiencing rapid declines in my mental health. Ive been in hospitals all across the country 5 times since then. I've given up awesome opportunities because I'm incapable of doing the work. I'm bipolar I, and I'm pretty sure I'm schizoaffective as well but I haven't been to a psych in two years to know for sure. it's greatly inhibiting my ability to feel at one with the world. I don't want to be here, so attaching myself to human processes and following through with responsibilities is an incredibly difficult task. I had a nice job barbacking, making good money, had a breakdown, and now they're slowly trying to let me go. the worst part about all of this is I've grown to accept my multiple, fluctuating realities as the cold icy definition of who I am on this earth. it's become my persona. I defend it. and so the perceived normality makes it difficult to go for a psych. I also hate the mental health system, and have had a ton of bad experiences and bad psychs. without a car it's tough to get to the suburbs, where they all are... anyway. I'm cubshadow. certifiably not-well, if anyone wants to share delusions or strange stories of manic episodes, by all means. I can relate.

oh, and mostly, I want perspective. I have a lot of probably damaging philosophies and I'm sure that reaching out to people who are stable with this condition will inspire me to actually get some help.

[Honeydew1]

Originally Posted by canada58

Hi,

My name is J. I have just recently been diagnosed with bipolar, and I also suffer from addiction. I have been misdiagnosed for over 10 years, I think the first time I was diagnosed with depression was around age 14, and I am 26 now. I had what most would describe as a 'good' life I suppose. I'm good at school, athletic, had tons of friends, came from a decent family. But even when I've seemed to have everything, I could never stay happy long. And the lows just seem to get worse and worse. I turned to alcohol, and different drugs along the way. I got straight A's in high school and never really needed to study. But University has been a different story. Last year I was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed ritalin. At the time I seemed to have everything going for me. I had a good job, was in my 2nd year of University, was in very good shape, I even ran a couple half marathons. I was also dating a guy who I thought was the love of my life. I was drinking often, but it wasn't a huge problem, and I hadn't touched weed or cocaine in years. Well the ritalin seemed to help at first, but I think I may have just liked the way it made me feel, and how I didn't get hungry. I was also diagnosed with bulimia at a young age, which I manage, but never really goes away. Eventually I started snorting the ritalin. Even when I wasn't doing that, things weren't going well. Everything started getting more extreme more often. My highs were wonderful, but got out of hand, and the lows were terrible to the point where I wouldn't get out of bed for days or weeks, and lie to my boyfriend about, because how do you explain that to someone. I get angry very easily, and sometimes I just can't handle anything. I pushed him away, and have pretty much destroyed every relationship in my life. My university career has suffered and just keeps getting worse. I can't get my self to exercise or go see friends or do much of anything. And just the other day I lost my job. I've completely isolated myself. I'm hoping medication may help me feel a little better?? But I really don't know what to do next, or how to repair my life. Any advice of what's worked for anyone, or anything hopeful would be nice to hear at this point. thanks.

One day at a time. I made a goal sheet for myself when I'm down/depressed. It's call 3. I take 3 showers a week (which I could go 6 days without one), 3 days a week I take my fish oil, Calcium/magnesium (sp, funny when I need it when I'm down I don't take it, but when I'm up I take it), make 3 post on Fb, excercise 3 days a week. 3 days, get out of bed when wake ( I can stay in bed all day!) eat 3 good meals a week (I could go all day without eating). Now, if I would follow through.
So you could use 2 or 1 and goal set things that will help you get through your lows.

[Honeydew1]

Originally Posted by Honeydew1

One day at a time. I made a goal sheet for myself when I'm down/depressed. It's call 3. I take 3 showers a week (which I could go 6 days without one), 3 days a week I take my fish oil, Calcium/magnesium (sp, funny when I need it when I'm down I don't take it, but when I'm up I take it), make 3 post on Fb, excercise 3 days a week. 3 days, get out of bed when wake ( I can stay in bed all day!) eat 3 good meals a week (I could go all day without eating). Now, if I would follow through.
So you could use 2 or 1 and goal set things that will help you get through your lows.

Another thing you might look into is Biofeedback. It's a relaxation method. I had been breathing wrong my whole life. It teaches you how to breathe right and provides you a way to breath. Great for anxiety! I use it often. Having a hard time falling asleep just do the Biofeedback, it will calm you down to a slow and relaxing state. It works! Breathing incorrectly can cause a ton of illnesses. Seriously! Research it, find someone who can do it. My counselor does it.

[rhiogan7]

Hello to everyone my name Is Beth.My DX is Rapid Cycling mixed BP1 with psychotic features.Yay me also have OCD which causes me to have a huge problem with intrusive thoughts.Also Generalized anxiety and panic disorder.Other stuff to but it all runs together after awhile.Full blown evil raging mania is what I fear the most.My depression is mild compared to my mania side.Hugzzzz nice to meet you all.

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[Honeydew1]

Started Seraqual last night 25mg. Slept ok except for a couple nightmares. And woke very nauseous and weak. Might need a lower dosage. Hoping it helps my depression when I transition down as I'm up now.

[ceramichornets]

Hi! I'd rather not give out my name, if that's okay. I was diagnosed with Bipolar type 2 disorder about two years ago and complex PTSD since I was seven or eight. Most of my friends and acquaintances don't know, and while I do have a small circle that's very supportive of me, it's still hard. I want to talk to people who know what it feels like and can understand where I'm coming from. I'm currently on 100 mg of Lamotrigine (very recently upped my dosage) and also taking 5 mg of Ambien to help me sleep (hasn't worked very well so far). Hello everyone!

[BashfullOne]

Thank you. This is hard, coming here. I'm severely depressed and worn out. Tired of pretending that I'm fine. I have agoraphobia and forced to leave my home. It tears me up and scares me!! It's push,push, push... Just stop pushing me, is what I want to yell, scream at them!!! Leave me alone, please, is what I want to tell them?

[SciFi Priest]

Hi, my name is Richard. I am 44 and was diagnosed 27 years ago. I have been able to make it through life without treatment. At least I thought I was. I guess due to the fear and emabarrasment I just lying to myself. I am sitting here in my house that I have hardly left for the last 4 months. I quit my job, I walked out on friendships. I'm not really sure why my wife has stayed with me. I am so mean and sorry stops having meaning after a while. Anyway she stays on one side of the house and me on the other. It has been such a crazy and dark place. I am feting to have the responsibility and courage to get help, but failing at that too. I started this blog to try and face it, and I guess everyone can't handle me so well. lol Just thought I would say hello. Reading the posts here have made me not feel alone.

[Ms.Wildside]

Hello all. I am weary of posting my real name pretty much anywhere online so I will go by nickname Ms.Wildside. A lot of people just call me Wildside. Anyways, I am 27 years old and was diagnosed as bipolar in February of this year. Honestly since I was a kid, I felt as if there was something off about me (I don't know how else to describe it); at 15 I discussed my issues with the high school psychiatrist and she chalked it up to being just a moody teenager and seeking attention. Because of this I tries to hide my issues as best I could. After years of hiding, several relationships with abusive men, and trying to cope through drug and alcohol, I decided it was time for a change and moved back to my parents. Life seemed to get better, I got into a trade school for something I aabsolutely love, graduated and got a job in my trade. My love life was far from 'normal' and I still continued to smoke marijuana daily and binge drink on occasion. Then about a year and a half ago I reconnected with an old acquaintance and we started dating. I soon found myself head over heels, I had never been in such a relationship with someone like him, he truly cares about me and is so open and honest, and wants to do everything he possibly can for me. Then the panic attacks started to hit, honestly I didn't know what they were and thought I was dying so I ended up in the ER several times until the last time there I broke down. The doctor knew there was something else going on aside from my physical pain and called the county crisis line and soon there was a counselor there asking me questions and talking with me. After talking for at least an hour she said it seemed to her that I was probably bipolar and recommended I get evaluated. I told her I was confused as to why suddenly when life was going so well and I was in a healthy relationship for once that I was being hit so hard with these panic attacks and cycles now. She told me that because I was finally in a healthy relationship and thinking about a future with my boyfriend including marriage and children it was causing me to stress about my issues and essentially coming forward so I could get professional help. (She explained it much better than I can here). So I took her advice and had an evaluation done at a local mental health clinic that helps people with no health insurance and little to no income (currently I fall into both these categories). After the evaluation I was told I was bipolar, with some anxiety issues and possibly PTSD from some traumatic experiences in my past. Although I quit drinking because I was still using marijuana daily I was put into a dual diagnosis group as well as a waiting list to see the doctor. I am currently awaiting to be see the doctor and be put on medication. I have stopped using and drinking completely and I am still attending my group as often as I can. Honestly I am struggling with being sober because the marijuana helped me (or at least seemed to help me) with the anxiety and depression up until the last time I used while in the midst of a manic episode and I had by far the worst panic attack yet. Anyways now that I noticed Ihave essentially written a novella I will sign off. I am looking forward to chatting with everyone.

[Angry1541]

Originally Posted by Ms.Wildside

Hello all. I am weary of posting my real name pretty much anywhere online so I will go by nickname Ms.Wildside. A lot of people just call me Wildside.

Welcome!

[qoute] Anyways, I am 27 years old and was diagnosed as bipolar in February of this year. [/quote]

Me too! But I was diagnosed in January.

Honestly since I was a kid, I felt as if there was something off about me (I don't know how else to describe it);

Me too!

Because of this I tries to hide my issues as best I could.

Me too!

After years of hiding, several relationships with abusive men, and trying to cope through drug and alcohol, I decided it was time for a change...

Me too! Except abusive women in my case.

The rest of your story is similar to mine....I also found someone that totally changed my life...she is the best...after living with her for a while...and getting married, I quit drinking and doing drugs, even quit smoking...because I wanted to spend my days with quality with her....that's when my issues really came to light. I always had rage moments brought about my high anxiety...but they got really worse without alcohol, drugs and tobacco as medication....so my wife asked me to get a mental health assessment for depress....

Turns out I have BP...not ADHD that I was diagnosed as a kid. This was like "Wow...really Bi Polar...nah...not me...." But it made sense and eventually I accepted it...

Now medicated for the last half a year, I haven't had any rage moments, and except for a 3 month period of depression (which I am now medicated against happening again)...I have been pretty happy....still get hypomanic, but I don't rage when it happens anymore...

So, you are in the right place...we all have lots of commonalities in our stories.

[bleutamales]

Greetings everyone. I stumbled across this board when I was researching my new diagnosis of BPII. After 20+ years of fighting "depression" and bulimia and being resistant to every antidepressant out there I finally had a full blown manic episode in December. I blew my 12 year sobriety when I vacationed at my parents house and just drank myself into oblivion and then drove around picking fights and flirting with homeless men finally ending up at a 24 hour Walmart where I bought pretty shiny things and outfits for my boston terrier. Then I crashed and was suicidal. I almost checked into the hospital but my p-doc added ativan and I slept for a couple days. P-doc finally diagnosed me BP and added lamictal. I slept for 4 weeks straight. Thankfully I have a very good support system and my mom took care of my son and all his school stuff. Now, I feel semi-alright. I still rapidly cycle like crazy but I feel much better than last summer when I was only on prozac, gabapentin and topomax. I worked at my son's school this whole year and made no friends (who can you trust???) but the kids were wonderful and it gave me a reason to get out of bed. I'm worried that now school is out I'm going to fall back into my hermit ways. I'm really glad I found this forum. It makes me feel like I'm not the only one on earth feeling like this. I look forward to getting to know everyone.

[SouthernMom05]

Well, I'll just say that my name is J. I'm a mom of a toddler, with two (almost 3) jobs, planning a wedding, a move, with a fiance that works out of town for a week straight. I was just diagnosed with BPII a month ago but I've faced periods of depression and anxiety since I was probably 12. After I had my child, PPD wrecked havoc on my emotions and mind. Stress has eaten away at me the last few weeks trying to wait on this new medication to kick in. (Trileptal, Wellbutrin, and Trazadone for sleep.) This last week has been especially hard and I have no idea why. I try to explain to my fiance and he just simply doesnt understand. It doesn't help that I can't explain it that well to begin with. I feel isolated and alone and Im constantly apologizing to my son for being crazy. Thats why I joined this site. There is so much negativity assigned to mental illness that I feel like if I even say it, Im just trying to get attention. And thats not how it is at all. Like I said.. I feel very alone. I just want to find people who know what Im going through and just talk. Get it all out there. Im a very outgoing and social person with two careers that involve sales and talking to A LOT of people. I love my careers. But my motivation (or lack thereof) is causing me to lose my focus. And become quite antisocial. Anyways... thats me. Feeling stressed, helpless, unmotivated, and aggravated. And did I mention crying? Lots of crying. Thanks for letting me air it alllllllll out.

[Mistik1]

Hello all....My name is Thomas from the midwest/USA. I was recently diagnosed with Rapid Cycling Type 1 BPD. It has been a bit of a curse as it lead to numerous failed relationships, loss of a house and career, and estrangement from my two year old son. It has also been a bit of a blessing as now I can see the repeating BP behaviors I've had since early childhood. Things make much more sense now. My manic/depressive phases are very rapid cycling sometimes within each day. Been on Meds now for a year and things are slowing beginning to balance out (Lamitrogen, Latuda, Escitalopram, and probably Lithium at the end of the month). I very excited to find a place like this and look forward to sharing experiences. Nice to meet you all!

[sichi-26]

I really relate to your experience! I am also BP11, although it's taking me a long time to actually accept that. I was diagnosed two years ago, and I go off the meds every now and then, as if to 'check' that the Doctor is right. Turns out she was. Trying to get on track now. I have also had bulimnia since a teenager, although it really goes away when I'm on the meds. I have had therapy for this, but the therapist concluded that it was just one of the tools I use to regulate my moods, and that it wasn't a 'food' issue as such. I can also relate to your evening of drinking to oblivion then wandering the streets and buying all manner of things. All my life, people put it down to being a bit 'eccentric' or 'colourful'. Fantastic. But it also leaves me with no money afterwards, and then there's a downhill-slide into depression! When I was a lot younger, I used all manner of illegal mind-altering substances to counteract this depression, which worked in the short-term, but of course came with countless other negative effects. Since then, I 'grew up', and learnt to manage myself in more responsible ways. Not always successfully, but I'm trying! Hope you are ok at the moment.

Originally Posted by bleutamales

Greetings everyone. I stumbled across this board when I was researching my new diagnosis of BPII. After 20+ years of fighting "depression" and bulimia and being resistant to every antidepressant out there I finally had a full blown manic episode in December. I blew my 12 year sobriety when I vacationed at my parents house and just drank myself into oblivion and then drove around picking fights and flirting with homeless men finally ending up at a 24 hour Walmart where I bought pretty shiny things and outfits for my boston terrier. Then I crashed and was suicidal. I almost checked into the hospital but my p-doc added ativan and I slept for a couple days. P-doc finally diagnosed me BP and added lamictal. I slept for 4 weeks straight. Thankfully I have a very good support system and my mom took care of my son and all his school stuff. Now, I feel semi-alright. I still rapidly cycle like crazy but I feel much better than last summer when I was only on prozac, gabapentin and topomax. I worked at my son's school this whole year and made no friends (who can you trust???) but the kids were wonderful and it gave me a reason to get out of bed. I'm worried that now school is out I'm going to fall back into my hermit ways. I'm really glad I found this forum. It makes me feel like I'm not the only one on earth feeling like this. I look forward to getting to know everyone.

[adc1]

Hello and thank u for starting this group and allowing me to be a part of it. I have been diagnosed for 4 yrs now. On and off meds, in and out if therapy yet still have no real support with this issue. Hope I can find support, understanding and solutions here.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[amd08992]

My name is Annie. I am 27 and living in the southern mid-west. I'm married with a 2 year old son. I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression when I was about 11. I have been on and off medications since then. In the last 3.5 years I have noticed that medications were not working anymore. We tried several different meds, different families of meds, no meds and have had no success for over a year now. At one point my doctor asked if I had ever been diagnosed with anything other than anxiety and depression. It caught me off guard, so I started researching. I read about other disorders and Bipolar II got my attention right away. My doctors have always said that I couldn't be bipolar because I did not suffer from the manic episodes (although I could disagree, High school seems pretty manic now that I think of it). I had never known there was also a manic depression side to it. Every symptom fits me to a T. I have not been clinically diagnosed, but just researching and having that moment where I may have finally found the right path has been so relieving because now I know where to go, I'm no longer searching in the dark for an answer. I joined this support group because I know this is a long, hard road and to be honest I don't have many people in my life that understand it including my husband. I'm hoping that I can find that support that I need here.

[gardeninginpeace]

Hello, I am new to all of this. I was diagnosed about 6 months ago with type II Bipolar. I have a long and complicated story that I will share as time goes on. I live in Kansas; married for the second time; have one son from first marriage who has a large part of the complcated story; I am a licensed masters level social worker, I consider myself retired at this point. I decided to join this group because I often times find myself feeling alone and misunderstood. My hope is too connect with others who can help me to navigate through times when my mind feels as though it is trying to kill me. Thanks for listening.

[inflammable]

Hi all. I'm new here, but not to bipolar disorder. I was diagnosed twelve years ago with bipolar type I. Recently going through a mixed state and have been having a rough time after years of general wellness. I'm here to see how others are coping, and to learn from my peers.

[tiggersmine]

Hello, wow, finally somewhere to go for support. I've been diagnosed a long time ago. Me and meds don't work well together. I'm very sensitive to all meds. Any side effect, I have the worst ones. I'm diagnosed with bipolar, OCD, and major depression. My Dr. just can't seem to find a good cocktail of meds to help me. My issues are bad right now. Lack of sleep, no energy, not eating, lack of interest, well, you know the rest. And this is usually my good time of year. I recently tried welbutrin, I got tremors, and it caused tinnitus, cymbalta, I had white light in my eyes, I couldn't see anything for about 2 or 3 minutes. And my blood pressure dropped. The tinnitus is driving me crazy, hopefully it will go away. I hope I'll be able to give some hints or techniques that I learned along the way in my journey and maybe someone will be able to pass along some hints or techniques they've learned. in dealing with this illness. So we all can handle it easier and live our lives more peaceful.

[Foxx197]

Hello....I go by Foxx....34,F, married, mother of 2.....and I'm here because although I have accepted my illness, and have a good support system, I'm still so alone...
:-(.....they can understand abstractly, know the facts, symptoms, triggers....but people without BP can not relate to the sadistic roller coaster that never stops in my head...
I've been in my bedroom for almost a month now....I can't live my life like this....I have to find a way out of this prison that is my mind...if I can logically see that, why can't I get up...????

[gertrudecinders]

Originally Posted by Polly23

Hi Guys,
I am a new member. I am really looking forward to chatting with you all.
I was diagnosed with bipolar last fall at 41, after I went on my antidepressants for the 4th or 5th time. I would start them for 6 months or so, go off of them, then restart which led me into severe rapid cycling and I have pretty much lived in a mixed state on and off since. I was started on Valroic Acid and my dose increase then I gained almost 10 lbs in less than 3 weeks. I am to be reassessed next week, but I am a little scared as it seems it takes most of you alot of trials of different meds before you get the right combination.
Most importantly, I am a wife and a mother of 3 awesome kids and they are really my first priority. I hate to burden my husband with all the stuff it is so draining for me to keep on top of. And I would be fine if it was once or twice a week that I need to check out from everyone and go to bed after dinner, but I feel like that often and I fell like I deprive the kids their mom sometimes. Hate crying all the time too. However it's better than the irritability/agitation that comes with the hypomania/mania. I can be such a major "B". Got to try to get to sleep or I know I'll be in trouble tomorrow..Good night for now....

As a single mother I can relate completely to the guilt. But the need to check out is so strong sometimes there's nothing I can do about it. I have to constantly pace and check on my kids yet the need to hide in my room is there. It's very difficult! Thank you for your honesty. It has helped!

[roburch]

I really don't know what to say. It's easier to type rather than in person that's for sure. Hello everyone. [edited by mod] but please call me Rob or Robbie. I'm a 51 year old man who is most certainly bipolar. I live in Lincolnshire and so far have had little professional help. Sadly my trust in out local psychiatrist along with his Mental Health Team fell by the wayside though recently I have decided to give another go to rebuilding any trust that was lost.

On my first appointment with the psychiatrist he immediately increased my doses of Venlafaxine to 300mg. When I approached my G.P. I was advised the safe level was 225mg which I was already on. As my GP has witnessed my down times shall we say I trusted him rather than what I perceived to be a fool who was dishing out antidepressants willy nilly. I began to talk total rubbish to him throughout that one hour appointment just to get out.

Was I wrong? I mean should I trust a man who appeared to know arrogantly know me, what I go through and what I have been through after one hour who increase doses above recommended levels or a man as my G.P who knows everything?

All trust I was building was dashed and I lashed out. Now I know that was wrong in itself. They thought they knew me so well after one hour, better than I know myself.

They were so wrong.

I began a journey of self preservation and self discovery and wrote everything down from before I could remember in the hope I could find and face my inner demons head on. I even published it on Kindle in the hope someone would find and read it and offer me a way forward. I thought it would help but ...

This time I was wrong!

Now my life is out there for the world to scrutinize. It was the worst thing I could have done and I am not here to publicize it further that's for sure.

I am the freak my mother and family always claimed I was. I'm no further forward and the condition continues to remain within.

I'm hoping forums like this can help me in some small way and I am looking forward to reading posts, but not today. I'm a little down right now.

And so to end...

I lock myself away from society, rarely if ever venturing out of my home and this typing and seeing on screen lark seems to look promising - for me. I live a solitary life indeed with a partner of 23 years and 13 dogs. They are the only ones that give me any comfort or feeling of safety these days.

Sadly I also own a very volatile temper, normally verbal but physical has come to the surface on a couple of occasions. After 51 years I feel being locked away at home is best for me.

I do feel like a freak after being called one from ever since I can remember and really feel society is a better place without me right now. Why am I saying all this? What am I doing? Sorry

I'm sure I'll partake soon, just not yet.

Kindest regards

Rob

xxx

[Curiosity77]

Originally Posted by roburch

I really don't know what to say. It's easier to type rather than in person that's for sure. Hello everyone. [edited by mod] but please call me Rob or Robbie. I'm a 51 year old man who is most certainly bipolar. I live in Lincolnshire and so far have had little professional help. Sadly my trust in out local psychiatrist along with his Mental Health Team fell by the wayside though recently I have decided to give another go to rebuilding any trust that was lost.


On my first appointment with the psychiatrist he immediately increased my doses of Venlafaxine to 300mg. When I approached my G.P. I was advised the safe level was 225mg which I was already on. As my GP has witnessed my down times shall we say I trusted him rather than what I perceived to be a fool who was dishing out antidepressants willy nilly. I began to talk total rubbish to him throughout that one hour appointment just to get out.


Was I wrong? I mean should I trust a man who appeared to know arrogantly know me, what I go through and what I have been through after one hour who increase doses above recommended levels or a man as my G.P who knows everything?


All trust I was building was dashed and I lashed out. Now I know that was wrong in itself. They thought they knew me so well after one hour, better than I know myself.


They were so wrong.


I began a journey of self preservation and self discovery and wrote everything down from before I could remember in the hope I could find and face my inner demons head on. I even published it on Kindle in the hope someone would find and read it and offer me a way forward. I thought it would help but ...


This time I was wrong!


Now my life is out there for the world to scrutinize. It was the worst thing I could have done and I am not here to publicize it further that's for sure.


I am the freak my mother and family always claimed I was. I'm no further forward and the condition continues to remain within.


I'm hoping forums like this can help me in some small way and I am looking forward to reading posts, but not today. I'm a little down right now.


And so to end...


I lock myself away from society, rarely if ever venturing out of my home and this typing and seeing on screen lark seems to look promising - for me. I live a solitary life indeed with a partner of 23 years and 13 dogs. They are the only ones that give me any comfort or feeling of safety these days.


Sadly I also own a very volatile temper, normally verbal but physical has come to the surface on a couple of occasions. After 51 years I feel being locked away at home is best for me.


I do feel like a freak after being called one from ever since I can remember and really feel society is a better place without me right now. Why am I saying all this? What am I doing? Sorry


I'm sure I'll partake soon, just not yet.


Kindest regards


Rob


xxx

I looked up venlafaxine on my medical app, and the max daily dose is 375 mg for depression, 225 mg for anxiety. So you should be safe at 300 mg. i'm an NP, so i have a membership to the same app that doctors use, so the info is definitely accurate and current. i hope that helps.

[MyOtherSelf]

Hey Ya'll, (Just joined today) Posted my mood as Relieved-as in relieved to have found the site, yet a major part of my character that I battle with is procrastination.

I've spent (almost) my entire adult life being self-employed, allowing myself to let things go/ then go without sleep/food etc, to meet deadlines. Often times I let the answering machine take calls from clients...as I just now did. I didn't answer because i couldn't bring myself to tell my client his Sailboat covers I making aren't finished. Now I have knots in my stomach, I'm wound up and am no longer feeling "relieved". (self-talk) "Why have you spent the last 5 hours on the computer-instead working?" I had no answer for him, and I only have disgust for myself.

I so want to handle things like a mature adult, yet this grey-haired old lady still hides from reality, and I'm constantly letting people down.

It's been over a month now that I'm getting less than 2-3 hrs sleep a night. Past history of this pattern, one day soon I'll fall to sleep after my husbands' alarm goes off (at 4am) and he will wake me up when he gets home from work at 6-7pm. I'll tell him I wasn't feeling good and had taken a nap-thus he doesn't know I slept all day. The rest of the time I fake that I'm asleep when he gets up, lay still with my eyes shut and get up after he comes back in the room to kiss me goodbye as he leaves at 5:30.

I had hoped a change of eating habits, exercise and making a to-do-list/time chart every day would help me to get myself on track. Today I looked up "Self-diagnosis of bi-polar" -just for gigggles, before I started working..

I want this all to change- Yet-I really hoped there was a holistic method to control my short comings instead of medication. I'm always concerned about the side effects of comiting to Meds!

Any suggestions? Other than "get off the computer-and go get the sewing job done?"

Thanks in advance- I'm sinking again-