[Newbie12]

I seem to have short episodes of bad aggression during depression and mania. Does anyone else experience this and what do you do to get the aggression out?

[Angry1541]

Originally Posted by Newbie12

I seem to have short episodes of bad aggression during depression and mania. Does anyone else experience this and what do you do to get the aggression out?

You can believe I do -- that's how I first decided to see a doc about my issues -- I get rages...which might be more extreme than what you experience...but mine are straight up rage...they have been toned down since I have been medicated, but they have recently popped back through after I have a very stressful labor day weekend working 42 hours in two days...with only 2 hours sleep between shifts...

[Newbie12]

I'm also medicated but was diagnosed 3 weeks ago after 12 yrs. I was thinking of getting a punching bag and making a space in our garage. Plus I know exercise helps me tremendously. When I look back, I started showing signs of bipolar when I was 14 but I also started high school that year and exercised rigorously 6 days a week and went to the gym when I was out of school or joined leagues.

I just wanted to see what others do and if any use exercise or even a punching bag.

[Angry1541]

According to me wife (who in her PsyD program for to be a Psychologist, punching bags only make your more aggressive).

Normal workouts help...creative outlets...manual labor, they all help....you could try journaling too, in order find a outlet for expressing you aggressive feelings -- I play guitar, workout, do landscaping, that all helps.

[Creatre]

There's not much that settles my rage, just needs time. I'm an endurance athlete and exercise does not help get rid of it for me. Punching bag on the other hand might help a bit. At least would help prevent the things I break, lol.

[Lemon Curd]

I walk in nature with my dogs. I have a treadmill & recumbent stationary bike. The trick is to get motivated enough to do these things. On a good day, I can accomplish it, on my bad days, it's very difficult. Even though, I know it would help me tremendously, the couch wins. I am medicated. I find Ativan, definitely helps to calm down my mind.

[Newbie12]

Originally Posted by Angry1541

According to me wife (who in her PsyD program for to be a Psychologist, punching bags only make your more aggressive).

Normal workouts help...creative outlets...manual labor, they all help....you could try journaling too, in order find a outlet for expressing you aggressive feelings -- I play guitar, workout, do landscaping, that all helps.

Really? I think that doing things I don't enjoy would make me more aggressive. I've tried journaling, I can't afford to join a gym because to get my husband's discount you have to pay a year at a time but plan to in January. Can't afford any travel, my only creative talent is writing fiction but I lose motivation quickly.

My neighborhood isn't the greatest (we got duped by our RE agents when we bought our house) or I would run.

[Newbie12]

I should clarify, I'd say I'm more highly irritable snarky.

[Angry1541]

Originally Posted by Newbie12

Really? I think that doing things I don't enjoy would make me more aggressive. I've tried journaling, I can't afford to join a gym because to get my husband's discount you have to pay a year at a time but plan to in January. Can't afford any travel, my only creative talent is writing fiction but I lose motivation quickly.

My neighborhood isn't the greatest (we got duped by our RE agents when we bought our house) or I would run.

Can you get a treadmill? Or a cheap elliptical -- the one I have was only $250.

[eleckra69]

I like to get my anger out kick boxing. If I can't do that, Ativan works.

[Victoria'smom]

I play fight with my dog. Shes about as big as i am. My boys do Karate.

[vans1974]

Weight lifting!

[Angry1541]

Yeah....to be honest I don't know that I agree with my wife to be honest.

[Newbie12]

Originally Posted by Angry1541

Can you get a treadmill? Or a cheap elliptical -- the one I have was only $250.

That's the same price of the gym membership for a year. We're having financial hardship and don't plan on that being the case next year so it wouldn't be a hardship. I'm a little neurotic about where I work out. I like to get away from the house (24 Hr is only 1 mile away, we're on the cusp of a bad neighborhood, I should say). I like the atmosphere, I get motivation from seeing everyone else work out. Plus it would get my 3 yr old out of the house more and around kids her own age. My husband and I moved from our hometown, me for college, him for me a couple yrs later Anyway, both our fam's are 2 hrs round trip away and think we should always go there. I have one friend I speak to almost everyday here and her daughter is 19, and others I see once or twice a year. My point is since the gym has daycare, my daughter would have more trips out and have a chance to play with other kids, then maybe I can take her to ballet, piano, singing, gymnastics, or soccer. She wants to do them all and I'm a stay at home mom and my husband and I decided to pass preschool, let her do extracurriculars for two years so she can decide if there's anything she wants to stay with. We educate her at home.

[Newbie12]

There's a kicking boxing place about a mile away and I've always wanted to try it but the fee is crazy. Like $70/mth. 24 Hr (which includes all clubs) would be less than $25/mth. I know they have classes at 24, they should have kickboxing.

[Newbie12]

I love weight lifting. I had a PT when I was 16 and he showed me how to make my arms muscular with the bulky look. I lose fast when I workout but I also eat A LOT when I work out. I bet out food bill will go up maybe $75/mth. Lol

[Angry1541]

What about yoga? I have done it a few times, and it's really good at centering yourself - and surprising intense.

[CozyMellie]

I took up boxing to channel my energy and it's the best thing I've done for myself. It hasn't made me more aggressive. In fact, I am much more serene, balanced and disciplined. If I don't have gloves and I am irritable then I punch pillows or my mattress. Or skip rope or run for a bit. Basically I try to do something that requires my body to move. I paint and play piano and guitar but I find that only helps me in my depressed states.

[token451]

This happens to me. I usually have to get away from people and focus on a task. I do have a punching bag but don't use it when I'm angry. The speed bag, which still involves punching, does help though because you have to focus on controlling rhythm and strength. You don't focus on beating the bag up, just getting your body fixed in the rhythm.

[~Christina]

I clean .. and clean and clean .Toothbrush cleaning of the floors extremes, literally washing the walls .. Burns off the anger and being tired allows me to get some sleep.

Up side my house is always spotless Yeah a little OCD here

[Hottiedepressed]

Mindfulness meditation
Jump Rope

[Velouria]

Originally Posted by Newbie12

I love weight lifting. I had a PT when I was 16 and he showed me how to make my arms muscular with the bulky look. I lose fast when I workout but I also eat A LOT when I work out. I bet out food bill will go up maybe $75/mth. Lol

Since you love weight lifting, have you tried kettle bells? I do a kettle bell workout video at home (Jillian Michaels, who isn't for everyone but there are a lot out there), and it's great because of the bursts of energy and effort you have to put into the moves. It really helps, especially when I get agitated and ragey. It's only 28 minutes but it's high intensity and really efficient (I'm all for high intensity and efficient). So all you'd need are a kettle bell, a DVD, and some space and something to watch it on. And maybe a mat (I don't need a mat but everyone's different and they always recommend them so I felt I had to add that).

[The_little_didgee]

I don't know what my diagnosis is but I wanted to reply because I get attacks of restlessness and rage. It comes out of nowhere and is very hard to cope with. When it happens I usually have to get away from people because I fear I will lash out at them. I've gotten violent and put some holes in walls a few times. Usually I rock and scream. Sometimes I will flap my hands or stand against the wall and gently hit my head against it. When it is mild and I don't feel like letting it out on others I will go for a long walk.

[pawn78]

Lift weights. HARD. for a long time. Sweat, blood pumping...IMMENSE MOOD LIFT! Intense exercise is better than any anti-depressant for me.

[Pikku Myy]

Biking, swimming, walking, yard work - any psychical activity.

@ Christina... I organize spice cabinets alphabetically when manic, rofl