[wachiki92]

Because of a financial situation I have not been able to be on my medication for 4 months now (wellbutrin xl and lamictal). I'm feeling depressed and exhausted most of the time. I just want to be alone. but I also am having times where I'm happy and playful undoing out and doing things like shopping and enjoying it. other times I'm nothing but bored and restless. my biggest problem is the sudden invisibility I get over virtually nothing. ill be sad or even happy and laughing and something will happen or someone will do something and I go off. so r I've done ok handling it. I usually count or play classical music to calm down. foes anyone have any skills that work well for them?

[wachiki92]

Oops irritability not invisibility

[furiousfever]

Running is about the only thing that both calms me or motivates me if depressed. I force myself to do it (sometimes 2-3 times a day) no matter what if I feel any kind of off.

I'm sorry about your situation. It sounds like you are working hard to get it under control despite the difficulties. Good work! 👍

[gayleggg]

I find deep breathing exercises calms, a sort of meditation. Listening to relaxation cds helps me.

I have a tough time with irritability as well. That is hard for me to control other than to stay away from my husband which usually catches the brunt of my mood. As a matter of fact right now he is making unnecessary noise which always irritates me. I must remember to take those deep breaths.

[cjb221177]

I learned a whole bunch of coping skills during my partial hospitalization and then during my outpatient group therapy. I am a born skeptic and rationalist but I have to admit some of them really do work even though they seem somewhat silly to begin with:
(i) Mandalas - coloring a mandala pattern for 20 minutes can totally ground you.
(ii) Allowing a single piece of chocolate or candy to dissolve in your mouth with you giving it your 100% attention - this one works the best for me even though it seemed crazy to me when i was first told of it.
(iii) a simple puzzle like a word search - all the answers are in front of you, you just need to focus and find them
(iv) Lists - for example, think of 13 things you find at the beach... be specific and don't let yourself stop until you are able to list 13 things.

It's best to kind of check-in with yourself after each short coping skill you try. You may find you are at a 10 before you start. then after 5 mins you're down to a 7. Keep going and try the same or a different skill. I am a total convert to these which amazes me given my previously closed mindset.

Listening to music is also a winner. If you can find something instrumental i find that works best. Also, use headphones whenever you can. Over-ear headphones better yet. Two artists I find especially relaxing are 'Dustin O'Halloran' and 'Bing & Ruth'.

I'm sorry about your medication situation but I'm also really impressed that you're trying to handle it in a very rational way. Stay strong.

[loophole]

Might sound dumb., I used to not believe in the voodoo I called it. Using audio for hypnosis. Has been very therapeutic for me and I'm hard headed. I don't use it often like I probably should but I will use an app on my phone and put head phones on... I'm always amazed and surprised when I'm done with just how well it works for me

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[CANDC]

I like the breathing exercise with normal breathing. Here are the simple steps.

Breathing exercise - use normal breathing do not force.
If you are feeling very anxious or angry or just want to calm down, you can try a breathing exercise that takes the attention away from the trigger of anxiety to a simple tool of counting breaths.

Find a comfortable position seated or laying down. Begin to relax your breathing. Silently count 1 on the inhale, and two on the exhale. Then silently count 3 on the inhale and 4 on the exhale. Continue up to 10 or until you lose the count then return to one. No judgement. I sometimes end up at 18 then smile and return to 1. The idea is to focus on the breath and the counting and not get sucked into the anxiety or anger trigger. Also works to quiet the mind.

listen to music.
write down how i'm feeling in a letter to someone (like a really horrible, angry ltter), write it all down- then delete it

play an online internet game (i'm a member of several)
try to focus on something that i want to happen/ or has happened that made me feel good

watching a movie. (especially a commedy)

looking up jokes on the internet and having a good giigle

eating. (but that's not always a good thing)

[A Red Panda]

Cleaning can help sometimes with the irritated energy.