When youremoods are swinging

HALLIEBETH87 · Mar 22, 2009, 04:34 PM

when you moods are swinging up and down like a see saw....

youre doing fine one minute and the next youre down and just crying over anything. it might be stresspressing your button and making you tear but how do you know its just stress? The sadness doesnt stay long but you fear it might mean that your moods will soon be even fartherout of whack. At what point do you want to seek guidance from your pdoc? Wheres the line that tells you its not just a bad day?

Junerain · Mar 22, 2009, 04:43 PM

What is your baseline halliebeth, the way you know yourself to be?

HALLIEBETH87 · Mar 22, 2009, 05:23 PM

usually ok. have been ok for more than 4 months now. nowim starting to cry at night and be down some

Junerain · Mar 23, 2009, 05:52 AM

Yes maybe consult your Pdoc, good idea, if you had that idea, if it came from you, then is it good to trust your initial reaction...any factors in your life that could lead to your feeling down?

HALLIEBETH87 · Mar 23, 2009, 06:24 AM

stress. somuch i need to get paid forand no hours at work and no places hiringme.

and the stress makes it hard to sleep. i think im having nightmares...i wake up in asweat and panickysome...used to do that after my nightmares.

Junerain · Mar 23, 2009, 06:38 AM

Yes I would call your Pdoc ((((hallie)))))

DaveyJones · Mar 23, 2009, 11:52 AM

Hi, Halliebeth!

I've been feeling superbad of late. It always sneaks up on me, but I always seem to have the most trouble around the spring and fall equinoxes. Also stress from school (I had to drop a class and have had to punt a couple of assignments because my mind simply isn't functioning right).

I had a pdoc once who said there was research that indicated that it was caused by the rate of change of the length of the day, which is greatest at the spring and fall equinoxes. I don't know about that, but I do know that I have my worst episodes then.

Stress is of course the greatest trigger. So thinking about your trouble is "just stress" is true on one level, it's just the trigger for an episode. I went to an outpatient program a while back that really worked on stress management though DBT techiques. I call it the Costanza School of therapy... do you remember the Seinfeld episode where George decides the key to happiness is to do the exact opposite of his normal behavior? That's what I try to do, actually. If I find myself walking along hunched over, head down kind of shuffling along, I stand up straight, chin up, eyes straight ahead, a smile on my face and act like I have to be somewhere soon. In other words, act like you feel good, almost immediately you'll start feeling a little better. If you're feeling really isolated and lonely, find someone to talk to, even a clerk in a store. In other words, do the exact opposite of what your bipolar is telling you to do. It's not a cure, but it will provide some relief to the crushing despair, honest!

OK, I'm through fixing now, really...just know that we're with you and we care about you!

HALLIEBETH87 · Mar 23, 2009, 01:09 PM

my T told me once that its ok to 'fake it til you make it' and i try to when im on the verge. i, too, have most issues during spring and fall. this time last yr is when i was last in psych hosp. so i know im doing a ton better this time around in change of season. still though the stress at work and not being able to do anything morehurts me and I feel like a failure at times. More so I am trying not to isolate myself but all my friends, I feel like, have forgotten me. I just want everything to work out. I am scared of the anxieyt that is coming back...I dont want to be as bad as I was before. I am supposed to see pdoc in early April. I dont know if I should call now or wait...

I am scard to call anyway. She was so proud I dont want her thinking were back to beginning. I just want to keep it from getting like it was before-horrible! I think I just need adjustment in med I take for anxiety. -sigh- IDK

DaveyJones · Mar 23, 2009, 01:19 PM

You know, Halliebeth, your pdoc is used to people like us having relapses. That's just part of the deal. Call her... she would rather help you now than have you suffer for another couple of weeks.

Hope you feel better soon!