[Aiyana]

Lately my emotions have been all over the place. For the last 2 weeks, the main emotion has been irritation. It's weird and annoying....I feel like I'm about to explode, I snap at the littlest things. Then the tears come, for no reason at all. I can't concentrate on doing anything for very long.
Then yesterday I woke up (after not much sleep) in the best mood, I was happy, I got so much done....it was nice to not be so grumpy but it was tiring. I couldn't sit still, I was wired. I took 2 sleeping tabs to make sure I got some sleep - and woke up 2 hours later. I dozed for a few hours, now I'm up and back to that irritated mood again.
I'm tired of feeling like this. I have no reason, life is great right now. I just wish my emotions would settle down or go away!

[vital]

Originally Posted by Aiyana

Lately my emotions have been all over the place. For the last 2 weeks, the main emotion has been irritation. It's weird and annoying....I feel like I'm about to explode, I snap at the littlest things. Then the tears come, for no reason at all. I can't concentrate on doing anything for very long.
Then yesterday I woke up (after not much sleep) in the best mood, I was happy, I got so much done....it was nice to not be so grumpy but it was tiring. I couldn't sit still, I was wired. I took 2 sleeping tabs to make sure I got some sleep - and woke up 2 hours later. I dozed for a few hours, now I'm up and back to that irritated mood again.
I'm tired of feeling like this. I have no reason, life is great right now. I just wish my emotions would settle down or go away!

Life is great is great

My advice is to see your MD and complain about what you just said. My prediction is that he will first of all want you to start getting better sleep. I'm guessing that he will want you to stop taking sleep tabs.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Aiyana

Lately my emotions have been all over the place. For the last 2 weeks, the main emotion has been irritation. It's weird and annoying....I feel like I'm about to explode, I snap at the littlest things. Then the tears come, for no reason at all. I can't concentrate on doing anything for very long.
Then yesterday I woke up (after not much sleep) in the best mood, I was happy, I got so much done....it was nice to not be so grumpy but it was tiring. I couldn't sit still, I was wired. I took 2 sleeping tabs to make sure I got some sleep - and woke up 2 hours later. I dozed for a few hours, now I'm up and back to that irritated mood again.
I'm tired of feeling like this. I have no reason, life is great right now. I just wish my emotions would settle down or go away!

Are you bipolar by any chance? Because it just sounds like it. Erratic sleep, mood fluctuations, sleeping tabs not producing sleep of sufficient duration, trouble concentrating.

I know we are not supposed to diagnose on here, but yours is such a textbook description of bipolar that I cannot help raising the possibility that you are hypomanic atm. Irritable hypomania, no?

[Aiyana]

I haven't been diagnosed with anything. I did go see my GP and he said something about an anxiety disorder, so now I have an appointment to see a psychiatrist for assessment and diagnosis. Then he wants me to see a psychologist for CBT. The doctor gave me Valium while I wait for the psych appt and so far, that has made a huge difference in my mood. I'm not irritated any more, I don't snap at everyone. It is wonderful.

[SalaciousD]

Be careful with the Valium. It can lead to dependency or abuse. Just an FYI.
Glad to hear you are feeling better though.

[hamster-bamster]

Optimism Online - track your moods and states of anxiety - from now until the psychiatrist will see you. Then, print out your mood chart and discuss with the psychiatrist. Even if you only have anxiety without any mood disorder, tracking anxiety will be informative and might give you a clue as to what triggers you and what makes things better for you.

As SalaciousD said, Valium can cause dependency, and, speaking more generally, all drugs of the same class as Valium can, so non-pharmacological tools for reducing anxiety would be important for you - that you will see a CBT psychologist is great in this regard. CBT will equip you will skills.

[CapedCrusader]

Originally Posted by Aiyana

I'm tired of feeling like this. I have no reason, life is great right now. I just wish my emotions would settle down or go away!

Hello. It will take time. it's like taking meds. It won't work immediately. It may take for like an hour, a day, a month or even a year, but eventually it will subside. Cheers mate!

[vital]

Originally Posted by Aiyana

Lately my emotions have been all over the place. For the last 2 weeks, the main emotion has been irritation. It's weird and annoying....I feel like I'm about to explode, I snap at the littlest things. Then the tears come, for no reason at all. I can't concentrate on doing anything for very long.
Then yesterday I woke up (after not much sleep) in the best mood, I was happy, I got so much done....it was nice to not be so grumpy but it was tiring. I couldn't sit still, I was wired. I took 2 sleeping tabs to make sure I got some sleep - and woke up 2 hours later. I dozed for a few hours, now I'm up and back to that irritated mood again.
I'm tired of feeling like this. I have no reason, life is great right now. I just wish my emotions would settle down or go away!

Have you ever tried meditation?

[SoggySketti]

Well you did the right thing, you went to see you GP. I think that is great. I am glad the Valium is quelling some of your angst!

[Aiyana]

Well the Valium is not working so well any more. The irritation is back, not as bad, but it's noticeable and getting worse and definitely no more highs (I miss those, I got so much art finished, so productive and I loved feeling happy). Mostly these days I just feel tired and I get bored so easily. And I have another 2 months to wait for the appointment with the psych.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Aiyana

Well the Valium is not working so well any more. The irritation is back, not as bad, but it's noticeable and getting worse and definitely no more highs (I miss those, I got so much art finished, so productive and I loved feeling happy). Mostly these days I just feel tired and I get bored so easily. And I have another 2 months to wait for the appointment with the psych.

I think it is for the best - you won't become dependent on Valium.

Benzos are inconsistent in their performance. Not very reliable.

Since you are tired and it won't be until 2 months from now that you see the psychiatrist, why not see your GP for thyroid test and thorough blood work. Low thyroid, anemia are some of many physical reasons of being tired.

[Homeira]

Keep a mood diary. Google it, and you will find a lot of suggestions to how to do it. It will make it easier for you to discover if there is a pattern to your moodswings, and ups and downs. Also it will make it easier for a psychiatrist to help you if he knows a lot about your symptoms. Remember that psychiatrists only know what we tell them, and that is basically what he/she has to go on when making a diagnosis when it comes to MI.
Make sure you get enough water and eat properly. If it is a problem getting enough nutrition, take some supplements. Ask your doctor to take bloodtests to see if you have any deficiancies in vitamins. If you have that, it will make everything worse. Also try to get some fresh air every day. Only ten minutes if that is all you can manage. These things help me when I am going through severe ups or downs. I am bi-polar. I think you are doing a great thing for yourself by getting professional help!

[hamster-bamster]

There is a Dutch site with an English interface, called Optimism Online. To me it is the best mood tracker because of the various customization options available. And it has a place for anxiety.

Many moodtrackers are just up/down/baseline, without a separate tracker for anxiety, and I do not find it helpful at all.

[Aiyana]

Thanks, I will have a look at it.

[cool09]

There are medications for irritability like anti-depressants. Irritability is my main problem, as well: it is always lingering ready to jump out at any minute. One of the best things is to get out of your head (easier said than done): exercise (which also relaxes your mind/body), read a book, get immersed in a project, etc. Good luck.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by cool09

There are medications for irritability like anti-depressants. Irritability is my main problem, as well:

Really?? With your username, you are irritable? Was the username chosen in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, or, to set a goal for yourself?

[Aiyana]

Today was going so well - or so I thought. My family were telling me how improved my mood was today. Then tonight, they tell me to 'get over it' or GTFO til I do. The strange thing was that I felt so good today, this was so unexpected.
Then I get home (I usually Skype with my BF as long distance relationship at the moment) and message my BF what happened (who knows my moods so well) and all I get is 'everything will be ok, I love you. Then he logs off. EDIT: he didn't log off, his internet dropped. He came back quickly and called me. He was his usual supportive self, I am very thankful to have him in my life.

Really not my day today.

[SpeakBlessings]

Originally Posted by Aiyana

Lately my emotions have been all over the place. For the last 2 weeks, the main emotion has been irritation. It's weird and annoying....I feel like I'm about to explode, I snap at the littlest things. Then the tears come, for no reason at all. I can't concentrate on doing anything for very long.
Then yesterday I woke up (after not much sleep) in the best mood, I was happy, I got so much done....it was nice to not be so grumpy but it was tiring. I couldn't sit still, I was wired. I took 2 sleeping tabs to make sure I got some sleep - and woke up 2 hours later. I dozed for a few hours, now I'm up and back to that irritated mood again.
I'm tired of feeling like this. I have no reason, life is great right now. I just wish my emotions would settle down or go away!

Aw I'm sorry! I know exactly how that feels, it's miserable not being in control of your emotions. I have depression and anxiety and I struggle really bad with irritability and and mood swings. I can be total normal and then super agitated for no reason. I have been trying to work on recognizing my triggers and what causes me to get annoyed instantly. It's tough. If you ever need to talk I'm here.