I wanted to talk about depression and bipolar disorder, and things I've tried to deal with it. I was diagnosed with severe clinical depression and borderline bipolar disorder at 14, and now have full-on bipolar II disorder.
Here are the things I've tried in order to deal with my mental health problems: •keeping a journal. I started keeping a journal at 11 just because, but at 13-14, my school counselor advised I keep one to talk about deeper things than the events of the day. Getting my thoughts down on paper stopped them from racing around my mind. •talking to a counselor/psychologist. I talked to a psychologist after my accident and she helped tremendously. •medication. I was on Lexapro for about 2 years and it worked well. •having a few glasses of wine. Sometimes 2-3 glasses can take the edge off, but now, that is a rare occasion because I can't drink if I take a Percocet. •distraction. I've been busting my butt making hemp jewelry, and man, are the necklaces going like crazy! It keeps me distracted and making people a piece of jewelry that they absolutely love gives me a great sense of accomplishment. Music is good too, especially when too much is going on around me. •talking to you guys. I know most of you don't read my long drawn out posts, but at least I know I can come here and it is a safe place.
Knight..you should be very proud of yourself and the inner strength you have in dealing with the depression and disorder. Your jewelry looks great..you have a natural talent there!
Always feel safe to share your thoughts and feelings with us, you will never be judged or criticised..and thankyou for sharing your strategies that help you. Im sure they will benefit someone who reads your post and experiences similar.
Knight as the others have mentioned, your honesty an openness is great and we all love reading your posts! Post as much as you want and as long as you want, we're all here for eachother!
I've also struggled with mental health for a long time. PTSD is a main one which I mentioned recently here. I had depression from a young age as well, some therapy at 15 for severe depression that was caused by the environmental situation I was in. I left at 17 which helped a lot. I had many misdiagnoses which affected my treatment, like a lot of things were treated as depression when they were actually anxiety. I was diagnosed as bipolar, and the way I was medicated changed. I still didn't respond well to meds though and had some severe ups and downs. I've been off psychiatric medications since late 2009, with no severe manic, depressive, or mixed episodes. So I personally believe in my case the medications worsened the underlying condition. I do also make sure to stay aware of the possibility that I may just be in a long remission of sorts, and know I need to stay aware and at least periodically work with mental health professionals if I'm not in active treatment. I'm currently looking to get back into active treatment due to the PTSD.
I'd be cautious with the alcohol, for anyone with mental health issues. Its so easy to self medicate and end up with a substance abuse problem comorbid to the underlying mental health issues. There is a lot of addiction in my family with other mental health issues, personally I hate the taste of most drinks and after growing up with alcoholics I mostly stayed away from the stuff. I would have a couple drinks socially to help with social anxiety, but no longer drink at all since I've been in a pain management program.
Your suggestions are really good but also good to remember that everyone is different, and what works for one person might not work for the next so no one should ever get down on themselves if something isn't working. Like I'm horrible at journaling, its something that helps my best friend a lot but I've always been lousy and it doesn't matter how many times therapists suggest it, it just never works out lol.
You bring up a good point about the drinking alcohol as a way to help with metal illness lin. That has the potential to lead to a huge problem. My cousin started drinking due to depression and she has permanent liver damage now and is quite sick most of the time.
She no longer drinks but she will never recover.
We have some useful information posts on the forum in regards to depression that starts with this poll chick here
Thats great, thanks for sharing Knight! It probably took some cojones to spill it out but I bet you feel much better now. So I have to agree with everyone else here. And one more thing - dont worry about people not reading your long posts, are you kidding, you are hilarious! I love them, just bring it on, either here or via video!
You bring up a good point about the drinking alcohol as a way to help with metal illness lin. That has the potential to lead to a huge problem. My cousin started drinking due to depression and she has permanent liver damage now and is quite sick most of the time.
She no longer drinks but she will never recover.
We have some useful information posts on the forum in regards to depression that starts with this poll chick here
That's why I said 2-3 glasses of wine. I rarely RARELY drink anymore, maybe once a month I'll have one or two drinks because I had a hypomanic episode that lasted about 3-4 months wherein alcohol caused a ton of consequences, but during a hypomanic episode, care for consequences is zilch.
Which brings me to my next question here: should I try an anti-depressant or a mood stabilizer? I fear slipping into another hypomanic episode after I heal, and I don't want to suffer the consequences I did last time I had one.
Which brings me to my next question here: should I try an anti-depressant or a mood stabilizer? I fear slipping into another hypomanic episode after I heal, and I don't want to suffer the consequences I did last time I had one.
Which brings me to my next question here: should I try an anti-depressant or a mood stabilizer? I fear slipping into another hypomanic episode after I heal, and I don't want to suffer the consequences I did last time I had one.
Hell No! Drugs can't fix what you are dealing with. I know. Try a few natural supplements and get plenty of sun light. Vitamin A is your best friend right now and it is free from the sun.
I take Prenatal Vitamins every day, which are chalk full of Vitamin A, D, Iron, and pretty much everything else. I've ignored my Bipolar II Disorder for years now, and it's taking a toll on my whole family, and myself. The only thing keeping me from losing it completely right now is the Valium. I don't cherish the memories of my last hypomanic episode, and don't want to risk another one, because the next time, I could die.
Which brings me to my next question here: should I try an anti-depressant or a mood stabilizer? I fear slipping into another hypomanic episode after I heal, and I don't want to suffer the consequences I did last time I had one.
Hell No! Drugs can't fix what you are dealing with. I know. Try a few natural supplements and get plenty of sun light. Vitamin A is your best friend right now and it is free from the sun.
Plus, all the natural supplements I've looked up that would work for depression and mood swings cancel out the effectiveness of birth control. I would rather not bleed 24/7.