To keep this thread helpful for others also, here are a couple natural/herbal anti-depressants that I can think of off the top of my head: St. John's Wort and Sam-e. Chamomile is calming, and can help you relax.
Since they started me on the Valium and it helped regulate my mood, my creativity has come back. After 2 YEARS of no drawing, no painting, hardly any writing, and no jewelry-making, it's come back. I cannot sit back any longer and watch my mood swings destroy my relationships with my family members, including my son. I've never been able to maintain a healthy relationship in my entire life so far, and my motivation has been gone completely since my injury. Now things are coming back after all this time, like a fog clearing. I don't understand it, but I've hit that point in my life where I realize I can't do this alone, and I don't have to. I can still be independent, and all I have to do is switch one medication. Without finding something effective, I will continue down my destructive path and never find happiness or serenity.
What type of medication you use is going to be highly personal and needs to be discussed with your psychiatrist. That said, generally with bipolar anti depressants should not be used without a mood stabilizer in addition due to them causing manic and hypomanic episodes. And medications can definitely trigger full blown manic episodes in those with bipolar II, so something to be aware of (something I've experienced.)
These type of medications can take time to take effect, but they also can cause rather rapid mood swings in those with bipolar as well. During my worst I would be hospitalized during medication changes to ensure I was not a danger to myself due to a severe depressive or full blown manic episode in response to medication.
In my history, I've reacted badly to many more medications than I've reacted well to, and have stayed stable for approx 4 years with no psychiatric medication. I stay aware though that it may just be that my bipolar is in remission, and I could require medication if I was to slip. I've also come to realize that for me I was started on medication too young, and too heavily, and that combined with my natural issues with medications either not working or causing serious side effects contributed to episodes I wouldn't have experienced otherwise. How long have you been off psych meds? For me it took 6 months to normalize, and again I'm a strange abnormal case lol. If its been more than 6 months I'd say you're probably as stable as you will be without medication and if you are in need of medication, definitely discuss it with your psychiatrist. The more detail the better, with considering all other psych meds you've been on and what your reaction to them was. Then start slowly on the medication, and once you're out of the hospital if you start the meds before, best would be to meet with a therapist regularly to make sure the medication is helping and not hurting, and facilitate quick changes with your psychiatrist if needed.
Never feel ashamed for needing medications, a diabetic should never feel ashamed to require insulin. Equally, some diabetics can manage their disorder with diet, some with pills, some with shots and so what someone with bipolar needs can equally vary and you must remember you're an individual and what others advise may not be applicable or best for you.
I really hope the results from vallium last you a lifetime! To me that would be worth all of the addiction risks hands down.
The Valium worked great for my spasms and my mood swings when I took it three times a day, but of course, doctors don't want you or your body to get addicted to anything. They were all pi**y because Dilaudid and 5mg Percocets did absolutely nothing after this last surgery. I wanted to smack my surgeon when I told him to send me home with morphine tablets and he tried to tell me they didn't exist! I tried a Fentanyl patch while I was in the hospital and if just kept making me puke. I don't see why it is OK for my body to be addicted to opiates but it's not OK for it to be addicted to something that kills 2 birds with one stone.
...get plenty of sun light. Vitamin A is your best friend right now and it is free from the sun.
truwrecks, I think you may be thinking of Vitamin D?
Nope! Vitamin A + Sunshine (UVB) and your body will make Vitamin D on it's own. Technically you don't need Vitamin A to d that but it helps counter losses in the skin during Vitamin D production. That's what one of my doctors was telling me.
I will be calling a psychiatrist next week since I know my team of regular doctors isn't educated enough to properly diagnose and treat my mental issues. I know all of us will feel more comfortable having someone more qualified helping me. I tried Lexapro and it made me sick, so it is time to try something new. I'm really making an effort to get treatment because I know what is going to happen once I get out of my depressive state if I remain untreated; I will slip into a hypomanic state and go back to drinking heavily and putting myself in bad situations. I can feel it. I am noticing cravings for a drink more often, and I don't want to slip back into that again because I feel as though I have met Mr. Right, and I really don't want to mess this up!
Knight I'm glad to hear that you're seeing professional help, I'd hate to see something happen to you! Let us know if/when you've booked an appointment!
oh wow! How much has changed since I started this thread!!! I've been practicing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to learn and re-learn what are & aren't appropriate reactions; when, where, & how to begin a debate; control my emotions; focus on how to use anger constructively; crisis management; and so much more. I could go all day on just Mindfulness, which can be used separately from the rest of the DBT sections.
*proud sigh*
DBT and Randall, my cat- (aka #BlackRandall)- have changed my whole outlook on life.
oh wow! How much has changed since I started this thread!!! I've been practicing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to learn and re-learn what are & aren't appropriate reactions; when, where, & how to begin a debate; control my emotions; focus on how to use anger constructively; crisis management; and so much more. I could go all day on just Mindfulness, which can be used separately from the rest of the DBT sections.
*proud sigh*
DBT and Randall, my cat- (aka #BlackRandall)- have changed my whole outlook on life.
That's awesome news Knight I'm happy to hear that! Great work!
Share away Knight! You are a fascinating person and a welcome addition here. Never let anyone change who you are!
Hi knight. I hope you are still making jewelry.
I see the truwrecks hasn't been active since june 2015. Does anybody know how he's doing? Was anyone in contact with him? I wasn't a forum member until recently. He sounded like an interesting fellow. Thanks.
Share away Knight! You are a fascinating person and a welcome addition here. Never let anyone change who you are!
Hi knight. I hope you are still making jewelry.
I see the truwrecks hasn't been active since june 2015. Does anybody know how he's doing? Was anyone in contact with him? I wasn't a forum member until recently. He sounded like an interesting fellow. Thanks.