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bi polar mixed moods?

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Posted 12/10/2013 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
This subject is concerning mixed moods.

There are days were i feel more up (manic) i suppose.

There are days were i can feel more down (depressed).

At times  i will get cycles were i feel, well, both.

I can feel ok,normal or a little high and then i can feel my mood start to slowly shift downward or sometimes sort of rapidly. The down can get to the point were i feel like im going to start crying and then a bucnh of things im sensitive about race into my mind. Then a while later or shortly after i can be back to normal or feel a little high.

Sometimes i feel like im caught in a tug o war. Not sure which way my mood is going to shift.

Over all, id say i'm stable compared to where i was a few years ago and go for longer periods of time without a major relapse. i'm not taking any meds by the way so i fell very blessed.

please share or comment on this.

thank you!

 

Posted 12/10/2013 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
mixed moods I have found aren't something easily managed by medication anyway. antidepressants and mood stabilisers generally target what ever symptoms they feel like at the time. nevertheless the combo can bring more stability in some people, especially for people who suffer from anxiety disorders. conditions such as ptsd can be managed with specific antidepressants and sometimes benzos and antihystamines... and I imagine there are other drugs that work well in this way. see anxiety conditions deplete the nervous system and can trigger bipolar symptoms. the body naturally seeks a balance so generally the state will have similar intensity of each end of the spectrum. it is usually just the size of the swings that can very. some bipolar suffers can have more depression or more mania... what state is prevalent will suggest whether a very low dose of antidepressants can be of benefit or whether just a mood stabiliser alone will be sufficient. Changes in types of medication and doses overtime can generally target and minimise mixed states for most people. Of course lifestyle changes and cognitive discipline can also impact on bipolar states. Sleep, nutrition, hydration, meditation/peace of mind, exercise, pleasant events, social connection, touch, hobbies and physical health for example, can all change the brain chemistry. It's not all about exogenous drug types and dosage :). Sounds like you are making those lifestyle and cognitive approaches work for you to get away without medication. Usually medication doesn't just manage symptoms, it often stems the progression of the illness. So that is something just to keep in mind if you find that your symptoms begin to worsen over a period of time. You get my mind thinking. I like that. Thanks.
Posted 12/11/2013 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you livingwell for you input.

i very much appriteate it!

I did take ssri's for a while for the depressive symptoms, this only made matters worse and didnt help with stability.

I was put on lamictal for awhile, did nothing but give me headaches and weight gain.

ive been off meds for two years, so far, so good.

As you mentioned, i did have some lifestyle changes and i believe they have helped. At least enough to keep more stable.

also, you mentioned anxiety.

I do have a history of anxiety disorder and panic attacks as well, but this has been well managed also with out medications.

thanks again! :-)

Posted 12/12/2013 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
glad I could help validate things for you. you seem to be on the right track for you.
I've run the gauntlet with meds myself but I've trialled about 20 or more. I have liver and kidney issue that cause glycine encephalopathy. GC create my bipolar like symptoms and I can't metabolise bipolar meds and they make my symptoms worse and give me seizures, paralysis and dystonia on top.
So if you do find that you are getting worse, do remember there are LOADS of meds to trial, and it might take away any despair you may feel in those rough patches. I wish you the very best.. Merry Christmas xo
Posted 12/12/2013 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hopefully i wont need to rely on meds in the future but God willing I will if necessary.

Thank you and Merry Christmas to you too!

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