Posted by ernie296 on July 16, 2003, at 13:38:39
Ok, so I think that it is way more than possible that I have this disorder, but what do I do about it? I am pretty sure that I went through a fullblown bipolar period about three years ago, but other than that six month period of time, it has been milder ups and downs. I honestly do think they have interfered with my life, but I feel exteremely reluctant about seeking a medicinal approach. My downs are more grumpiness and not wanting to clean up the house. My ups are...well, up. I do not drink or do drugs of any kind and have been in a consistent relationship for the last twenty years. I do have problems with insomnia and have previously blamed the not sleeping for the mood problems, but it could be the other way around. My most noticeable symptoms are shopping too much, periods of what I would consider mild depression (never really thought about suicide, but had days where I just wish I wasn't 'here'), and then periods where I get three rooms in the house painted in a weekend. I also have periods of time when I am really jazzed about something and want to do it obsessively and then I will lose interest.Stuff like scrapbooking or horseback riding or gardening. Due to this I have a gorgeous garden that is now overgrown with weeds, a gorgeous 3 year TB colt that has some good undersaddle basics but I can't seem to get around to riding these days and a fortune in scrapbooking materials and the start of a fantastic scrapbook that I haven't added anything to in three months. I want to stick to something. I want to stop spending money I really shouldn't on things I really don't need. But is there a pill that is going to help with that? Does anybody have any experience with dealing with cyclothymia without meds? Does recognition of the problem help you to control it?
BTW, this may be totally random, but I did seem to notice that when I was on the Atkins diet, my moods leveled off. Was that wishful thinking or possibly part of the cycling or is there any evidence that milder moodswings can be helped with dietary changes?
Any information or support is truly appreciated. I am 39 years old and I really want to feel that I have some control over my life. Thank you.
poster:ernie296
thread:242543
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030711/msgs/242543.html