Bipolar depression / daily struggle

[Southpaw1970]

Extreme mood swings one of my biggest issues. Does anyone have these? Appreciate all the support and replies. Take care

[linuxusr]

I would love to help you but bipolar depression is not my diagnosis, so it's hard to help with something I don't understand. I'm sure someone here who can be of more help than I, will respond to you in due time. Meanwhile, the only thing I can think about is this: For severe and intolerable depression, a grounding exercise helps a little. In my experience, it helps a little, not a lot, but a little is better than nothing. You have to grab on whatever help is available. Do you want more information on grounding exercises, or do you already know about that? Also, assuming that you are under psychiatric care (again, this is an assumption), have you contacted your GP?

[Southpaw1970 in reply to linuxusr]

Hi there, I'm definitely interested in Grounding exercises, I have not researched it. I'm open to all suggestions, advice for sure. I appreciate your help. My appointment is in a few days for medicine adjustment / session.

[linuxusr in reply to Southpaw1970]

Here's one that's helped me a little for severe depression. Again, I stress that it's not a panacea but it may give you a little relief. One thing it does is to distract you and get you "out of your head." I mean, that's where the pain is, right? So here it is: As a mnemonic, think of the five senses and the numbers 5,4,3,2, and 1. Describe the details of FIVE different things that you can SEE; Describe FOUR things that you can HEAR; TOUCH and feel the sensations of THREE things (could be parts of your body or clothing); describe TWO things that you can SMELL; describe ONE thing that you can TASTE. Some pointers: 1. I find it helpful to speak out loud when I'm making my descriptions, 2. Personally, I find it boring to start with FIVE--a lot of work! So I start with ONE and work my way up. Let me know if this helps. If not, I'll try to figure something else out. Good! Your session is around the corner! If it's urgent, you can't get an earlier one?

[MorningDanceTrece in reply to linuxusr]

I've been hearing that number thing for years and with all due respect I don't understand how anyone can possibly remember that when they're in the middle of being severely dysregulated.

I can't remember it and keep it straight when I'm not dysregulated.

It just makes me more frustrated and upset than I was in the first place.

Does anyone actually find it possible to do that?

[linuxusr in reply to MorningDanceTrece]

Hello MorningDanceTrece: I agree with you. I can't do it either. The problem with being severely depressed is not so much the ability to think but the ability to remember. So I solve this problem by writing the steps on my Emergency Notepad. I do this when I am not depressed. I also write steps for other strategies. I keep my Emergency Notepad out at an obvious place--not in a place where I couldn't remember where I put it! I find that when I am severely depressed I can successfully follow the steps just by looking at the notepad. "Necessity is the mother of invention."

[MorningDanceTrece in reply to linuxusr]

Thanks 👍🏻

[linuxusr in reply to MorningDanceTrece]

You are most welcome!

[Southpaw1970]

Grounding Exercises are awesome and effective for me Thank you for sending these. It distracted me so I can regroup my thoughts. I got appointment for tomorrow afternoon so I'm happy about that!

[MorningDanceTrece]

I used to have extreme mood swings all the time like every day throughout the day. I take a mood stabilizer for the bipolar.

I've also done a bus load of therapy and recovery programs have helped too especially SMART RECOVERY.

I'm in autistic person with ADHD or AuDHDer.

Both of those medical conditions cause mood swings.

Not fun.

[Southpaw1970 in reply to MorningDanceTrece]

No fun at all. Therapist, meds, peer support, group sessions, books I have been working at getting better. I'm looking up SMART RECOVERY now. Thank you for helping me

[MorningDanceTrece in reply to Southpaw1970]

SMART RECOVERY helps people with alcohol use disorder, substance use disorder, plethora of addictions & any kind of maladaptive behaviors, and mental & emotional health issues.

[linuxusr in reply to MorningDanceTrece]

You are suffering terribly, MorningDanceTrece, and I'm so sorry. But it's wonder that you've worked so hard to improve and get at least some relief from suffering. So keep on doing that! If we give into our suffering, it's over!

[RS1974]

Talk to your psychiatrist about starting you on mood stabilizers and antidepressants. And of course therapy. Find a good one you trust.

Good luck 👍