Hi just joined this forum - looking for support and to share my experiences if that helps anyone. Was diagnosed with cyclothymia and ptsd earlier this year after years of ‘coping’ with the help of a very good, persistent gp, psychiatrist and psychotherapist. Unfortunately I’m extremely drug resistant I’ve discovered after being put on anti depressants which completely de-stabilised me, then queitapine which gave me neuroleptic malignant syndrome, then depakote which sent my ALT levels sky rocketing so was taken off that immediately. As someone who has bottled up their feelings for years and not taken any medication at all, am pretty rubbish with even pain killers, i am now trying to move forward with psychotherapy, healthy eating, exercise and various supplements like omega 3 oils, vit d etc. The breaking point at which i eventually went to the doctor is when i found myself in the middle of the night standing by the fast flowing river which flows through our town and thinking ‘that looks peaceful to lie in’ i suffer terribly from night terrors and flashbacks so night has always been a difficult time for me. Anyway, i do believe i can get better or at least make my condition manageable, but if anyone wants to chat just know I’ve been to the very darkest of places and i have every empathy if you are having a difficult time. Just know, that whatever it is you go through, or have gone through, you can try and choose to feel very bitter and angry which is completely human and valid, but also try to feel compassion for yourself and those around you. Most people are good intrinsically, its just the nasty psychopathic ones which grab the most attention from the damage they do.
Hi I’m new here - wanted to say hello. - Mental Health Sup...
Hi I’m new here - wanted to say hello.
Hello nell3967, a very warm welcome to you for joining us on this forum which is a very safe and caring place to express how you are feeling. I think your story and how you have persevered to overcome and learn to cope with your illness, will help a lot of our community members, to know and believe that there is hope out there and it is reachable and achievable with the right support. I am so glad that your health professional team are doing so much to help you through some really tough times and dark days and nights from what you have told us. You are very kind and courageous to come on here and tell your story, so that you can help others and encourage them to seek help and to believe that things can and do improve over time. It is having that belief that your life can improve and that you value yourself and your life, to try and make changes and become happier and better able to cope . Thank you so much for sharing this with us and I am sure you will receive lots of supportive replies. Keep us informed of how you are doing and I wish you better and the very very best.........thank you.....best wishes......
Thank you for your reply, i will keep in touch and let everyone know how i get along, warts and all. It can be a very lonely journey if you are trying to manage your illness whilst raising a family, working, being a friend, wife, colleague etc and all the roles we have to do in life. My first obstacle is getting my ALT levels down to normal after an adverse reaction to the depakote, so am concentrating on that for the next few weeks as well as i can. I wonder if any other members have cyclothymia? I hadn’t even heard of it until my diagnosis, but it is spot on. I would love to hear from anyone who has and how they manage it. Thanks.