The beauty and the nightmare of mood disorders is that you never stay on the same mood. Since I have bipolaMood Disorders as a Beautyr I with psychotic features, my moods really fluctuate. I also experience mixed episodes where both manic and depression symptoms occuring at the same time as well as rapid cycling where I cycle through mania and depression in quick succession.
Mood Disorders as a Beauty
I mention that mood disorders are a “beauty”. I say this because when I am manic, I am my most creative, most social and most loving. My brain is on fire with ideas to write about and people with whom I want to share my knowledge. I can write for hours! I am able to talk to people around me at work instead of throwing up brick walls and hiding. I also can go to church without fear of a panic attack or the paranoia that eats me alive. It is beautiful to be able to love freely and not feel fear. Who would not want a boost in loving people?
Mood Disorders as a Nightmare
But mood disorders can be a nightmare, too. When I lose my creativity, I lose my enthusiasm and love for writing. My brain goes blank and I feel empty of words on the inside. It is as if there is a black hole in my brain sucking up all the ideas and words. Mood disorders can be a nightmare for me when I am not able to function socially. I hide in my cube at work. I grow invisible and try not to speak with anyone. The feeling of having a panic attack in the church’s parking lot becomes real. I walk through the Worship Center corridor and I feel eyes starring holes in my body. I cannot get away from everybody looking at me. When I am unable to love freely, I am afraid of rejection.
Positive Ways to Work with Mood Disorders
- Find a therapist or a psychologist with whom you trust that will listen to you, who is knowledgeable of mood disorders and can give you ways to work through your mood disorder.
- Find a competent psychiatrist, one who knows your mood disorder and is familiar with the most up-to-date psychotropic meds.
- It may take a while to find a therapist or a psychiatrist. Be patient. It took me nine years to find the best fit for me.
- Take your medicine as prescribed.
- Stay away from drugs and alcohol.
- Do the homework the therapist gives you to do.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Get plenty of exercise.
- Enjoy nature.
- Use a mood journal.
This is not an exhaustive list. Below are some website with more information on mood disorders.
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_statistics_mood_disorders
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_mood_disorders
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mood-disorders/basics/definition/con-20035907