Mood Disorders

mood disorders

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

  1. 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.
  2. Find a competent psychiatrist, one who knows your mood disorder and is familiar with the most up-to-date psychotropic meds.
  3. 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.
  4. Take your medicine as prescribed.
  5. Stay away from drugs and alcohol.
  6. Do the homework the therapist gives you to do.
  7. Drink plenty of water.
  8. Get plenty of exercise.
  9. Enjoy nature.
  10. 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.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/mental_health_disorders/overview_of_mood_disorders_85,P00759/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mood-disorders/basics/definition/con-20035907

 

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