Mood Swings

[BD63085]

I was wondering how anyone else deals with their mood swings.  After 8 years of taking many different medications, my doctor now has me on perphenazine.  I still have problems with mood swings.  Does anyone have any advice or suggestions about how to handle mood swings?  Can they be tamed?

[BD63085]

It gets so hard to concentrate on the music sometimes, but it really does help.  I agree with you concerning the walks in the winter; I am not going to do it either.
I will try singing to the music.  The words of the song really make a Gigantic difference, don't they?  Thank you very much for your suggestion. :D

[jessierabbit]

Music is the best.... I always have the radio going at work...through streaming - its funny it was down for 2 days, and as I read this I realised just what a difference it makes to my stress levels.

If had a 'high' which for me, basically means a LOT of energy that I HAVE to get out of my system or it takes on a life of itws own.  Anyway walks are great, exercise - but lets face it, at night, or in bad weather, it just aint practical!!
So my psych suggested putting on my fave party dress, put on music and dance around and sing.  ok so I didn't put on the party dress, but I did the music and belted out a tune...try  it!  

[BD63085]

Thank you very much!  My counselor suggested (a long time ago) that I try to take walks; they help me some of the time.  I guess what brought up the whole subject is the fact that winter is coming.  It is one of the hardest times of the year for me.  I will try my best to cope and keep searching for new songs as well.  Thank you.

[BD63085]

Thank you very much for the list of songs.  I will listen to them as well.  I have a tendency to listen to song after song (CD to CD) until I get tired.  Again, thank you.

[wj74]

Music helps me too, although I need to make a playlist. I usually go through my mp3 or the radio a few times to find something that won't make me want to scream. LOL I am on Abilify and it's working well I think. Exercise helps when I'm too "up". Haven't found much that helps when I'm down, except sometimes having someone to talk to as a distraction.

[HEADROOM]

Hi bd63085, I hope the music is working. I don't know if you have an ipod or something but what I did when I was feeling good, was when listening to music at work and found that something made my foot tap I made a note of it and put in in my playlist of '5 tunes to bring you up' (These below might not suit you, but you can choose your own carefully, it really has to be tunes that get you going)
The Best - Tina Turner
I don't feel like dancing - The Scissor Sisters
Love today - Mika
Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs
You Sexy Thing - Hot chocolate
Oh and one more for luck and fun ........Oh I do like to be beside the seaside.
I am playing it now and it is bringing a smile to my face on this cold, wet, windy day.
All the best. Headroom.

[BD63085]

Thank you.  I have been trying music, but I get tired of listening really fast. I have been trying different methods of taming my mood swings after trying so many things.  So far I have been on lithium, depakote, wellbutrin, geodon, zyprexa, risperdal, and haldol.  This is the best medication I have been on so far (last year I considered having a baby, so my doctor suggested perphenazine because it is "safer") because I have had terrible side effects with everything else.  I will take your advice and keep listening; I am listening right now. :D

[HEADROOM]

I take Liithium and use music to help my mood swings caused by my illness. I have half a dozen tunes of music that will set my foot tapping when feeling down and make me feel better. (it took quite a while to pick them) Mood swings caused by real events I find more difficult as I keep trying to find solutions for the impossible.

[ILADVOCATE]

What you are taking is an older (typical) antipsychotic. The newer atypical antipsychotics from Risperdal to Abilify have far more of a mood stabilization effect and a safer side effect profile. And of course there are medications that are primarily used as mood stabilizers such as lithium, Depakoate and Lamictal. Ask your psychiatrist about other available options if that one doesn't work. Here is a full list:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htm