Successful ways to control low moods and depression??

[MR_WHY]

My meds are really work on mania, hypomania, & high moods in mixed episodes. After I tried Pristiq, it really work on severe depression like black clouds and severe worry.

The problem I still feel low moods depression most of the time. Not severe depression but it affect on the quality of my life. Pristiq is prevent the very very very low moods and depression successfully but not work on lower mood until now which still affect on me negatively and feel bad.

Headache and concentration and memory problems are still.

So, now what I can do to control the remaining symptoms? Any advice?

[MR_WHY]

I find it difficult to commit to anything. Is commit possible while symptoms not under control? How?

[Bubulous]

Commit...
That is one of the things that you must do mr why.  I am not telling you anything that I haven't been through.  I am not a psychiatrist or a psychologist.  I am a person who has been fighting the symptoms of bipolar for about 20 or 21 years.
I know exercise does not help at first but doing it and doing it at the same time everyday helps to establish a routine.  I like to do it in the morning because it gives me something to wake up for and it also helps my body expect it in the morning which makes it produce more energy in that time.
I do not mean to make it sound simple because it isn't and I know that.  You are special in certain aspects.  We are all unique in our fight.  We have different beliefs and support systems which makes it complicated to make a system of producing healthy, happy bipolar persons.
I also don't like unexpected circumstances.  I try not to make expectations because I do not deal well with disappointment very well.  That is why I try to have a routine.   The routine is not always perfect and sometimes things go wrong but as long as I have something to look forward to I can handle it better.
Education will help but practice and persistence are just as important.  We can do this, because if we don't take care of ourselves- who will?

[MR_WHY]

It's not easy lo learn how to live with BP as u know.
How do I start? from where? I'm little confused.

I'm also have another problem. I loss motivation after while. So, I don't continue any work.
For example, I didn't continue exercise because I didn't enjoy it and my symptoms increased. I have to try exercise but in my case the symptoms become worse. What should I do?

When I feel little better I try read more and educate myself more about BP but it difficult to apply everything that I read.

Last point, I don't know if this problem only special for me or not. I have difficulties to handle life or family pressures. I don't deal well with unexpected problems. Also, I don't like surprise because it trigger the symptoms.

[Bubulous]

Crystal is spot on Mrwhy and I am saying that to make it seem like we are ganging up on you but I want to let you know that both of us agree on this.  There is a saying that goes something like "if you do not remember the past, you are doomed to repeat it."  That is it.  Crystal and I have traveled this road and if you will accept what she has said as the truth, than there may be more that we can do for you.  We will be here either way but I don't want to see you go through what I have gone through.  It is not necessary and it just slows down the healing while taking years off your life.
Hope it gets better.
Larry

[Bubulous]

Crystal is spot on Mrwhy and I am saying that to make it seem like we are ganging up on you but I want to let you know that both of us agree on this.  There is a saying that goes something like "if you do not remember the past, you are doomed to repeat it."  That is it.  Crystal and I have traveled this road and if you will accept what she has said as the truth, than there may be more that we can do for you.  We will be here either way but I don't want to see you go through what I have gone through.  It is not necessary and it just slows down the healing while taking years off your life.
Hope it gets better.
Larry

[Crystal413]

Headaches, concentration and memory problems are often side effects of medication.

There are no quick fixes for Bipolar. Some meds don't even help some people. Even on meds you will still have these Bipolar symptoms maybe just not as severe. Many people go thru many meds taking years to find the right mix of meds,  but they still won't make all the Bipolar symptoms completely go away. The meds will not completely take them away. I can't stress this enough. That is a fact about Bipolar. I'm sorry this is probably not what you want to hear but this is the reality of it. Having Bipolar is not just about meds, it also involves lifestyle changes and choices as I mentioned to you before. I've mentioned this before in a previous post as well, it's important to get the bloodwork done I wrote to you about before. I'm not just blowing smoke. You have to help yourself too. Meds don't work alone.

Remember, meds take time to work, give them a chance if you can. Some side effects from meds will eventually go away after your body gets use to the meds others may not and if you can't tolerate the side effects then you change meds.

I hope you feel better soon.

[MR_WHY]

Thank u for all your help. It's not easy to accept all these facts. It may need time and more understand for BP. I try educate myself more about BP. My headache, memory, and concentration problem start when BP started. May meds only increased it sometimes.

[Bubulous]

Sorry to hear that.  I hope things stabilize for you one day soon.

[MR_WHY]

Since yesterday, I didn't have mixed episodes just I have depression. My depression become worse than before I had mixed episodes. Also, I become little nervous and irritable.

[Bubulous]

Mood is how you feel and that is based sometimes within and sometimes without.  A low mood or feeling low is typical for everyone at some  point but most people can get away from it.  Being in a low mood for long enough or over a long enough period may cause depression or memory problems.  I wouldn't say there is a low depression.  Once you fall into the depression spectrum you can go from moderate to severe and also travel through the bipolar spectrum.

[MR_WHY]

Thanks for your explaination

[MR_WHY]

What are the differences between low depression and low moods?

[Bubulous]

Mr why you are likely going to have to give it some time.  Some answers will come to you once you stop worrying so much.  I am only saying this bluntly because I have watched as you g through this transition and to hear your depression is gone is great but you wonder now about low moods.  Well I am afraid to say that a low mood after how you were feeling before is a great thing.  Unless you have left something out or I am missing something you should maybe start training your mind and in a little time.
As to your second post, you say that mixed episodes have returned and the depression is worse.  I want to think that this was brought on by one of  a few things:
Either you worried too much about being low, believing that you would not get better, something has happened in your routine, or something has triggered it from work.
However this is just an analysis based on what I can remember of your story so I will do some research tonight and go over your posts.  I will have a better idea by then.

[MR_WHY]

Hello, thanks for your answer. I think there are triggers for mixed episodes and high moods have returned. I have difficulties to control it. I try sleep more because I read that it help to control mania and hypomania. Because mixed episodes have returned, depression become worse.

[MR_WHY]

Returned mixed episodes and my depression become worse. What to do?