emotions without drugs

[akitagurl12]

i am just wondering, can someone share with me how they deal with strong emotions that come up without using drugs?  I am not on anything anymore and am really second guessing my decision to stop the antidepressant now.  What are emotions & are there any real way to deal with them without surpressing them without some sort of drug?  If not then I will just go back on the A/D.  If thats the only way.  Therapy, talking in groups and all that may help in the moment, but this is something that overwhelms me and talking isn't enough.  Is this normal or is this why I have been told I have a chemical imbalance?  

[ImDONENoMore]

akita it's impossible to go back. We get better.  We move on.  We change.  We learn.  We grow (hopefully).  But return to the past?  Not possible.

The good news?  You can create new memories, a new "you" so to speak, and those good things can carry you into the next phase of your life.  We screw up all the time - let's face it, we're human and we make mistakes.  But if we are motivated with good intentions and with our hearts that's the best we can do.

Give yourself a break and stop trying to save the world.  Breathe and don't try to control what others are doing.  Pay attention to your reaction to it and learn from that and move on.

You deserve happiness and peace.  Now it's your turn to believe that.  :)

[Sonrissa]

Akita, you and I are two peas in the same boat, up the same creek, and we only have one paddle! I'm feeling for you, and if you find the answer, please share it with me! Then, we can market it and make a ton of money! Is it a deal?

[solost170]

I agree the emotional part is so hard, numb for years your whole body numb mind and spirit I look at my life and think how did that not bother me or how did I let myself do that, and then I realized that I just wasnt feeling anything anymore and when you get off them its like your whole body is awake and wrking overtime emotions so very much including I find myself with major mood swings some good some not, but I'm not even taken things one day at a time its minute by minute. I know about depression as well I was on depression med for years to I'm not now I'm on nothing ten days and counting, I wish I had the right answer for you but I dont I would talk to your dr about derpression cause its something you need to check into just to be safe. my heart and prayers are with ya girl hang in there

[akitagurl12]

thank you so much for your insight once again.  Everything that is setting me off right now and everyday lately isn't even my stuff.  I have no sense of boundaries and do not know how to seperate my stuff from other people at all. I lose sleep constantly because I obsess about other people and not being accepted or liked by them.  But the truth is, I don't care who likes me. I have this irrational fear of being bullied all of a sudden and I have no idea where this is coming from.  When we get off drugs, do our brains go back in time to before we started using?  That is the only time I was bullied for real.  Do you know of any good books or suggestions for this problem.  Because it is a major problem.

[dominosarah]

Emotions are very scary for most of us.  We have numbed them for so long that we dont know how to react, they are confusing and create havoc to our life in the beginning.  Once you realize it is okay to feel it gets better.  You also figure out what is driving these emotions.  One of the biggest things i have noticed with you is you overwhelm your brain with things that just arent yours to take on.  That creates major chaos.  Many times,even to this day when i get overwhelmed i have to sit down and write what is bothering me down, i then figure out which is mine and which isnt.  That helps as i see it in black and white.  I have experienced loss while clean and it has been very painful but i let myself feel the emotions and work thru them.  I remember a very painful time a couple years ago.  I was ready to throw in the towel, i was sobbing my eyes out.  My friend listened to me thru the sobs and instead of saying oh you poor thing(which i wanted to hear) said this to me.."Congrats on finally feeling".  I was so pi$$ed off but it was exactly what i needed to hear.  It was a defining moment for me.  I dont wonder what normal is anymore, i just know this is how it is now.

[akitagurl12]

you know, when i say i have been on drugs for as long as i can remember, i am serious.  I started taking stuff at a very young age and have never not been on something until now.  I really never found a good doctor, in the past i have always seem to only seek out the ones who would be quick to write scripts.  So I agree, maybe taking a clearer approach to all this will help me find a new and better doctor.  Thanks for listening MedHelp fam:)

[Pat1956100]

While I do believe that doctors diagnose "Chemical Imbalance" and "Bi Polar" far to often and just give pills to get you out of the office, I do believe that there are many people who need medication to live a happy life.
There are tests that they can run and insist on them.  You do not deserve to live like this and you have been feeling out of whack since you went off of the AD.  Please phone today and get yourself checked out.  You are a great person who loves to laugh and deserves to.

[selfinduced]

Akita, Can you go to a therapist for depression that has a good reputation? Have you battled depression before, or is this just post pills?  It is so hard getting the right fit with the right health care professional. Please be diligent. You have worked so hard to get clean and don't want you to wander cause your feeling unbalanced. I am a poll taker. If I need a Dr. for something I ask EVERYBODY from the gas station attendant to the CEO of a big biz. The name that comes up the most is who I go to. You just need someone you trust and a plan.

[scaredmommy2005]

We are in the same boat. I am pretty sure that although I started my pills for actual pain I kept taking them because they covered up the emotional pain from everything including my dad dying of an overdose, my miscarriage and so much more. I don't know how I am going to handle it all again once I am sober but I did for 5 months before I relapsed. It's really about taking it one day at a time. Yes without the pills we feel everything to the max and I was very used to bad news o ok pop a few pills and then figure it out. All that did was mask the pain for a bit until it was time to take more. It's time to stop that cycle now. We are going to make it through this.

[akitagurl12]

I just wish I knew what was normal and what isn't normal.  I never felt my emotions before, not like this. All I want to do is cry, walk out of my job, go live in a cave with my dog, and never see another human being again.  This isn't normal, right?  Are there tests they can do to see if there is a chemical imbalance in my brain?  I just want to make sure before I get on another pill.  I have been so careless with my health up until this point.  

[smiles4eva]

My heart goes out to you.  I hope one of the wise ones will be able to answer your question.  I am only at a few clean days but deep breathing, exercising, focusing on he future instead of dwelling on the past helps me when I start to get angry, cry, feel guilt and wonder what have I done.

I don't know about you but even when I was on pills I had bad days where I couldn't get out of my own way.  If getting a new job is an option I would start there, kind of like a whole new beginning.

Hugs

[Pat1956100]

I am concerned about the chemical imbalance too.  I have a very good friend who has one and if she doesn't stay on her meds, she goes from an extreme manic episode and then crashes to extremely low.
Please discuss it with your doctor.  One pill a day is a lifesaver for her.
She was allergic to lithium but she is taking something now and has been stable for years now.

[selfinduced]

What great advice!

[magnoliaooo]

    I can so relate to dealing with the emotions while not on pills, that has been the most difficult for me. When I got sober I began to see my life and to be honest with you I did not like it. I have had to deal with a sick husband and also trying to keep my home running as if nothing is really wrong. When some time passed and my REAL feelings came out I saw I really did not like myself very much, that is really hard to admit to. I saw what years and years on and off pills had done to me. I understand what you mean about DEALING with the emotions we can't ALWAYS be in therapy or in a meeting. What I can tell you is what I know you may NOT want to hear but just STAY in the day, DON"T worry about tomorrow, it really just takes time, I hated that when people said that to me.

    When I first got sober, I really hated myself, isn't that sad? I was so depressed for awhile but I promise you it really does get better. Today I know that I won't take a pill, just for today and I will simply just DEAL with today, thinking about tomorrow still overwhelms me. Just remember when the feelings overwhelm you, you are NOT alone, we ALL struggle with the very same thing, reach out to the forum, we are all here for you.

[selfinduced]

Hey Girl, Ask your dr. how serious of an imbalance does he feel you have. For example my sister is manic. If she doesn't take her lithium she goes off the deep end, and I do mean deep end. I feel I have some OCD,anal kinda emotional imbalance, but for me exercise keeps it in check. Have you tried natural supplements? St johns wort and the likes? I have not, but many swear by it. You are doing the right thing. Go off, but if your feeling the weight of the world is killing you, reevaluate. So proud of your progress!!

[gunn73]

it s very normal. drugs numb ur brain and now that u r off them it ll take time for ur brain to chemically balance itself.

and thank u for ur support.
love always.... gunnu