Me > This

[MaryMary_QuiteContrary]

I'm 19, female, college student, aspiring scientist. I have been treated for ADHD with Vyvanse for almost two years now and have recently been diagnosed with a mood disorder. My doctor gave me a script for a mood stabilizer, but I want to do something more than just take pills. I need to actively do something more to help get my life on track. I can't just leave pills to be my sanity anchor. Any suggestions?

[persephonedemeter]

Hi Mary,

Great choice for nursery rhyme name, btw. I think you are spot on to stabilize your mood disorder with more than just  pills. You are very right to know that only pills are the magic answer, although they do help alot, at least for myself.

If I had a chance to relive my 13 year battle I would do this. Learn to minimize stressors, triggers and provoking, nonhelpful response behaviors. A combination of Cognitive Behavior Therapy/Dialectical Behavior Therapy suited me. Irt resolved a lot of my thought process issues just 5 years ago. It took 3 years when I didn't have to do it on paper and just do it in my head in less than 3 seconds. I just thanked the CBT/DBT for teaching me this skill that I was so skeptical about in the beginning.

Some people do meditation. I have a hard time meditating because my mind was never without thoughts. I don't have that problem anymore I do use some some components of meditation to help me distance myself from a trigger (like being cut off in traffic by a dangerous driver) and an unhelpful response (heated anger bordering on road rage), which I call "zenning" helpful. I like walking meditation, because I find physical activity that allows me to practice emptying my mind or at least, slowing it down, helpful. If I can't empty my mind, I focus on a sentence or phrase I find intriguing or focus on discerning pi.

This may appeal to the scientist in you, but quite a few people find biofeedback helpful. It will most likely help you with your other disorders as well. Some people find light therapy beneficial. My psychiatrist wants me to walk in the sun for 20 minutes, but I think the walking and just seeing light and smelling fresh air works more for me than sunlight, but I'm open.

I don't drink alcohol unless I want to taste a drink for flavor, ecause I dod notice it really hits me hard with depression the next day. I drink decaf espresso drinks. I eat in moderation and try not to skip meals even when I don't feel like eating. I do this because it does affect my moods and for better medication efficacy.

I used to see a talk therapist every week along with my psychiatrist, but After  9 years of that, I ran out of things to say. now, Iwill see a therapist for a 6 week, once a week, goal oriented problem or behavior solving sessios as I need it, So far, it's been once a year, and generally to keep me on track. in addition to my psychiatrist, who I now see biweekly, (I achieved amazing stability only 4 months ago without losing my center).

Occasionally, I find group therapy useful, but only for a few weeks. I usually get more out of being in nature or around animals when I don't particularly like hearing everyone's take on my bipolar disorder. Some of my friends like to mother me to no limits, though caring and loving, can be a bit much.

I always make room in my schedule to do somethng pleasing to remind me what wonder looks and feels like, even if I can't feel it when I'm too depressed, which is very hard to do. It helps me to keep things in perspective and keep my head above water or at least, let me know what I'm reaching for.Examples are watching the Perseid Meteor shower coming in the middle of this month pass by, flying a kite, listening to music, singing to myself (good for deep breathing and lightening up). I sing to myself because I never sing on key and people have a pained expression on their faces when they hear me.)

I also just laugh when I see something disturbing like my hands used to  shake uncontrollably due to med side effects and I couldn't do fine motor movements. I  accepted it, dealt with it as I could, and just asked someone else to do the precise task for me with a steadier hand. In other wprds, I try not to sweat it or get upset about the "small" temporary stuff. If it's weighty, I don't ignore the problem, but process it through. I just don't want to end up in a rut. I like moving on and learning from it.

I learned to practice forgiveness and letting go. I want to live in a better place, so I start with myself. I make room for love and being loved. I also don't let bad stuff or people ruin my day. I keep my boundaries intact. I'm not easily conned. I keep an open mind without making myself vulnerable to getting hurt. I choose my fights. If I can't win, I'll wait and see what happens. I choose my moment when the timing is right or the opportunity is there. I make sure I remain my own best friend. I don't ignore the gut feelngs or the red flags.

The hardest thing I find to do is pacing myself. I need to even out rest periods to my activities. I used to trudge on, even when Inhad no reserve. I don't do that anymore unless I find myself in a position where I would be overwhelmed by zombies trying to eat me:) There is always exceptions to the rule when catastrophe happens. I will also pray when my back io the wall and I feel overwhelmed. I pray for courage, strength, clear thinking, forebearance, and direction.

There are a lot of variables that influence me like weather,events. I don't like rigid schedules. I will give myself a time for spontaneity and then a task or 2 to accomplish depending on my energy level or the necessity of accomplishing something and getting it out of the way.

I simplified my life with getting rid of stuff I don't need to think about like using automatic bill pay or ordering my meds online or putting them on an online scheduled refill service through the pharmacy. I love online convenience, I also love my tax accountant. I use every convenient resource available to me. If I could hug my dishwasher to show it how much I appreciate it, I would.

[thedave3000]

Nutrition and fitness.  The rigors of a well-maintained fitness regimen will keep your body and your mind active and not wander to those awful places.  Eating well is 80% of the fitness piece, so it's obviously a big deal.  

I was misdiagnosed as having a mood disorder, for a couple of years.  Turns out, I am so freaked out by everything all of the time, so hyped about everything, I could never control the rollercoaster.  Adderall XR is great for me.  I can sleep on the stuff.  Calmly focus.  Organize things.  Think straight.  Not overthink.  And that's the biggest advantage with the Adderall XR, conquering the over-thinking.    

But without fitness, my whole life, I wouldn't be here right now.  I'd be in that suicide place.  Fitness gave me a direction,  Still does.  I have a lot of nervous energy.  I still need to workout daily.  If I don't, that energy starts to build up and it stays inside, and then I really start to suffer.