I am diagnosed with bipolar disorder, ADD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder.?

It doesn't sound like bipolar to me - bipolar moods last weeks to months. You should have also noticed that your sleep cycle would change a LOT - when depressed, people with bipolar usually sleep MUCH MORE than usual, and in mania, people sleep MUCH LESS than usual. And most people with bipolar don't get snappy with others all the time when they are manic - usually they have euphoria, and people LOVE to be around then, because they are funny. It's when the mania gets worse that there are problems, or your husband tells you to stop remodeling the kitchen in the middle of the night, and therefore, is interfering with your work.

I have bipolar, and the meds never helped me except for the mania, which now that I'm in my 40's, I don't seem to get that anymore. Therefore, I am going to give you my depression self-help tips. In my case, the meds may actually have made my bipolar problems permanently worse, and my brother's too - we got a lot sicker when we took antidepressnants, and never recovered. I was a geophysics PhD student working on a NASA project, and my brother was a machinist, and now years later we sit on disability and rot.

Generic Practical Depression tips (PRINT THEM OUT):

The library has self-help books on depression.

Many meds cause or worsen depression, including birth control, blood pressure, pain, acne, antipsychotic, anxiety (benzos) or sleeping medications, alcohol, illicit drugs and MANY others.

Hypothyroidism mimics depression . Too little sleep, or sleep disorders like sleep apnea, or interrupted sleep (crying baby, barking dog) can cause depression.

If your depression is worse in winter, use a light box (10,000 Lux (light intensity) at about 20” - about $300 online, you don't need full spectrum, Sunray is a good brand). I have extra windows, painted the walls peach & yellow & have a skylight. There's a link to a cheaper lightbox & more info at psycheducation.org. Also you can try 1000 to 2000 IU of Vitamin D in winter. It may work, or may be placebo treatment.

Try meditation like progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery. See The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook by Edmund Bourne. Free 15 minute guided imagery at healthjourneys.com and many free meditations at youtube.

Go out with friends, & if you don't have any, join a club e.g. hobby club, bowling league & MAKE yourself go. “Isolating” makes depression worse!

Exercise 1/2 hour a day, & anytime you feel depressed or anxious. LOTS OF RESEARCH SUPPORTS THIS as the most effective depression treatment of all.

Insomnia?: Go to bed & get up the same time each day, even weekends. Don't use your bedroom to watch TV, read or use the computer. Don't do stuff that revs you up before bed, like exercising & using the computer. Light from computer screens & TV wakes you up. Blue light is the worst offender – dim the lights and use an old-fashioned incandescent bulb the last hour. Make the bedroom very dark, even cover up the clock. Mask disturbing sounds with a fan or try soundsleeping.com or youtube, etc. Avoid caffeine after noon.

Put colorful, happy things around the house. Do nice things for yourself. Make a list of things that make you happy, like: bread fresh from the oven, the crisp sound of a saltine cracker breaking, fresh sheets on the bed, touching frost on the windowpane, etc. Read that list when you are down. Use comforting scents. I like vanilla & cloves.

Work on time management if you are overwhelmed. Cut back on other responsibilities so you can spend more time with friends & family. Ask for help with chores.

Spend more time with your pet, if you have one.

DON'T listen to sad music! Listen to upbeat stuff- same with movies & novels.

DISTRACT yourself. Read a novel, watch a comedy, go out with friends, play cards or a video game, whatever keeps your mind busy.

Volunteer. Helping others makes you feel better about yourself & you make a difference, too. If you are religious, your religion may help keep you involved in the community.

Put a half-smile on your face. Changing your expression is proven to help change mood.

Try free computerized cognitive behavioral therapy at moodgym.anu.edu.au. Also, if you have an abuse history, it is likely to be a major cause of your depression.

****

PS when I was on benzos, I routinely screamed at people and kicked holes in the walls, smashed things, etc. The docs misdiagnosed that as personality disorder (hmmm, suddenly got one in my 30's, right, and it went away when I got off meds) Is that what is making you behave poorly? It seemed to make me horrible several hours after I took it, perhaps drug withdrawal.

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ok has your doctor given u a confirmed diagnosis of bipolar or is he assesing u for bipolar?, im just a bit unsure as u say he said he hasnt seen a manic episode? if this is the case then get a second opinion, if u havnt had a manic or hypomanic episode then he shouldnt have diagnosed u with bipolar, he could diagnose unipolar without the mania but not bipolar, also u have to be diagnosed by a phychiatrist not a GP, has he refered u to a phychiatrist yet? and also has he checked your thyroid, because before a diagnosis of bipolar u must have your thyroid checked as it can mimic the symptoms of bipolar, if this is the case then id maby consider getting a new doctor x

theres nothing wrong with wanting to look after your health and well being and i think u are a very resposable person for asking for advice as u have concerns, u r doing the right thing

episodes in bipolar are very misunderstood, alot of ppl think they are constant mood swings throughout the day or every other day but this isnt the case, bipolar episodes last minimum 4-7 days but usually weeks to months of either depression or mania/hypomania

if what u meant tho was that he hadnt seen a manic episode right now but has confirmed manic/hypomanic episode in the past whitch is why u were diagnosed then what u are describing could be a mixed episode, if u have had bipolar for a long time and had many episodes then somtimes u can end up having a mixed episode where u experiance mania e.g the creativity the rapid thoughts plans etc but dont have the motovation enough to see it through as u also have the depressive symptoms etc

has he spoke to u about medication that may help for biplar like lithium? if your diagnosis is confirmed and by a phychiatrist then start asking about medication options to help u

but if u havnt been diagnosed the correct way and by a phychitrist then definetly get a second opinion, and maby look into boarderline personality disorder, its similar to bipolar in the way of mood changes only the moods in boarderline are a lot more rapid

anyway good luck to u and i hope u get proper help and the correct diagnosis x

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Tell them how you feel and what you might think the problem is and why. That way they can see where you are coming from and give more help. I don't know if there is really any way to avoid these problems. Lots of times it is something that runs in the family, as long as you get it treated it can only get better though. Remember you are not alone though. Issue like this are in my family also. Depression and anxiety run in my family. I used to have major issues with it to the point of where I started self mutilating and one day accidently did it so bad I almost died of was going into shock.My parents never believed people could have mental health issues and that I could just get over it, but that isn't how it works. So I never got the help I needed until it was almost too late. That is why it is so importnant to get these things treated early, so things like that can be prevented. I am glad you are helping yourself and seeing someone, just remember if you don't like that person you talk to, try another person, and continue to look until you find someone you feel very comfortable talking to, that way you can get the best help out of it. Good luck!

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Consume foods naturally high in B vitamins, such as whole grains, nuts, and seeds, and iodine (fish, seaweed, vegetables and root vegetables).

Exercise daily, at least 30–60 minutes per day, 4–5 times a week.

Practice deep breathing and other techniques that trigger the “relaxation response” – such as meditation and guided visualization.

While medications to treat anxiety conditions are often an important component in the management of anxiety, there is also many natural, do-it-yourself techniques that can help calm you down, either in place of medications or as a supplement to them. Learn here https://tr.im/xJr9h

Next time you're too tense to cope, consider trying one of these natural options for relief.

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