Hi i'm a new member on this forum and this is my first post. i was just hoping to get a little advice or life experience from anyone who can relate to me problems. Allbeit maybe minor problems compared to some people.

My problem is that I experience apparantly random mood swings. I can never have a mod that is just "in the middle" i'm either totally elated or incredibly depressed, there is very often no inbetween. Sometimes little things can trigger my mood either way. For example.. I will hear a piece of music on the radio that I enjoy, and I will become really happy.. other times.. me and my finacee have little insignificant tiff.. and it triggers a huge bout of sad feelings and depression. I have not been able to talk to anyone or conecentrate all day because I just feel like bursting into tears.

I've been feeling like this for a very long time and i've been burying my head in the sand.. but I am a bit sick of feeling this way..

Can anyone relate or give any advice? I know this may seem a minor problem, don;t want to seem patronising.

Thanks

Tarkonis

to DF, (((((tarkonis)))))

Thanks for opening up. Your issues are not minor at all. Most of us here can relate personally to what you've described.

Before treating my depression, my moods were highly unstable and erratic. I can still remember the many people who asked me "why can't you find a happy medium?" I just couldn't, and I was all over the place.

Since treating my depression, I've been much more balanced. In my case, the treatment was both medication and therapy. I urge you to talk to a doctor and/or therapist about your feelings. There is help, if you ask for it.

I hope you gain some comfort and insight here at DF. We're glad to have you with us.

Hi thanks for the quick reply.

I will go to my doctor and speak to her but I was always worried that she may dismiss my worries because there is nothing physically wrong with me.

Your symptoms correlate to those of depression. Read the articles on depression we have in the forums or Google it for more information. GP's can treat depression; however, only the basics. It's better to see a psychiatrist or psychologist for evaluation, diagnosis and a treatment plan. Like, Burgy said, help is out there for you. Make that call to your doc, don't be embarrassed. It's the biiggest step you will take towards recovery. Taking care of you should be your first priority.

I'm Bipolar I which has enormous mood swings. I didn't seek treatment until I was 36. Up until then, my life was miserable and very unstable. It's been almost 3 decades of being the closest I've ever been to a "normal" life. I am so glad I got over the stigma attached to mental health and sought help. I take meds and see a therapist.

Let us know how you're doing and what your doc says.
Sheepwoman

I'm so glad to hear you're going to see a doctor. Doctors, and especially psychiatrists, see patients with depression/mood swings all the time, and they can help you. Depression IS a physical disease of the brain, however it often doesn't show any acute physical symptoms, which is why it's dismissed so much. But it is very real, and treatment is available.

I encourage you to write down your feelings as you go about your day, and take that piece of paper in with you. It's easy to forget or minimize your symptoms when you're in the presence of a doctor, but bringing in written notes with you will help to ensure that you tell them everything that's bothering you, so you can get the best treatment.

Good luck, and please keep us posted!

Hi Tarkonis,

You have some great advice already. I hope the doc(s) can help you qiuickly.

The symptoms you describe strongly suggest Bi Polar depression but only a doc can confirm that. Try looking ip the symptoms on line (Google bi polar sysptoms or read the section on this site).

It is a trait of us, humans, to avoid finding out what we fear and don't want to know. It is, I think, one reason why depression is so insidious. We allow it to grow and develop by thinking we can deal with it. If we could avoid that delay we'd all have a better chance of a quick recovery. But it seems each of us has to learn the hard way and struggle through until we can't bear it.

If it is bi polar a mood stabiliser, lithium being one of many, can and should even those moods out so that you don't expereince the rapid changes which are so hard to handle. It will also remove the highs but having felt the rapid changes myself I know which I prefer. No highs.

Very best

Friendly

Hi Tarkonis,

I really don't have any other advice to other that hasn't been offered.

Hang in there, and don't give up.

Take care

Dane~

Hi Tarkonis, yes, I can and do relate to your problems and they are not insignificant at all. It sounds like you're bipolar, so am I and you may well fare better with the right meds and some talk therapy, that's what's helped me over the years. You can get as stable as possible on the right kind and dosage of medications and with good therapy, I'm living proof of that. Stay strong and take it one step at a time. Time heals all wounds, I make myself believe that everyday. I'm struggling with issues of my own and need to remember that always. Take good care of yourself cause no one can do it for you. Keep posting and letting us know how you're feeling. darkshadow.