Mood swings

[The .50 Caliber Cow]

Hi.

I have... a rough past but my situation has changed for the better lately. The only problem is there are still some days I feel where all hope is lost, even though I don't have to deal with my abusive ex anymore.

Somedays I'm fine, others I just wake up furious and most other times I'm just caught in a slump of depressing thoughts. I put on a brave face for everyone who is looking out for me because they've already done so much for me but inside I've cracked. It's making it hard to find a job so I can help pay for my rent. My friends can only do so much for me.

Any advice on how to deal with this without checking into a hospital?

Yeah...

 

[Ando85]

Might want to set up an appointment with a psychiatrist. Most likely they will put you on anti depressants. Sometimes we can get depressed no matter what the issues are going on in your life. Things have gotten better for you, yet you still feel depressed sometimes. Medication might make your mood more stable.

 

[Erana]

Make sure you're taking care of yourself physcially. Nutritious, regular meals, exercise, enough sleep, etc. That being said, I find that depression is often a symptom of other issues if there's not something (like a bad relationship) that gives one good reason to be depressed. If this isn't due to not taking care of your body or residual problems from your Ex, then I suggest going medical.

Now, I'd err on caution when dealing with medical issues; the hospital is more concerned with immediate issues (A bed occupied is a customer lost) and specialists only typically look at their specific field. I've had a years-long health fiasco in which no one can figure out what's causing the symptoms I've been having. If every diagnosis were true, I'd be an epileptic with PCOS developing narcolepsy. They still haven't nailed it down, but what they can understand is that its related to the fluctuation of my lady hormones, and with some medicine, my quality of life has improved greatly.

What first sent us in the right direction was going to the doctor and having extensive bloodwork done, which told us that one of my hormone levels was off.
Do a bit of research about common tests and your family history. Get yourself screened for any of your relatives' ailments, and get your levels checked. You may be have a nutrient deficiency that's getting to your head and could fix it with some vitamins or something.

 

[The .50 Caliber Cow]

Might want to set up an appointment with a psychiatrist. Most likely they will put you on anti depressants. Sometimes we can get depressed no matter what the issues are going on in your life. Things have gotten better for you, yet you still feel depressed sometimes. Medication might make your mood more stable.

I'll be damned before I get drugged up.

Make sure you're taking care of yourself physcially. Nutritious, regular meals, exercise, enough sleep, etc. That being said, I find that depression is often a symptom of other issues if there's not something (like a bad relationship) that gives one good reason to be depressed. If this isn't due to not taking care of your body or residual problems from your Ex, then I suggest going medical.

Well, I'm in good shape. I still run. I just... yeah. I don't get it but I'm healthy, medically speaking. Psychologically I've always been unique but I'm just trying to change that.

Now, I'd err on caution when dealing with medical issues; the hospital is more concerned with immediate issues (A bed occupied is a customer lost)

Free health care here but whatever, I see what you mean.

and specialists only typically look at their specific field. I've had a years-long health fiasco in which no one can figure out what's causing the symptoms I've been having. If every diagnosis were true, I'd be an epileptic with PCOS developing narcolepsy. They still haven't nailed it down, but what they can understand is that its related to the fluctuation of my lady hormones, and with some medicine, my quality of life has improved greatly.

What first sent us in the right direction was going to the doctor and having extensive bloodwork done, which told us that one of my hormone levels was off.
Do a bit of research about common tests and your family history. Get yourself screened for any of your relatives' ailments, and get your levels checked. You may be have a nutrient deficiency that's getting to your head and could fix it with some vitamins or something.

Maybe... I've just always been afraid of the hospital so I'm very, very, very resistant to walking into a clinic and asking "what's wrong with me?".

 

[Erana]

Maybe... I've just always been afraid of the hospital so I'm very, very, very resistant to walking into a clinic and asking "what's wrong with me?".

Why are you afraid of the hospital? I mean, there's good reason to be, but if you really feel as though your emotions could be a symptom of a health problem, then you can't let irrational fears get in the way of your happiness.
It doesn't just have to be "What's wrong with me," if you were to go looking for physical ailments, it would be an "Is there something wrong with my chemistry currently?" Yes, this would involve some blood being drawn, but you just sit down, and make yourself sit still and relax the arm muscles. I'm still a bit uneasy with needles myself, and even one sample of blood leaves me a bit lightheaded. Just make sure to keep your blood sugar up.
Don't let yourself make this overwhelming. At worst, it will be a few needles and some wooziness. You can manage that. I know that, and more importantly, in your head, you know that. Have your rationality take the steering wheel. If you have someone who could be there physically to nudge you into making and keeping an appointment, then ask for some help.

 

[Ando85]

Might want to set up an appointment with a psychiatrist. Most likely they will put you on anti depressants. Sometimes we can get depressed no matter what the issues are going on in your life. Things have gotten better for you, yet you still feel depressed sometimes. Medication might make your mood more stable.

I'll be damned before I get drugged up.

The medication won't turn you into a doped up zombie if that's what you are thinking. If you have a headache would you take some Tylenol? It's basically the same difference. I'm just trying to help so I'm sorry for giving my advice.

 

[ManWithHat]

Do you feel like your life is not what you would have liked it to be? There are times where I get depressed or saddened for no reason. It seems to happen when I think about how my life has turned out compared to what I would have preferred. Just take some time to evaluate where you're at and what you still expect from yourself. You say that you just got out of an abusive relationship, or something similar, so maybe it's just some lingering emotional side effects.

Until you find your answer, here's a picture of little kitty:

Spoiler: cuteness

 

[Kingsnake661]

Might want to set up an appointment with a psychiatrist. Most likely they will put you on anti depressants. Sometimes we can get depressed no matter what the issues are going on in your life. Things have gotten better for you, yet you still feel depressed sometimes. Medication might make your mood more stable.

I'll be damned before I get drugged up.

The medication won't turn you into a doped up zombie if that's what you are thinking. If you have a headache would you take some Tylenol? It's basically the same difference. I'm just trying to help so I'm sorry for giving my advice.

I've got family with mentail issues ranging for off the charts OCD (think Monk..but IRL.. and NOT FUNNY..) to bypoler, and let me tell you, just trying to "think positively" doesn't cut it. When there is a *real* chimecail imbalance, the power of positive thinking isn't enough. The medication can help, along with counceling and positive thinking. I've seen it first hand, on both ends, the person who gets help improves, the one that doesn't.. is spirrling out of control...

But even with medication it can take time. My sister(the one getting help) is making great improvements, but is far from *normal*. It's a constent work in progress. Don't give up, don't be afraid to ask for help, and take you meds.

 

[Ando85]

Might want to set up an appointment with a psychiatrist. Most likely they will put you on anti depressants. Sometimes we can get depressed no matter what the issues are going on in your life. Things have gotten better for you, yet you still feel depressed sometimes. Medication might make your mood more stable.

I'll be damned before I get drugged up.

The medication won't turn you into a doped up zombie if that's what you are thinking. If you have a headache would you take some Tylenol? It's basically the same difference. I'm just trying to help so I'm sorry for giving my advice.

I've got family with mentail issues ranging for off the charts OCD (think Monk..but IRL.. and NOT FUNNY..) to bypoler, and let me tell you, just trying to "think positively" doesn't cut it. When there is a *real* chimecail imbalance, the power of positive thinking isn't enough. The medication can help, along with counceling and positive thinking. I've seen it first hand, on both ends, the person who gets help improves, the one that doesn't.. is spirrling out of control...

But even with medication it can take time. My sister(the one getting help) is making great improvements, but is far from *normal*. It's a constent work in progress. Don't give up, don't be afraid to ask for help, and take you meds.

Oh yes I agree. Those who don't understand what it is like to have a real mental disorder often say just think positive, or you have nothing to be depressed about, smile, and stuff like that. It isn't a simple matter of turning depression off and on like a light switch. If that were the case depression wouldn't be the big issue that it is.

 

[AnAngryMoose]

A psychologist is generally less quick to put you on medication, but is generally more expensive. From personal experience, it's well worth the money. They're very helpful people for just listening. I know you might say that you have a close friend who can listen, but there's something relieving about talking to them in particular.

 

[Sarcastic_Applause]

is it at particular times (seasons) that you get like this? I suffer from something quite similar, except sometimes a little more frantic.
Case and Point: one time on my way to meet a friend nearby me, on the drive over there (i'd had a pretty good day otherwise) i just lost all that enthusiasm and feel depressed.

I've got to agree with AnAngryMoose on this one, i met a group of old friends a little after the slump and it picked me up incredibly well. Not necessarily talking about how i felt but what i was interested in (games, music, books, etc), the social interaction is what i miss out on the most and its a great way to get out of your mind for a bit

 

[Hop-along Nussbaum]

DISCLAIMER: You are not going to like my advice.

Step 1. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. The past is past. That's it. Move on. Your life isn't some movie script, where you're going to have flashbacks to a graphic scene. There is nothing wrong with you that a swift kick up the backside can't fix.

Step 2. Go outside. You are not clinically depressed, bi-polar, or other affliction-du-jour. In all likelyhood, you crave attention, and are not getting it anywhere else in your life.

Step 3. Stop blaming other people, or thinking others are "out to get you" because you are having trouble landing a job or for your other life problems. There is no grand conspiracy to "eliminate the .50 Cal Cow".

You are no different than every other "I've got a problem" person on these forums. You think that your life is in upheaval for some ridiculous reason that is beyond your control. Life is hard. You can either pick yourself up and do something about your situation, or you can make random pleas for attention on borrowed internet time.

Having said all this, I sincerely wish you good luck in turning your life around. Only you can better your life.

 

[Gaz6231]

So, yeah, that basically.