mood swings

Hey.
I'm really not sure how to explain this but here goes...
I find my moods are really influenced by the smallest things and its really a problem. Like I can be feeling fine and any slight remark can throw me into a sort of 'down' mood... Often it can just be a change in the weather, or a smell, or a memory. When I'm in this sort of mood I just feel like I can't be bothered to do anything, like there's no point and I'm not going anywhere. I get very high about the most random things and its a great feeling but it's also kind of like I'm hyper: I feel extremely restless and don't sleep well. I also get days when I'm just not hungry, and others when I could eat anything you put before me. I also regularly have the most wonderful ideas, projects that come to me when I'm listening to music, or drawing, or just walking around town. But I sort of think hard about them, get really enthused and then seem to reach a peak and all my interest in them just dissolves. Like I have to move on to the next thing, whatever that might be. In the same way I can get extremely motivated about something, and then from one moment to the next not give a damn about it.

Does anyone know what makes me like this? I'd appreciate it if someone could tell me how they manage to 'control' their moods. I get really desperate sometimes, and I can't get work done, or go out, I just sit and sort of think, and my thoughts go round in circles.

Reply 1

everylittleting

1

You sound like you may suffer from manic depression (A.K.A. bipolar disorder). It is a disorder where the person swings from incredible highs (the mania) where they feel like they can do anything to deep depression and some people suffer much worse than others. I would suggest going to your GP about it and talking it through. Also doing some research on the internet about it. There are many people who feel like this and finding some may help you to see if you fell the same as them.

By dad is a manic depressive but through medication and lifestyle has managed with it for 26 years. He had the mood swings more on a fortnightly basis though rather than more day to day like you seem to.

I hope that you do not have it but I would definately suggest talking to a doctor about it. I hope I've been some help and good luck. x

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

OP

no one got any advice?

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

OP

sorry, hadnt seen that everylittleting... thanks

Reply 4

everylittleting

1

lol, I'm trying to find a good website for you

Reply 5

everylittleting

1

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/mentalhealthproblems/bipolarmanicdepression/bipolardisorder.aspx

This website basically covers it all. Do you think that you match with these symptomes. I realise that this could be a lot to take in if so, but the sooner you know what's causing you to feel the way you do, the sooner it can be sorted. Stephen Fry has manic depression btw.

Reply 6

Anonymous #1

OP

thank you so much, you're very very kind. I wish I knew you... I guess I do have quite a few of those symptoms... I'm reluctant to take it seriously though, I dont want to say that I get depressed cuz it doesnt last long enough I don't think. And I know my parents just would just think I should 'get a grip' of myself and stop being so egocentric. maybe it will just go away.

Reply 7

Anonymous #2

I'm fairly similar - one of my biggest problems is basing my emotions around other people. I become really sensitive to small things and my behaviour just becomes a reflection of my interpretation of the surroundings. I tried to break the cycle of not basing my emotions around people, but i can't help it as i become delusional and imagine different situations and how i'd react. I thought i became stronger and vowed to not let people influence me but recently i'm losing the battle :frown:

I don't know what to do either. Sometimes i wish i didn't let people in. :frown:

Reply 8

Montrose

17

I am dead similar. As some of my friends will tell you, I can be so infuriating because once I get into a 'bad mood', there is no snapping me out of it and I will be depressed for a couple of hours. Here are a few tricks I have used recently that, although they're not a cure, might help.

-Find a few songs you can put on whenever you feel you're slipping. Should be inspirational, positive songs.
-Think about a few memories of when you were your absolutely happiest, when you felt like you were a great person. Then think back to these when you feel like you're slipping again.
-Find a friend you can talk to when you feel you're slipping.
-Keep busy.

Basically, the key is being aware when you are slipping into a depressive mood, and taking steps to offset it before it fully takes force.

Reply 9

That artistic one

1

Anonymous

Hey.
I'm really not sure how to explain this but here goes...
I find my moods are really influenced by the smallest things and its really a problem. Like I can be feeling fine and any slight remark can throw me into a sort of 'down' mood... Often it can just be a change in the weather, or a smell, or a memory. When I'm in this sort of mood I just feel like I can't be bothered to do anything, like there's no point and I'm not going anywhere. I get very high about the most random things and its a great feeling but it's also kind of like I'm hyper: I feel extremely restless and don't sleep well. I also get days when I'm just not hungry, and others when I could eat anything you put before me. I also regularly have the most wonderful ideas, projects that come to me when I'm listening to music, or drawing, or just walking around town. But I sort of think hard about them, get really enthused and then seem to reach a peak and all my interest in them just dissolves. Like I have to move on to the next thing, whatever that might be. In the same way I can get extremely motivated about something, and then from one moment to the next not give a damn about it.

Does anyone know what makes me like this? I'd appreciate it if someone could tell me how they manage to 'control' their moods. I get really desperate sometimes, and I can't get work done, or go out, I just sit and sort of think, and my thoughts go round in circles.

wow, sounds too much like me and im sorry i cant help, but i am unsure of what to do myself. :frown:

Reply 10

Anonymous #1

OP

recently i'm losing the battle I don't know what to do either. Sometimes i wish i didn't let people in.

Snap. I get so influenced by people's moods, especially when they're depressed. It's a bad solution, because I just end up feeling lonely and seeming like I don't care how my friends are feeling, but I just isolate myself from them as much as I can.

Basically, the key is being aware when you are slipping into a depressive mood, and taking steps to offset it before it fully takes force.

The thing is, I don't 'slip' into a bad mood, something just throws me and I'll be fine even great one minute and down the next. I have realised that certain things (music and many things that remind me of the past) will bring me down, and so I avoid them.
But I find feeling high just as exausting in a way. I mean, it's great, but I can't do anything mundane like work, sleep, etc. I just have these crazy ideas that are so much fun.

You know how when you've got a proper compass and you distract it with something the needle just can't seem to decide where it should go and it hovers and jumps and spins round... well that's how my moods go.

Reply 11

Galipote

Before you stick any medical labels covered with uncomprehensible words on them, I thought I might say something. This sort of thing of being in a bad/very good/ changing/ morose... mood is typical to young people. Might just be remnants of teenage crisis, too much partying, not enough exercise... I've noticed that the best way for me too get over this kind of problem is to eat healthily, do regular exercise and go to bed at reasonable hours. Try it!

Reply 12

asisaidyesterday

Anonymous

Hey.
I'm really not sure how to explain this but here goes...
I find my moods are really influenced by the smallest things and its really a problem. Like I can be feeling fine and any slight remark can throw me into a sort of 'down' mood....

Alcohol !
You needs more alcohil ! :tsr2:

Reply 13

Montrose

17

asisaidyesterday

Alcohol !
You needs more alcohil ! :tsr2:

Alcohol and unhappiness are not a good mix.

Reply 14

Doodahdoo

13

Maybe go and see your doctor? The worst that can happen is that you get told that you're fine. However, you could get mood stablisers or emotional support as well, which could help you.

Take care,
Jo x

Reply 15

everylittleting

1

Anonymous

thank you so much, you're very very kind. I wish I knew you... I guess I do have quite a few of those symptoms... I'm reluctant to take it seriously though, I dont want to say that I get depressed cuz it doesnt last long enough I don't think. And I know my parents just would just think I should 'get a grip' of myself and stop being so egocentric. maybe it will just go away.

Maybe if you were actually diagonised with something though it might help. More people know about manic depression than ever before and so the stigma is slipping. If they understood it then it could be alright.

One thing I would suggest is making sure you keep track of it and make sure it never gets too bad. If it seriously interfers with your life then going to the doctor is very important.

I myself get depressed quite often (it's left over from when I got really down when I was ill earlier in the year) however it is totally managable but I mentioned it to my doctor just so if it did get worse then he knew it had been going on for a while.

I found that when I was down I thought "I need to see a doctor" but would wait til I was better again and by then I thought that I was making a big deal out of it or whatever and wouldn't go. Therefore it might help if you try to keep a diary and write how you feel when high or low so when you're back to normal you know that it was serious enough to go to the doctors.

Also remember that doctors appointments are confidential whatever age you are so your paretns don't even have to know

Reply 16

everylittleting

1

Anonymous

I'm fairly similar - one of my biggest problems is basing my emotions around other people. I become really sensitive to small things and my behaviour just becomes a reflection of my interpretation of the surroundings. I tried to break the cycle of not basing my emotions around people, but i can't help it as i become delusional and imagine different situations and how i'd react. I thought i became stronger and vowed to not let people influence me but recently i'm losing the battle :frown:

I don't know what to do either. Sometimes i wish i didn't let people in. :frown:

I think I do that sometimes, just a really little thing can set you off, however this doesn't sound quite so manic depressive. But I would suggest keeping a diary and going to the doctors too.

There are more treatments than pills too if you're not keen on that. Just your lifestyle has an impact. I would suggest staying away from drugs and alcohol as much as possible as these have a big impact on your mental health.

mood swings

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