"Mixed Moods"

[Banned]

I suppose this is a question for the non-bipolar people.

I'm tracking my moods daily and on the program I use there is an option for "mixed moods".

I guess I always thought that mixed moods were perfectly normal. Do non-bipolar people not "suffer" from mixed moods, or mood fluctuations during the day?

 

[white page]

I don't know if mixed moods is a clinical term or not, but understanding it as a layman, and not being bipolar, I can answer your question Turtle, yes certainly non bipolar individuals have mood fluctuations during the day, however the difference lies in the fact that the moods are reactionel and environmental , whereas, from what I understand from the bipolar disorder the moods can flip for no apparent reason.

 

[Fiver]

I'm not bipolar; my diagnosis is PTSD and MDD, with a smidgen of "ain't quite right in the head right now" thrown in, and lemme tell ya, my moods are all over the map every day.

I'd like to pick one and settle down with it, but I'm fickle, apparently. Also, I'm known for my indecisiveness.

 

[ladylore]

I'm going with WP on this one. The only time when my moods go into extremes are when it's "that time of month".

I can feel many feelings over the day. If I do have extreme emotions they can be regulated within an hour or so usually. Even if I am having a hard time - usually a good night's sleep helps or somone sharing a different perspective on the situation.

Hope this helps Turtle.

 

[Banned]

I think that makes sense. So basically, you don't sit down to play solitaire feeling fine, and half an hour later you're not overcome with despair and depression?

That's basically what happens with me. I can be doing something, and feeling fine. Next thing I know, I'm not fine anymore. I can come out of it sometimes in minutes, sometimes in hours, other times not for days or weeks. Like I said, until we started looking at bipolar, I just thought this was normal and all people went through this.

 

[ladylore]

This also depends on the thoughts in my head. If I start thinking about, lets say family - which is a topic that can get me panicky, and keep thinking about it - I can go into an emotional spin in minutes. If I keep thinking about it without distracting myself - sometime it goes on for hours.

The thoughts I have come with feelings that seem very real. If they run on the more negative or hurtful thoughts I can be in trouble. It's why I try to stay on more positive, optomistic side of things. The imagined can be a heck of alot more powerful then the real.

 

[Banned]

So your emotional spins are basically contingent on the thoughts going through your mind, if I'm understanding you correctly, Robyn. Where-as me, my emotional spins can happen regardless of what's going through my mind, or how well things are going. I think, if I'm understanding correctly, that's the difference. Obviously certain things are triggers for me as well, but what I'm saying is it doesn't necessarily take something triggering to drastically change my emotional state.

 

[Andy]

Hi Turtle,
I am Bipolar and that is how it is with me. I can flip from one mood to the next with no reason what so ever. :crazy:

 

[white page]

So your emotional spins are basically contingent on the thoughts going through your mind, if I'm understanding you correctly, Robyn. Where-as me, my emotional spins can happen regardless of what's going through my mind, or how well things are going. I think, if I'm understanding correctly, that's the difference. Obviously certain things are triggers for me as well, but what I'm saying is it doesn't necessarily take something triggering to drastically change my emotional state.

Yes Turtle that is exactly it. For instance when I'm fragile, I avoid anything that will trigger me into a real downer, so in certain circumstances I can control the situation, by turning my thoughts away from dark negative thinking.

A bipolar sufferer doesn't even see it coming, and is plunged into despair or elation without any possibilty of self control. It must be like being in a small boat with out a rudder, sails or oars on an unpredictable sea.

 

[ladylore]

You got it Turtle.

I learned something new today. I didn't know that about bipolar. I really feel for you.:support:

 

[Banned]

I learned something too, LL, cause I didn't realize that "normal" (ie non-bipolar people) don't shift moods the way I do. And here all this time I thought I was "normal"

It gives me a better understanding though of what makes bipolar, bipolar.

 

[white page]

:2thumbs: you are just a normal bipolar , as opposed to a normal normal

 

[Fiver]

I feel like I've just walked into Starbucks...

 

[white page]

I feel like I've just walked into Starbucks...

:funny:

 

[ladylore]

I use to have major mood swings at one point - ok, many points in my life. But I also had racing thoughts with those mood swings. I guess as the saying goes - we all have our own cross to bear".

So, are you taking your medication with you on your vacation? May be a good idea.

 

[white page]

I agree with LL, I believe that those mood swings can be stabilised with medication,
as long as the medication is taken consistently.

 

[Banned]

Yes, my meds will be going with me (although they are not mood stabilizers, just plain old antidepressants). I have a doctor app't tomorrow and I'm going to enquire about increasing the dose while I'm away. I'm on a relatively low dose so it should be ok...

 

[Chain Lightning]

A bipolar sufferer doesn't even see it coming, and is plunged into despair or elation without any possibilty of self control. It must be like being in a small boat with out a rudder, sails or oars on an unpredictable sea.

I can relate to that! For example, a few days ago I was having a great time hanging out with a friend and on the way home started feeling really bummed out for no reason! Not long after I got home, I was crying and couldn't stop. I just wanted to die and was afraid to be alone and called one of my friends who talked to me for 2-1/2 hours.