Stopping the downward spiral

Hello everyone,

I'm headed into that downward spiral to a major depressive episode again- does anyone have any ideas on how to stop it- my therapist and I are at our wit's end.....please...

Things I've Tried (that have failed so far):
A Day Program
Inducing mania with caffeine
upping therapy to twice a week
Getting more sleep
Getting less sleep
Routines with chores
Med changes
Using CBT/DBT skills daily

Thanks
Emily

Hi,
I don't know if this is an issue you face, one of the things that causes my mood swings to worsen is anxiety, I have 4 anxiety disorders and for some reason they fuel my moods, especially depression. I wasn't given anything to address the anxiety until 4 years after my diagnosis (and a trip to the hospital) and it seemed to be the missing component, as I was having two full blown episodes per year, starting with a mania, sliding downwards into mixed mood, then a crash into depression. the anxiety part is almost worse than the actual mood swings and seems much harder to treat. I can't take ssri's or snri's but I have taken a small dose of a tricyclic before years ago and that helped.

right now, I am taking buspar and naltrexone, one boosts serotonin, the other boosts endorphins and they seem to be helping (I also take lamictal, trileptal, nuedexta, deplin)

I do find once the depression takes hold, it's so hard to do the things you listed above so big hugs and kudos for you trying to keep up with them. best wishes
Amy

Hey, I agree that the problem of depression can become prolonged and worse. For curing depression you need to change your lifestyle, eating habits and stop thinking about the past. Recently my friend told me about online psychic reading http://www.martine-voyance.com..., which helps to cure depression and motivate you to think positive you can also try this and get healing.

Maybe try one of those lights they use to treat seasonal affective disorder

Thanks everyone!

I've been using a full spectrum light an hour a day for 6months maybe longer... I don't think it helps.

My psychiatrist has been making med changes.

I'm kind of in this weird holding pattern. I made a deal with myself to live till January 2nd.

Hi Emily,

Here are some things I do and suggest:

*Clean up your diet from sugar and refined carbs.

*Exercise or increase exercise

*sunshine

Most important for me is...
*Religion

Personally, I am Christian so I do believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost, and angels including demons. I believe in spirits because I’ve seen them. I grew up in a haunted house —for real —no psychosis. Sometimes I think depression is exacerbated by demonic oppression and they want nothing more than to harm us to the point of suicide. They strike when you are most vulnerable. Don’t let them win.

One place to start is by reading the New Testament of the Bible, it is amazing. Especially the Gospels — the books of Matthew, Luke, Mark and John.

Talk to God even if you are not a believer.)

Please don’t harm yourself. (((Hugs)))

I recently got triggered into an episode by mucinexD, it was the pseudoephedrine..this time is was depression for 2 hours then mania for 2 hours in a 12 hour time period...ever since then I'd been cycling day to day then it changed to through the day plus barely sleeping. I stayed in touch with my dr...she took me off the buspar and I'm on seroquel just long enough to get back to usual, she says probably 4-6 weeks. I am feeling a lot better, it's been about 2 weeks on seroquel.
it is SO hard when we get triggered and trying to get back to a much more level place. I'm still watching myself but the anxiety levels have lessened, not so obsessive...my episodes used to be about 3 months long, that's how long it took to get through mania, spiraling into mixed, then crashing into depression, then finally coming back up. serious roller coaster. I've seen it written the bipolar coaster.

hang in there, I"m certain you've been through this before and come back up, that's what I tell myself, I've been through this and I can make it through again.

remember, depression lies to us and tells us things that when we are not depressed we know are not true.

I know it's tough, I've been in that place way too many times but I've managed to come back up.
the last really bad one, my dr's helped keep me out of the hospital by seeing my therapist twice a week and my psychiatrist once a week and being accompanied during the other times.
BUT...if you need the hospital, then go. it's a safe place to be if you are not feeling safe. having what I call 'crooked thoughts'. please, be safe

Thanks again everyone for the input. I spent two weeks in the hospital and am doing well again.
-Emily

I’m so very glad to hear you are doing better

Emily
I am curious as to what they did for you in the hospital. I’ve always been an “over my dead body” about going. I should have been involuntarily committed long before I knew about mental illnes, but I threatened my loved ones with violence (murder) and suicide if I tried. Basically I am afraid.

Well, in the hospital everyone is taking care of you and keeping you safe, so a lot of the pressure is off- I could breathe again, knowing I was somewhere where my ability to harm myself was extremely limited. The doctor there did 3 rapid med changes, so much faster than could have been done out-patient. The groups made me get up every day, force me to be around people, learn some coping skills, have a daily routine. The mental health workers helped me process things that were going on and there was always someone safe to talk to. Also, I was barely eating prior to admission, being served meals three times a day got me back in the habit of eating- slowly. There's very little to really be afraid of- getting a bad roommate is really all, and for the most part, roommates are good to neutral. Everyone there is struggling so people typically are nice to each other. I think if you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, or are overwhelmed by life all the time, the hospital can be a great help. Of course some small piece of you has to actually want help- but it can be a very tiny piece. Hope this helps.