Okay so I've had this problem since I was...twelve or so. When I'm feeling good I'm relatively open, laugh a lot, happy, etc. But there will be these periods where I just completely lose all motivation to do anything at all, I'll feel incredibly hopeless, helpless and angry with everything. I'll just want to sleep. This can last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. I'll rage or cry or just sit there blankly until suddenly I'll snap out of it and I'll be myself again. This has sort of fluctuated for years. I don't know what to do about it. I got some St. John's Wort to take three times a day because it was getting horrible lately, but I can't take it anymore because of birth control. I've been fine for the past couple of days but I don't know what to do when it happens again. I feel like a completely different person. Thoughts? Anybody have any similar experiences? If so, what did you do about it? Am I just being an angsty teenager? What do?
if it only lasts a couple of days, i think that probably falls under the category of hormonal fluctuations and not depression. Depression is generally defined as feelings of sadness and hopelessness that last longer than two weeks. I think most teenage girls suffer from this. I know I did when I was a teenager. I still experience these feelings actually but I've gotten better at identifying the root of the problem so I can generally snap myself out of it pretty quickly. Birth control helped me a lot with crazy hormones, but I don't think the Pill is healthy so I don't take it anymore. Exercise generally works for me. Without exercise I go absolutely insane. Also pay attention to your diet. An unhealthy diet will send your hormones and brain chemicals into overdrive.
Cool, thanks :] I've been trying these things and it's been a little less, though still reoccurring. I JUST started the pill so hopefully that helps. :]
It probably will. I had a friend whose hormones were so crazy she was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder..spent years trying different bipolar medications that just made her crazier, once she started taking the pill she leveled out completely.
get your ass to the doctor, to have a hormonal blood profile run. if the hormonal profile comes back negative, then get your ass to the psychologist, to have a psychologial profile run. yeah, st.john's wort will cancle out birth control pills, and if that happens... you will be carrying a bun in the oven. since st. john's wort, is unregulated in it's poduction here, in the u.s.a. it is dangerous to take it with birth control. things like lead, steroids, mercury, viagira and, so forth have been found in ramdon samples of it. i have worked with alot of women who were in the same boat like you. almost all of them got better when they got on an anti-depressant or hormonal therapies.
get some st john's wart tea, it tastes great and will help to change your mood. however, if you really dont like the taste, get the pill form. take care xo
I go through phases that seem similar to yours. Although I'd summarize the human experience to essentially be "phases", in my case there's a particularly strong dichotomy between the ups and the downs. Although I seem to be almost the opposite of you. I spend so much time isolated and introverted, floating somewhere in the depression spectrum that when the mania does it, I actually feel nervous and uncomfortable. My advice may not be particularly helpful to someone who isn't me, but I've always been opposed to relying on external remedies or concoctions to moderate my moods. I feel that I should be responsible for the way I feel, and that at first a seemingly helpful hand can turn into a vicious necessity. To me, the act of taking responsibility of our emotions and feelings, even when irrational, builds the foundation of an independent and healthy mind. In other words, if you can weather the worst of storms on your own, then what else can't you do? I'd strongly advise against taking anti-depressants. There is a trend in the psychiatric industry that resembles professionals treating mental disorders as if they were physical ailments. You shouldn't throw a pill at depression in the same way that you can throw antibiotics at an infection. Anti-depressants should be reserved only for highly volatile situations. Talking to a therapist can be of great benefit, but be aware that they will probably attempt to prescribe you medication that you probably don't even need, even within your first visit.
@ Mistress; I can't anymore, they cancel out the birth control pills :/ @neodude; I understand exactly what you mean! The reason I'm only just NOW seeking help is because I felt I should be able to handle it on my own, but it's just been getting worse. I will definitely avoid unnatural anti-depressants at all costs unless there is physical proof that I have a chemical imbalance. For now I rely on weed & melatonin (for sleep).
Well, it's good that you tried to handle it on your own, but there is definitely nothing wrong with seeking help when you feel like you need it. One thing though - have you ever considered that self-medicating with weed and melatonin might actually be contributing to the problem?
shit, my bad Amsler! I clearly only read the first sentence sorry! okay, so my other advice to you is this: as a psyc student we learn that depression is something that usually corrects itself with out treatment after about 8 mos. what your describing sounds less like depression and more like dysphoria, but i would have to ask you many questions based on the good ol' DSM (im being totally sarcasic, as i believe that most of clinical psyc is based on utter bullshit) HOWEVER that is not the same as saying i dont believe depression or other mood disorders exist. Clearly they do. my advice to you is this: focus on the positive. 1) force yourself to smile even when you dont feel like it. research has shown that physical attributes affect mental, so practice good posture, force a smile, force a laugh. 2) engage in activities that make you happy. find hobbies, work hard at school, keep yourself active. we are social beings! be social! 3) acknowledge your feelings of sadness and accept them as a part of yourself. you are normal! allow yourself time to enagage with negative emotions but also put them in perspective. all or nothing attitudes are not good! when youre sad about something bad happening, think about where its place is in your life. dont let it taint every aspect of your daily life. When it rains it does shine! dont forget to see the sun i hope this helps
@ Neodude; Well I've only very recently begun the weed and melatonin, and it's actually helped, haha. When I'm high I can relax and the melatonin helps me get actual restful sleep. @Logan; Will do xP @Mistress; haha no problem. I will take all of this and use it, thank you so much for the help!
I think it would be good to see an MD and get some tests done. While you may not want to take meds, there may be some physical ailment that is causing the problems. If you think the primary cause is something emotional/interpersonal, talk therapy might help. The sudden onset and disappearance suggests something physical. I would also suggest checking out acupuncture and chinese herbal medicine. Also, there is a book by bob flaws called "Curing Depression Naturally with Chinese Medicine" which I recommend http://www.bluepoppy.com/cfwebstore/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=371&ParentCat=33 sunshine, exercise, and laughs all sound good.
