Maelstrom In My Head

Hi, Rick.
We haven't met, but I've been reading your posts for awhile and have noticed that you do have a maelstrom in your head.   Don't take that wrong. . . .I am verrry familiar with depression and with bipolar disorder.   I have been on effexor time release for 16 years, and can honestly say I have NO bad side effects and getting on meds was a wonderful gift not only to myself, but to my family.  My son has bipolar, and that disease is NOT one you want to mess around with.   It's a chemical imbalance that kind words, encouragement, tough love, pulling yourself up by the bootstraps, and thinking good thoughts will cure.   There are some drugs out there that will knock your socks off and then add 50 pounds just for good measure, but the gold standard is still lithium and you may want to talk to your health professionals about trying that.  It comes through in your posts that you are a kind and compassionate man, but you also want to change yourself and the world around you.  Please, please, please seek more intensive help now, because the devastation could be great if you don't.  None of us want to see you spiral out of control.   It's not pretty and recovery from an extended manic period can take months.   If you are just having mood swings, you can try to talk it out.   If you are truly manic depressive you need support; don't go this alone.
I'm so sorry if I sound preachy.   I don't mean to, but as I said. . .my family has been through hell and back and I don't want anyone else to go there if it can be avoided.
The good news is that we are all happy and healthy now.   I see my PCP for refills every six months and my son sees the psych guy at Uof M quarterly to talk and followup on meds.
I wish you the very best; your body is getting healthier all the time and your mind can, too.

Tuna

Tuneyjune:

You aren't preachy, you are caring and direct.  I like that.  Thank you for your encouragement and advice.

RP

I am often reminded of Mal-absorption and have had to change medication and supplements to stronger doses or liquid so that I got there full effect. Having struggled with anxiety and life altering events a little help goes a long way (((((((((((HUGS)))))))))

Jen:

Thank you for responding and for providing good advice.  Your reply reminds me that MN's loss is Ohio's gain. 

Take care,

RP

Hi Rick,
Have you looked into natural healing at all? I think of acupuncture, natural herbs, scents, maybe even Chi-gong (sp) meditation or something on that line. Sometimes man-made medicine is not the answer.
Just a thought..... I hope you can work through this, you deserve to feel better in every aspect!

If you have not already done so, read a little bit about cognitive behavioral therapy (aka CBT).  Many of the people that I work with have found CBT to be a useful tool in managing their symptoms.