Smile, well, it helps if you stand on your head and try to spin around, (kind of like a washer), and churn the ole chemicals up a bit. LOL J/K

I think you mentioned most of it. Try some supplements like vitamin B and omega 3. Avoid alcohol and street drugs. Get plenty of rest. It takes work to get on track but I know you can do it. You are strong and determined. I am with you, whatever you need. Hugs

You have all the tools you need chickie!!!!

YOU HAVE WILLPOWER!!!!

Now you just need to have that attitude every day, every minute....

You should form a support group to make sure we stay on track!!!!

Ohhhhhhhhhhh and recognize and avoid or deal with your triggers. Thats an important one for me. Hugs

Thanks all for your encouragment. Serious mood swing, but right now I'm ready to take on the world...I do NOT want to go through what I just did. I am out of work to get better, not to sit on my ever widening ass and do nothing.

Pdoc next week! Hopefully it turns out well.

Girl there you go! You fight this thing with everything you got. You deserve to be happy and you will be. Just keep that determination and you will get there. One crumb at a time, one day at a time. No matter what the side that keeps you down tells you, you tell it that you are better then that and you will make it and you will come out on top. Cheers to you... You will survive this.

I KNOW you can do this. This is what I do. I have an eating schedule, 5 small meals and count calories. I do not go over 1200 and I measure everything but since I have been doing it for so long. I already know what the measurememts look like.

Exercise, start slow, or you will get burnt out fast.

I take b-12, fish oil

Stretching in a hot shower always calms me.

Take meds at same time everyday

Bed at same time even weekends. Sucks but somewhat helps

Hanna, just do one of the above slowly, then work on the next. I wouldn't do all at first or you will get burnt out and go back to your old ways.

You go girl!!!

Thank you all. I have a schedule that I'd like to keep. I don't expect to actually follow it, it's more like guidelines. If I get 1/2 the stuff done in a day, I'm happy and proud that i've done it.

I just hope this motivation kick sticks with me for as long as possible. I think once I start to see some change for the better it'll push me to keep going. :)

Hanna, you CAN DO THIS! There will always be the ups and downs but you will learn to ride them out with the confidence, this too shall pass. You can function again, talk to the pdoc and get on the road to a more stable life. You've made the commitment to yourself, and you have us to support and encourage you. I will be saying a prayer for you too. oxoxox

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I appreciate the support. Anyone want to jump on the motivation train with me? I'd hate to say I'm hypomanic, chances are not, but I'm sick of being sick (just like everyone). I'm going to make it past this!

You too!

good for u, i don't have any advice not mentioned. But just wanted to show my support!

Keep on Punching Hanna!

It can get soooooo toug sometimes but I live by the motto "Never Give Up". My Best Friend who' also gone through immence trials and hardships always told me ...the sun will come up tmoro....just one day at a time..inc by inch. Sometimes I find it awefully slow....but its in the recovery and reflection mode God talks to us the most. Pray lots love. He gives the strength no one else can and plus....that whirling messenger in yr head that goes round a thousand and athink your going mad...well with God he brings inner peace. I'm by no means a preacher....but he really kept me from the grave and I'm forever grateful. Also I read lots of books on topics where people have beat the odds and conquered ....this provides me with inspiration rather than self pity which erodes our confidence.

My very best to you darl.

Alli ;)

I wouldn't add anything to this except to educate, educate, educate. Make yourself as knowledgeable as possible about your disease, so that you can be so proactive in your tretment. Not just someone following orders, but a part of the team. If you are knowledgeable they'll see you as such and you'll demand the respect of your doctors and therapists and be more likely to be heard by offering good and well thought out researched suggestions. Help them help you. You have the best ideas about your treatment. Make sure your voice is heard it is valuable. ;)

I've only recently discovered how much following a schedule (like you mentioned) helps. You also got tons of great advice and seems you have a good handle on it yourself. Just wanted to add my support.
Hugs, Bobbi

Look at all of us who care ,youve got to make it with that much suppport .You go girl!

i don't know if it helps you, but i've found keeping up my journal & accomplishing 2 goals so far, have really helped me. my first goal was understanding my moods, the second finally getting to know "me" (because of past abuse). the more i journal & understand about myself, the more i'm growing in confidence etc. i'm feeling quite low today, but have the confidence now to know it won't last & have the motivation to keep it all together. i'm with you, hun. Di. xxx