Goodbye Sudden Moodswings: Hello Stability, Peace & Life
“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Are you one of two million American adults who feel as though you are on an emotional rollercoaster and wish you could stop the ride, but are at a loss as to how to do that? Some of us are born with a chemical makeup that may need extra assistance in enabling us to live life with a greater sense of stability and peace.
Yes, you can feel good. You can even learn how to move from feelings of depression, sadness or intense anger to feelings of joy and peace, but in a more appropriately timed manner, rather than with suddenness that catches you by surprise!
The FIRST STEP: MAINTAIN THE HOPE THAT THIS, TOO, SHALL PASS AND LIFE WILL BE GOOD. Keep in mind that you are blessed to live in the 21st century in which science has developed new medications which have restored to millions a quality of life that would not have been possible a century ago.
The SECOND STEP: Recognize that you are a unique being, born with great potential and many gifts– and that all of this is absolutely perfect. Accept that this is one aspect of who you are – rather than pretending that this part of you belongs to someone else – because it does not! In fact, honor all aspects of who you are; own each with respect and admiration.
The THIRD STEP: Become aware of how your mood shifts affect you and your life. Become conscious of what triggers these shifts within you, and become even more aware of how you respond to them, including what you say to yourself when you notice you are shifting downward or upward and how you are behaving, as well as what you are feeling while you are shifting. This beginning phase of accepting and taking responsibility for becoming more conscious of what is taking place within you in response to your environment is a KEY STEP.
A FOURTH STEP and key piece of this equation: Visit your family doctor, just as you would with any physical issue which disturbs your daily quality of life. Let him or her know what you are experiencing, noticing, and becoming conscious of and how this is interfering with your quality of life.
A FIFTH STEP: Your Ask your doctor to recommend a psychiatrist for you to see – and not because you are crazy!!! But because you are lucky enough to live in a time when we have medications available that can restore a healthy chemical balance to your life. Remember, you are an amazing being who has much to do during this lifetime and, in order to do it, it is helpful to have a re-stabilization of your mood or a balancing of your chemicals.
Now, here’s the thing: If you do not feel comfortable with your psychiatrist, find another with whom you do feel comfortable. This is the doctor who will be suggesting medications for you to try until you find the right medication or combination of medications which can help you stabilize your mood. And be sure to be patient with this process. It usually takes time to determine just the right amounts of the medications that work best for you.
TO BE CONTINUED…Part 2
Susan Apollon
Author of “Touched By The Extraordinary”
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