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What Causes Elevated Mood And Periods Of Depression?
Question: I think I may be bipolar , I have suffered depression in my teenage years , I am 45 now and still although I don't feel depressed and don't feel the need for antidepressants , I just don't feel right . I tend to drink alcohol because it stops me from feeling and thinking so much . When I drink I don't know when to stop and end up that intoxicated I don't remember , my husband tells me I become someone else ! He tells me I become very aggressive and violent . I woke up this morning in the spare bedroom with a black eye , my husband has a black eye too ! Apparently I attacked him while he was sleeping with a candlelabra he took it off me but said I kept trying to fight with him . I asked him what prevoked my behaviour he maintains he just went to bed and nothing had taken place before that . This is quite distressing I don't know what happens to me during these episodes . I run a small business and seem to function quite normally in work mode but I know it's all an act , underneath my mind is always racing and I always feel agitated but I know depression and this feeling isn't like that .i feel more anxious and overwhelmed , lethargic and stuck in an exercise wheel going back not forward . Sounds strange now I re- read this but it's what I feel . Do you think I should seek professional help . Regards XXXXXXX .
Brief Answer:
need some details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear XXXXXXX
Welcome to HealthcareMagic.
I have read your details and understand your concerns.
Before we reach to a definite conclusion, I would like to some more details about your health issues:
1. You mentioned alcohol stops you from thinking and feeling so much. Can you please elaborate what do you feel and think more often? The nature and content of your thoughts?
2. Since when are you taking alcohol? How often do you drink? Do you become aggressive and violent frequently after drinking? Do you have any issues with your husband? Any other stress?
3. You feel anxious and agitated. What particularly provokes this?
4. Are you sometime euphoric, overjoyous, feel like on top of world, extravagant? How is your mood mostly in the day?
Hows your sleep?
5. You mentioned you have racing mind. Do you get new and fancy ideas?
Bipolar disorder classically has manic and depressive phases.
However, some forms of depression like recurrent depression, agitated depression are believed to denote underlying bipolar disorder.
The treatment protocols differ in such cases.
Kindly provide the answers to these questions so that we can decide whether you need professional help or not. If yes, then what kind of treatment would be best for you.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks.
need some details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear XXXXXXX
Welcome to HealthcareMagic.
I have read your details and understand your concerns.
Before we reach to a definite conclusion, I would like to some more details about your health issues:
1. You mentioned alcohol stops you from thinking and feeling so much. Can you please elaborate what do you feel and think more often? The nature and content of your thoughts?
2. Since when are you taking alcohol? How often do you drink? Do you become aggressive and violent frequently after drinking? Do you have any issues with your husband? Any other stress?
3. You feel anxious and agitated. What particularly provokes this?
4. Are you sometime euphoric, overjoyous, feel like on top of world, extravagant? How is your mood mostly in the day?
Hows your sleep?
5. You mentioned you have racing mind. Do you get new and fancy ideas?
Bipolar disorder classically has manic and depressive phases.
However, some forms of depression like recurrent depression, agitated depression are believed to denote underlying bipolar disorder.
The treatment protocols differ in such cases.
Kindly provide the answers to these questions so that we can decide whether you need professional help or not. If yes, then what kind of treatment would be best for you.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
When I drink , which is most days I admit,it is to stop worrying about life so much ie guilt that I should be exercising , not smoking , eating healthier even trying to be a better person and I really stress about the state of our world , wanting to buy a nice piece of land with a good water source to have a hope of survival if/ when all of us humans start killing each other ! .
My husband and I work together in our business so I suppose we spend to much time together but we,black eyes and all do love each other sounds macabre I know .
I feel agitated a lot , I think because I like to try and control and this frustrates me because I know I should just try to work with people not dominate . Sometimes I feel like I'm boiling with rage and I want to just run away to a calm river in the middle of the bush ! With a beer .
Sleep is erratic , some nights I don't move other nights I lye in a sort of zombie state and can't shut down to rest ( I take herbal sleeping pills , at times they work )
Yes my mind is never still unless I'm intoxicated . I think of all sorts , a lot about the piece of land with the good water sorce and sometimes I think about aliens picking me up in thier ship ! True .
I sort of wish I had euphoric stages but I don't feel particularly elated , more a bit flat . I have tried to answer you honestly am I crazy !
Regards XXXXXXX .
My husband and I work together in our business so I suppose we spend to much time together but we,black eyes and all do love each other sounds macabre I know .
I feel agitated a lot , I think because I like to try and control and this frustrates me because I know I should just try to work with people not dominate . Sometimes I feel like I'm boiling with rage and I want to just run away to a calm river in the middle of the bush ! With a beer .
Sleep is erratic , some nights I don't move other nights I lye in a sort of zombie state and can't shut down to rest ( I take herbal sleeping pills , at times they work )
Yes my mind is never still unless I'm intoxicated . I think of all sorts , a lot about the piece of land with the good water sorce and sometimes I think about aliens picking me up in thier ship ! True .
I sort of wish I had euphoric stages but I don't feel particularly elated , more a bit flat . I have tried to answer you honestly am I crazy !
Regards XXXXXXX .
Brief Answer:
Depression more than bipolar disorder.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back.
I have read the whole description given by you.
There is nothing crazy in this.
In my opinion, these symptoms are more suggestive of depression rather than bipolar disorder.
You might not be having that typical sadness of depression, but I still feel its more of depression.
A face to face thorough examination by a psychiatrist is what is needed.
Before the rage, anxiety and your racing minds start affecting your life to the extent that you are unable to work and deal socially, its better to get in touch with a professional.
An antidepressant drug therapy, psychological relaxation treatment like progressive muscle relaxation and anger management and alcohol detoxification is what is needed.
Do take care of your diet. Eat green vegetables and fruits. Drink plenty of water.
Spare some time for yourself. Engage in some of your likings, be it reading, painting or whatever.
Hope you find my suggestions helpful.
Feel free to ask further.
You can also approach me directly if you have any more queries in future.
I wish you well.
Thanks.
Depression more than bipolar disorder.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back.
I have read the whole description given by you.
There is nothing crazy in this.
In my opinion, these symptoms are more suggestive of depression rather than bipolar disorder.
You might not be having that typical sadness of depression, but I still feel its more of depression.
A face to face thorough examination by a psychiatrist is what is needed.
Before the rage, anxiety and your racing minds start affecting your life to the extent that you are unable to work and deal socially, its better to get in touch with a professional.
An antidepressant drug therapy, psychological relaxation treatment like progressive muscle relaxation and anger management and alcohol detoxification is what is needed.
Do take care of your diet. Eat green vegetables and fruits. Drink plenty of water.
Spare some time for yourself. Engage in some of your likings, be it reading, painting or whatever.
Hope you find my suggestions helpful.
Feel free to ask further.
You can also approach me directly if you have any more queries in future.
I wish you well.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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