Comments on: Why do I still have mood swings?

By: Rhyannonn C

Rhyannonn C — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:32:03 +0000

The meds don’t seem to be working for you. Try something else or even a higher dosage. Tell your therapist immediately before it gets worse!

I was on bipolar meds for years and everyone of them made me worse … I went threw everything you’re describing except I attempting to kill myself and strangle my sister and I can’t tell you how much of my stuff I broke! So yes before any real damage is done …

By: katewearsconran

katewearsconran — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:55:45 +0000

A lot of your symptoms sound like borderline personality disorder, particularly the mood swings. Have a look on http://www.bpdworld.org. There are stories from other sufferers on there, and go and have a word with your GP. Good luck.

By: Shannon V

Shannon V — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:10:29 +0000

you need to go back to your doctor and tell him what is going on it could be your meds need readjusting

By: jacko

jacko — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:25:54 +0000

See suicidal thoughts and anger at http://www.ezy-build.net. (.net.nz/~shaneris) on pages 4, and 5, and practise the muscular tensing/relaxation method, or one of the other relaxation methods on page 2, and try the EFT. The bipolar section is undergoing reconstruction, but check it out again in a few days. A change of medication may help.

By: David D

David D — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:47:38 +0000

Rapid cycling is a confusing concept. The episodes that define bipolar disorder last much more than an hour. DSM criteria state that a mania lasts a week or more and a depression lasts 2 weeks or more. DSM defines rapid cycling as 4 or more of these episodes in a year. Hourly episodes don’t count toward that.

Yet many if not all bipolars have briefer moods that seem excessively intense. I have with my bipolar disorder. I have had an emotional lability since my first mania at age 34 that I never had before. The thing is these are often reacting to some circumstance, which is usually different from those prolonged episodes that allowed one to be diagnosed as bipolar. Are they all the same thing?

Many patients and doctors say yes, a mood is a mood. So the concept of rapid cycling has been stretched by some to include even moods lasting less than a day, so-called ultradian rapid cycling.

What gets less publicity is that may be wrong. The emotional lability you’re describing here may have a very different pathophysiology than prolonged moods that might have more to do with the time of the year than any circumstance. There are other reasons to be moody than bipolar disorder. Borderline personality is one. Here is an article that discusses the possibility of having both conditions:

http://mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=4185

This doesn’t mean that every bipolar with emotional lability has borderline personality. Borderline personality should be throughout someone’s past, not just showing up with the bipolar disorder. Unfortunately the term “emotional lability” can be misleading also. If you search on that, at least half of what comes back is neurological conditions like pseudobulbar palsy that make neurological patients emotional in a way that has nothing to do with mood disorders.

So while some individual doctors have decided that everyday moodiness in bipolar disorder should be called ultradian rapid cycling, while others would rather call it emotional lability and see it like the moodiness of borderline personality, no one has to wait for everyone to make their minds up to be treated. Your doctor may want to adjust your mood stabilizer, but the symptoms you describe aren’t a failure of your meds. These moods might get better with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is important what you are reacting to with these brief moods. The key may be how you are doing with these psychologically rather than pharmacologically. At the same time antipsychotics can supress just about any feeling so you can work with your doctor on finding a higher dose of Seroquel that supresses some of these brief moods, but not too much of your feelings. There are many things that might help.

By: CATHY J

CATHY J — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:05:41 +0000

I think the best thing for you to do is talk to your doctor about this. It might be the medication, or you may need something to help you control the anger you are experiencing. Only a doctor can tell you what to do though and help you with your medication. You should not have to be feeling so frustrated all the time and angry. Best of luck!

By: shadowofnaruto

shadowofnaruto — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:33:07 +0000

is there any outside problems that could be enhancing your mental problem … you could need a high dosage … i doubt its a bad reaction to meds … try to wear blue clothes (it calms the mind)

By: oddball

oddball — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:51:36 +0000

Since you have taken the first medicine for so much longer than the second medicine, the chemicals could be reacting to the pacification the first medicine already has on your brain. I would tell your doctor about these symtpoms since you are honest and have them documented. The brain and body adapt to the same routine, which causes us to learn to do things subconsciously. Since you take your medication most of the time, your brain may be accustomed to the first medication and may be adjusting to the second, causing these symptoms. I would tell your doctor about these problems and your concerns to get a professional input. If he gives you an answer you don’t like, I would try to see another doctor or a specialist for a second opinion. Hope that helps!