How I did it: It may have taken me 3 years to get to a point where I felt comfortable enough with my anxiety and where I could control my Manic Depression but it was worth the struggle. I reached a point in my life where I hit rock bottom. I had nothing left and yet I still had everything to lose. I had my new born son and my husband but in myself, I lost everything.

So I went with my husband to see my family doctor. He recommended me to another doctor who specifically deals with these kinds of things. I made my appointment with her and I have been seeing her ever since! I started off really bad and she was patient, kind, and she listened. She worked with me through everything and I am finally to the point where we have found the correct meds and dosages for me.

Lessons & tips:

• Make sure you are compfortable with your doctor. Make sure they are friendly, patient and they listen to you, not rushing you.
• Give you meds time to work. They will not work over night. Some meds can take up to 3 months before you will notice anything so please listen to your doctors instructions. Don't give up!! Everyone is different, everyone needs different meds and dosages. Give yourself & your doctor the time to figure it all out no matter how hard it gets. In the end it will be worth it.
• Tell someone. Do not keep this hidden. Do not try and do all of this alone. Tell a friend, a loved one, family, someone you can really trust. The more support you have to help you through this it will be easier. Even one person can make a whole world of a difference.
• Work on yourself. Medication isn't just going to fix you in a snap. You're going to need to work on your meds along with the inner workings of your mind. Yes, it is a struggle, it can be hard and you will always need to work on youself but the fight is worth it. See a therapist, talk to loved ones, vent, and really explore yourself. Which leads me to:
• KEEP A JOURNAL. I can not tell you how much keeping a journal has really helped. I started off with not even knowing how to write in one, let alone about myself. And now it just flows out of me. Keep it so you can keep track of things, find hidden fears, write nagging thoughts so you can put it on paper and when you see it you'll have room for more clearer thinking. It'll even help you to problem solve. Plan things. Write it out then when you're calm, go back and read it and you'll never know what you could discover.

Resources: I am dead serious about being mentally healthier and HAPPIER. I may be doing good now but it is still something we will always need to work on. Here are some books (and other things) that I have read and used to help me through everything. Even to help inspire me. I hope some of it could be of some use to you.

1. Loved ones... you can not go wrong there.
2.  Your doctor... they will become your best friend. haha
3.  meds - make sure you taken them. Follow instructions, and listen to your doctor about everything they have to say.
4. The Depression Workbook: A Guide For Living With Depression And Manic Depression Second Addition. <---I am dead serious. That book can really help. But you can't just read it and expect to get better. You have to do as the title says: A WORK BOOK. You have to work your way through everything.
   
5. The Relaxation And Stress Reduction Workbook.
6. Any books on Bi-polar disorder. I also recommend having your family read & study about manic depression as well. The more informed they are the better they can help. There are books out there specifically for that.
   
7. A support group. Talk to your doctor about any local groups that meet up for this or classes  you can take where they better inform you on this and help you through everything.
   
8. Keep a journal. Try to write in it everyday. It you don't know what to write about, who cares, just write.
   
9. Take Omega - 3 pills. They help with the good chemicals in your brain to get flowing.
10. Online support. There are plenty of websites out there dedicated to people so they can connect with others just like them. They can seek advice, share advice, Write blogs to tell of your struggles and others will help you, chat rooms, forums, etc etc. 
11. The book: Is It Time To Make A Change? Positive Thoughts For When Life Presents You with a New Direction special edition by Deanna Beisser
    

If anyone else would like help or has questions feel free to ask me. I hope this doesn't turn out to be too long!

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Jul 04, 04:45PM PDT | 1 comment | 3 cheers