head racing help!

[shelly]

Is head racing a symptom of bipolar??? suffering really bad depression at the moment I can't get my head to stop racing,which is driving me insane. I have had two high periods laSTING 2 OR 3 MONTHS then it is typically follwed by really bad depression and I struggle to get out of bed.

When Im high I feel great like I can take on the world, I feelattractive and full of energy. Right now I'm struggling at work and finding it hard to face talk to people as I work in a school its so difficult. My kids are having a hard time Im snappy and irritable and Im like that all day. I just can't shift this mood its so frustrating. Does anyone suffer the same? Im avoiding people and have no friends as well.

 

[lonelyandlost]

You sound very much like me except for the highs, I don't get those..

I am very snappy and irritable too. When like that I tend to try and do some relaxation techniques and breathing techniques.

I too avoid people and have no friends at all and do all I can to avoid the neighbours etc, which doesn't really help.
When you do find something that does help lift the mood, even slightly write what it is down, like in a little jotter or something and when it happens you will have a little bit of something to go back to when you cant think of anything else to help.

 

[scottsblue]

i think alot of people struggle with ther head raceing threw thoughts, but like in your case wher it seems quit bad i think you should see a doctor.
i injured myself when my thoughts were raceing really fast and it could of been fatal so i`d just go see your doctor before it gets any wers.

 

[shelly]

Thanks for your advice

Just wanted to say thanks for your advice

 

[daffy]

i agree with scottblue. Talk it over with your gp. They will have heard it before.I just need the slightest thing to trigger my head offand i dont think i be asleep b4 6am

You may just need to learn som relaxation techniques to help u get off to sleep

 

[daffy]

see im still awake

 

[shelly]

he he!

see im still awake

thats bizarre I was awake at 3.30 pm I wouldn't mind but i did a ten mile walk with wk ..lol
I should have logged on we could have had a chat x

 

[Hope4you]

Head Racing can be a sig of hypomania or mixed mood

Is head racing a symptom of bipolar??? suffering really bad depression at the moment I can't get my head to stop racing,which is driving me insane. I have had two high periods laSTING 2 OR 3 MONTHS then it is typically follwed by really bad depression and I struggle to get out of bed.

When Im high I feel great like I can take on the world, I feelattractive and full of energy. Right now I'm struggling at work and finding it hard to face talk to people as I work in a school its so difficult. My kids are having a hard time Im snappy and irritable and Im like that all day. I just can't shift this mood its so frustrating. Does anyone suffer the same? Im avoiding people and have no friends as well.

Hi there,


You said that you were depressed but that your head was racing. It might be possible that you are starting to go high or are in a mixed mood where you have the racing thoughts but an underlying depressive mood. It's the same when peope are often very itrritable when low. The irritability is more a feature of hypomania ( Dysphoric not euphoric type ), so this may really be a mixed mood ( I think) which is depression and mania or hypomania working at the same time. do you a have lot of restlessness or other hypomanic symptoms but accompnied by a low mood. Or is it pervasive, intrusive negative thoughts that won't go away rather than actual racing. Sorry to ask so many questions. Just trying to gets some clarity. have you seen your psychiatrist about these and had your medications reviewed ?

Walking and regular relaxation, deep breathing and yoga may well all help to calm things down, and cutting out caffeine particularly and stimulants such as sugar based foods , reducing or stopping all together, gradually though not suddenly as you can experience withdrawal headaches can really help calm thoughts and improve sleep. Reduce evening TV, esepecially an hour before bedtime, and [perhaps stop computer use after say for example 6pm, to give your brain time to switch off from being over stimulated.

I would talk all this over with your psychaitrist and make sure he is a good one and knows his stuff if not ask for a referral to a specialist mood disorders clinic. There is a good one in London at the Maudsley Hopsital run by Professor Ann Farmer.

 

[Hope4you]

For Lonely and Lost - Reply - Me Too but fir different reasons as a partner / carer.

You sound very much like me except for the highs, I don't get those..

I am very snappy and irritable too. When like that I tend to try and do some relaxation techniques and breathing techniques.

I too avoid people and have no friends at all and do all I can to avoid the neighbours etc, which doesn't really help.
When you do find something that does help lift the mood, even slightly write what it is down, like in a little jotter or something and when it happens you will have a little bit of something to go back to when you cant think of anything else to help.

Do you attend a Bipolar Support Group?

I know that having some friends to talk to and who will not judge you and who understand the symptoms and illness you are experiencing and how it acn affect your daily life in every aspect can really help. You sound very lonely and isolated which will not help you remain well. I liked your idea of writing down little things that help , like a list of what works, something you can return to as a reminder when in need of a pick you up.

It is so important to have just 1 0r 2 friends atleast who you can confide in or share with or have a good moan to, or who can encourage you to take part in some healthy life affirming activities which will help you cope through the low periods . Bear in mind that irritability and snapping can also be a sign of hypomania which people aften don't recognise. It can also be a feature of a mixed mood , these are common, when there are some dysphoric, unpleasant angry agitated feelings creeping into a depressive mood at the same time. Best to have your treatment reasessed. to. See previous post.

Take care. let me know how you get on with making some new friends. Its sounds as essential as any other aspect of your life. Loneliness can be very hard to bear and is not necessary. If you are inadvertantly pushing people away with your mood or attitude then you need to ask for help with this and also get meds adjusted or reviewed. Have you tried counselling specific fir bipolar disorder. Have you tried explaining to people what you are dealing with so they gain further understanding and ask them not to take your snapping seriously or personally perhaps. You may also need to work realy hard on observing your own reactions and catching them in time if at all possible.

If this is not within your control with practice then some CBT counselling and treatment adjustments can help, or maybe anger management, making sure you get enough sleep, relaxation techniques, starting a new hobby, or social activity , cutting out stimulants that can increase irritability ( Particulary Caffeine and sugar ) )and interfere with much needed sleep. Make sure you eat regular meals to avoid low blood sugar caused by low carbohydrate levels which can trigger irritability further and low mood, or swings of anger amd intolerance or tearfulness and shaking.

YOu do Not need actual sugary foods to raise blood sugar as they cause too quick a rise then a sudden fall. Long acting carbs and small amounts of protein with each meal help far better and of course plenty of fruits and veg to ensure the essential minerals and vitamins.

You may already be trying all these things to help yourself, so apologies if I am suggesting things you already know about, and are implementing ,but hey , it may help someone else too to reiterate them if they read these posts. I know I too need reminding sometimes by frineds to do things even though I know it on a theoretical level.

Talking of which I must do the same now and go for a nice relaxing walk. Take care, but do let me know how you get on. I too feel very alone trying to cope with my partner's Bipolar and have to push myself to be with people. We are all in this together.

I am try to jot down things that help me too so thanks for that suggestion. I keep them in my head bit committing them to paper might have more impact and remind me and is a positive step.

 

[Hope4you]

waiting game for mania to pass, watching love slip awayfrom you,and finding no waythrough to Loved1

see im still awake

What a positive way of looking at things. Someone once said to me Darkness is just a temporary absence of light, so hang in there. Light always follows darkness.

What would advise about the waiting game though for carers waiting for the manic storms to pass ! Any ideas ! Its agonising and so frustrating

 

[shelly]

thanks for all the good advice

Hi, Thanks for all your advice. I didnt sleep too well but managed to drag myself out for a 4 mile run. I have an appointment with my gp in a weeks time she is refering me bk to the hospital for an appointment which is good news.
I think I push people away when I'm in this depressive mood. I have got a friend at work I might talk to I'm just afraid of the response I will get. I just keep thinking things in my head all the time different thoughts. I keep beating myself up about my weight the way I look. My self -esteem is soooo low its horrible. I really hate myself at the moment. I just keep worrying as well about everything things that might never happen.

Im going to change my diet and see if that helps also try and keep the running up. I haven't actually been diagnosed with B P but my dad was manic depressive and was in hospital at one point because of it. I don't know if there is a bipolar group in this area it would be so good to meet other people if thats what I have got. I just need people to understand. This website is great I don't feel so alone any more.
We are going for a family walk now which I'm going to try and enjoy. Thanks again you are lovely kind people