Drediok:
The reason I mentioned the mania was because of the mention of high-highs and low-lows. Depression, imh&ho is rarely accompanied by high-highs. That is mania, especially when it goes on for weeks. Bi-polar and depression may go together, but depression not accompanied by mania is not bi-polar. That I'm aware of, even semi-ocassional mania is not a clinical and singular diagnoses of depression.
I'm very familiar with panic attacks, unfortunately. They are hell, but there are literally 100's if not more non-medicinal interventions. A good psychiatrist will require patients to attend psychotherapy if they want the benzos to keep coming. The biggest problem with benzos is there is nothing to take to lessen withdrawal except less benzodiazepines. Alcoholics withdrawing have it slightly better, at least they can take valium until the risk of death is over.
Meridian tapping, acupuncture, group therapy, walking, exercising, yoga, meditation, etc. all have some result on anxiety disorder. They may not "cure" it alone, but they certainly don't make it worse. Combinations of those interventions work even better. Controlled breathing may be the most effective way to combat anxiety, it takes a lot of practice. But as I've heard one doctor say, it's impossible to have a panic attack if breathing is controlled - as hyperventilation is the predominant symptom that causes anxiety to escalate to panic.
Obviously everyone's mmv.
Btw, about marijuana, in some ppl it can actually cause anxiety and compromise coping mechanisms.
Here was the problem. Inexperience on our part. The depression was prevalent. It was the part everyone was concerned with. The mania wasnt noticed as it often isnt because Hey She's feeling GREAT again.
Also you must well know there are varying levels and symptoms of mania including but not exclusive to at least three of the following symptoms:
1 Increased physical and mental activity and energy
2 Exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
3 Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
4 Decreased need for sleep without becoming tired
5 Grandiose thoughts, extreme sense of self-importance
6 Racing speech, racing thoughts, impulsiveness, poor judgment
7 Reckless behavior such as spending sprees, impulsive business decisions, erratic driving and sexual indiscretions
8 In severe cases, delusions and hallucinations
Depending on the levels and combinations. On the surface it may not appear as much to the inexperienced eye. And hey. They arent curled up in a fetal position! As a family member you have to take a step back and look at in from a non emotional perspective. example Ok. she's not wracked with depression. But she is suddenly overly upbeat as though she can conquer the world and energetic even though she isnt sleeping much. She also just suddenly jumped up,went out and bought a new broom and a new set of dishes even though we already have 3 brooms and we just got a new dinnerware set that she picked out 3 months ago. Suddenly everything is about her.
Now here's the kicker. You can be doing fine for months on the meds. Then suddenly you can go one way or the other and with Bi polar one usually follows the other but not always. Particularly if caught and the meds are adjusted. Though typically a manic episode is more often then not followed by a crash. This often happens because during a manic cycle the patient often reduces or stops taking their meds altogether. Because hey. They feel great What do they need meds for?
When they go full blown manic the family can do what they can to try and influence the situation but they are essentially along for the ride. Especially if you have outside people that often unwittingly become enablers. The best they can hope for is to conduct damage control and hope nothing irreparable relationship wise has been done.
I myself became all too familiar with panic attacks during her last and absolute worst manic phase ever. Eventually they went away on their own with the help of a customer that just happened to be a therapist herself. Im not very religious. But someone or some thing sent her into my life at that particular moment. She was most helpful not only in just talking to but in predicting almost to the letter everything my wife was doing or going to do which in itself helped a lot.
Yea. It is hell. Feels like an earthquake going on inside your body. Find yourself taking sudden extra breaths for no reason and a constant feeling of fear you cant just shake off.
Must be terrible for those that get them regularly
