Hi, I just joined. I'm luckily not in crisis at the moment- I had a rough week (my father died on March 5th, and I've been caring for my mother, who has a broken wrist), but I'm back at work and everyone has been very supportive.
I actually suffered a lot prior to December 2014- I would have the worst episodes of depression, I felt awful, I could feel them coming on and braced for them, but it always left me weeping and absolutely miserable for days on end. I managed, but I think I alienated friends and family who just can't get it.
Anyway, I was diagnosed bipolar in late November 2014, read some books on bipolar disorder, and stumbled across a nutritional supplement which helped me (and it might help others who have low serotonin levels). It's 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, a non-prescription supplement you can get at Bulk Barn which is a serotonin precursor (it gets converted to serotonin in your body). If you have low serotonin, it might help- for me, it really took the edge off how terrible I felt when depressed. I still get depressed, but it isn't nearly so awful as before. If you don't have low serotonin, it might make you angry or aggressive, so try to get checked first. If you want to tinker, stay with the low dose. I take the smallest dose I could find- 50 mg, one tablet every morning. Don't mess with taking lots and lots- like with any supplement, more is not always better!
I also recently was diagnosed with B12 deficiency. One side effect of this is psychosis. I am hoping my frequent and very disturbing delusional episodes willl be reduced in a few months- apparently B12 supplementation (I take a sublingual tablet, 1000 mcg, as my doctor prescribed) takes about 2 months to take effect in this regard. I do feel better and more energetic, so that's something, anyway. It doesn't hurt for you to ask your doctor to check your B12 levels if you're feeling lethargic and suffer from a lot of delusional thinking- can't hurt, might help.
I've read some truly wrenching stories on this forum, and I may myself offer a few of them in time. I hope my little notes about supplements offer some hope/help for people who suffer the same symptoms. I also take antipsychotics, but I find they aren't always enough, particularly when life throws a curve ball.
Luck and love to you all.
Liz
I actually suffered a lot prior to December 2014- I would have the worst episodes of depression, I felt awful, I could feel them coming on and braced for them, but it always left me weeping and absolutely miserable for days on end. I managed, but I think I alienated friends and family who just can't get it.
Anyway, I was diagnosed bipolar in late November 2014, read some books on bipolar disorder, and stumbled across a nutritional supplement which helped me (and it might help others who have low serotonin levels). It's 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, a non-prescription supplement you can get at Bulk Barn which is a serotonin precursor (it gets converted to serotonin in your body). If you have low serotonin, it might help- for me, it really took the edge off how terrible I felt when depressed. I still get depressed, but it isn't nearly so awful as before. If you don't have low serotonin, it might make you angry or aggressive, so try to get checked first. If you want to tinker, stay with the low dose. I take the smallest dose I could find- 50 mg, one tablet every morning. Don't mess with taking lots and lots- like with any supplement, more is not always better!
I also recently was diagnosed with B12 deficiency. One side effect of this is psychosis. I am hoping my frequent and very disturbing delusional episodes willl be reduced in a few months- apparently B12 supplementation (I take a sublingual tablet, 1000 mcg, as my doctor prescribed) takes about 2 months to take effect in this regard. I do feel better and more energetic, so that's something, anyway. It doesn't hurt for you to ask your doctor to check your B12 levels if you're feeling lethargic and suffer from a lot of delusional thinking- can't hurt, might help.
I've read some truly wrenching stories on this forum, and I may myself offer a few of them in time. I hope my little notes about supplements offer some hope/help for people who suffer the same symptoms. I also take antipsychotics, but I find they aren't always enough, particularly when life throws a curve ball.
Luck and love to you all.
Liz
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