Mood Regulation
Though I have been studying my DBT (mindfulness) workbook I still notice flip flops in my moods. I do use the skill that it is teaching me, but there are times when it just won’t work. I know that I am making progress though and with continued effort, the moods will not flip flop because of a trigger.
To give you and example… I had to drive to a certain side of town and it made me instantly sick physically and mentally. Why? Because that is where I lived when my son was abuse and it brought back horrid memories that I DO NOT want entering my head. I have been over in that area a couple time and it never fails. It is like a like a light switch… my moods will go from great to lethargic and on the verge of tears. Not to mention that my Man can notice something is wrong as well. It is quite disturbing and something I will have to live with for the rest of my life…but will it always be so terribly raw? I hate feeling like I am on a mood seesaw simply because I have gone to that ares of time. I need to take my life back and get rid of that train of thought.
In the meantime, I will continue working in my workbook and put the skills to use.
Related articles
- My Adventure To Med Free- DBT Skills Workbook (bipolarmuse.com)
This is my life through poetry, quotes, and my journal. The intense ride of my ups and downs of life ...and the relentless mood disorders I suffer from.
Muse,
Struggle. Sometimes peace, sometimes pain. But to be aware and to seek strength- as you do- is the way, the only way. And along your way, as you share your struggle with us, you give us inspiration, as we send love and caring back to you.
Tom
December 23, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Thank you Tom… I appreciate your kind words. Through my struggles, I hope that someone could benefit. ♥
December 23, 2012 at 1:47 PM
Could also be a trigger related to PTSD. Try not to judge the feeling as good or bad or whether you should or should not feel it. Accept that it is there and know that no matter how bad it feels, it will pass. It Is accepting that you feel excruciating pain and sickness, but knowing that it will pass. If you embrace it, ride the wave of emotion, and refuse to judge it, it will decrease in intensity. DBT won’t take away all mood swings, but it will give you lots of skills to handle them and ultimately decrease the intensity. I hope this helps. I teach DBT groups. I am thinking about you.
December 23, 2012 at 2:17 PM
I never thought of PtSD, I wonder if that is in my records at all. It certainly is difficult and makes me feel like I have take 5 steps back, but I know that with due time, this will lessen, ♥
December 24, 2012 at 1:39 AM
It is a see-saw but you are fighting and aware. Your working on becoming. Fighting the tightrope between Brilliance and Madness is a fine line. The pain and memories are inside of you and impossible to dismiss. How they effect you is what you are working towards in a very brave way. It is those moments when that strange feeling comes on that you know something is changing inside of you and you are heading toward something that may or may not be a good place. It is like riding a high wave. Just try balancing on your board and seek the support of your mate or whomever you can turn to. They will help guide you to safety. I just signed into The Icarus Project. They give you a whole new perspective on looking at bipolar. Quite enlightening. Maybe you are aleady aware of the TIP. If not let me know and I will point you in their (our) direction. Read some of their .pdf last night/rather early this am. Was having one weird night and it helped reading their site and the story of their origin. Love to you for being you. Also, for your bravery and creativity. jk ps. I stopped by for a ♥. You have to teach me how you make them. Love and peace.
December 23, 2012 at 5:28 PM
ps. how do you make it snow on your site? i want it to snow on my site but can’t figure it out.
jk
December 23, 2012 at 5:30 PM
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I have never heard of the lacuras project but would love more info! The snow is on you preference section,,, it is small and can be hard to miss. If you can;t find it, let me know and I will help you. ♥
December 24, 2012 at 1:44 AM
My suggestion that you evoke your trigger emotion *mentally*. Sit with this emotion (which is both “virtual” and “intentional”. Do not run avay or try to avoid it. Examine it without fear. THIS IS CRUCIAL! After a time, it will dissolve of itself.
Repeat this exercise several times (not immediately or, for example, morning and evening) until the stimules trigger can be evoked without the unwanted, and by now unnecesary emotion.
Et voila. You are, after all. the captain of you own ship.
December 28, 2012 at 5:26 PM
Great advice Ben, I will put this into practice. I love your comments because you are very wise and always have suggestions for me. I truly appreciate that.
December 29, 2012 at 9:56 AM
Do let me know how you get on.
December 29, 2012 at 12:10 PM
absolutely
December 29, 2012 at 12:59 PM