Is there any way to fight against the lows of bipolar depression?

I suffer from bipolar depression and very fast mood swings. When I'm out with friends or with family and I suddenly feel really depressed, is there any way to fight it or do I just have to ride it out? I wish I could fight it because I don't want to ruin everyone else's evening.

I write poetry or listen to music that talks about the state that I am in.. it also helps to read metaphysical books or self help books that talk about people with disorders such as yours.. many spiritual people believe that people with mental disorders are high level souls who want to speed up the learning process in life... so look at your manic-depression as a way of your soul developing quickly.. keep your head up!

I think you just need to accept it for what it is, and not try to fight it.

Whenever Ive tried to fight it its just become worse. Id get more agitated and really start hating myself. The anger then became HUGE.

have you tried meditation?

If you maintain the following treatments, you will minimise the severity of depressive episodes. Bipolars should keep a mood chart, and attend therapy, regularly: see section 10, at http://www.ezy-build.net/. (.net.nz/~shaneris) [Type, and enter the following URL, in the usual manner: h t t p : / / w w w . e z y - b u i l d . n e t . n z / ~ s h a n e r i s ] A multidimensional approach to treating depression without medication follows. All except for no. (7.) are safe to use with medication, but not St. John's wort, because of interactions, and it's sensible to check out anything else first with your doctor.

(1.) Take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily: (certified free of mercury) it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or grapefruit, or their FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it.

(2.) Work up slowly to at least 20 minutes minutes of exercise, daily, or 30 - 60 mns, 5 times weekly. Too much exercise can cause stress, which isn't wanted when dealing with depression.

(3.) Occupational therapy (keeping busy allows little time for unproductive introspection, and keeps mental activity out of less desirable areas of the brain).

(4.) Use daily, one of the relaxation methods in sections 2, 2.c, 2.i, or 11, and/or yoga, Tai Chi, and/or the EFT, in sections 2.q, 2.o, and section 53, at http://www.ezy-build.net/. (.net.nz/~shaneris) [Type, and enter the following URL, in the usual manner: h t t p : / / w w w . e z y - b u i l d . n e t . n z / ~ s h a n e r i s ] whichever works best for you.

(5.) Initially, at least, some form of counselling, preferably either Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavio(u)ral Therapy.

(6.) Maintain a mood chart, and daily activities schedule, as per page Z.12, in section 2, at ezy build.

(7.) As options, if desired, either a known, effective herbal remedy, such as St. John's wort, 900 mg (standardised hypericin content) 3 times daily, or supplements, such as SAMe, taken with a vitamin B complex which is certified as being 100% of natural origin, or Inositol (from vitamin and health food stores, some supermarkets, or mail order: view section 55).

Also, 80% of people in the Western world have low magnesium levels, and these are known to cause depression & anxiety. Try the magnesium supplement types shown in http://www.real-depression-help.com/ Some of these will be available in pharmacies, or supermarkets.

An improvement can be noticed in as little as a week, if a deficiency is the cause. Also, iodised salt is preferable to regular salt. This is a shortened version of the much more comprehensive post, which may be seen on page Z.12, in section 2 of ezy build, above, but to gain full appreciation, it's really best to view the whole of section 2.