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Confidence and despair

FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Posts: 12,223
edited February 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
Who fluctuates between these two states of disposition, to extremes, and how do such turns of heart and mood manifest themselves? Are there external or internal triggers that send you plummeting?
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  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:
    Who fluctuates between these two states of disposition, to extremes, and how do such turns of heart and mood manifest themselves?

    Yes.

    I guess it's manic or comatose for me.
    FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:
    Are there external or internal triggers that send you plummeting?

    Yes.
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • imspinninimspinnin Posts: 933
    I don't know about you but my reasoning for my fluxuation in moods is me being a true Gemini...:o
    If I could be anything in the world I would be your teardrop...I would be born in your eyes, live on your cheeks, and die on your lips.
  • Jeremy1012Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    Yes.

    Regularly.
    My mother thought I was perhaps bipolar a while back. I just shrugged it off at first and went and sat in a corner with my head in my hands. Then I got up and headbutted her.
    :D

    but seriously, yes I feel like that often.
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    Fins, are you ok? :)
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Posts: 12,223
    Oh, I'm fine. I'm just curious.
  • justamjustam Posts: 21,410
    FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:
    Who fluctuates between these two states of disposition, to extremes, and how do such turns of heart and mood manifest themselves? Are there external or internal triggers that send you plummeting?

    Don't most people?

    My moods can be influenced by people around me and things that happen for good or not so good. I try to maintain a steady view most of the time (which usually means retaining my confidence) but sometimes my hormones get the better of me and I have to work to stay reasonable. :p

    I find that as long as I can remain rational in my actions, I can keep myself on course. Even when I'm struggling with my moodiness, I can stay okay as long as I don't act out off the deep end. :D:)

    Were you wondering about mood swings?
    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&
  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Posts: 12,223
    justam wrote:
    Don't most people?

    My moods can be influenced by people around me and things that happen for good or not so good. I try to maintain a steady view most of the time (which usually means retaining my confidence) but sometimes my hormones get the better of me and I have to work to stay reasonable. :p

    I find that as long as I can remain rational in my actions, I can keep myself on course. Even when I'm struggling with my moodiness, I can stay okay as long as I don't act out off the deep end. :D:)

    Were you wondering about mood swings?

    Yes, I'm interested. I want to hear people's experiences.
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:
    Oh, I'm fine. I'm just curious.

    Good. :)
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:
    Yes, I'm interested. I want to hear people's experiences.

    Well I guess I handle my swings much better now that I'm older and do everything I can to keep myself on an even keel.

    I keep an eye on the calendar and what time of my cycle I'm in, which makes a huge difference because when I swing low and feral I know it's because of where I'm at with my hormones and it makes it easier knowing it will pass and that I'm not completely nuts.

    I try to eat right, exercise, meditate and do things that bring me happiness, all of which keeps me more even and lessens the swings.

    Having said all that, the last few months have been pure hell for me and even though I know why (external influence) and I'm doing all I can to work my way through to happy and confident again, it's still exhausting and I don't come even close to beating it a lot of days. Even being aware and having a good box of tools that would normally help, still I realize that some things just have to be worked through over time. Things are better today than yesterday but they may be shitful again tomorrow and all my efforts will be for naught. Sometimes it is only time and plodding along that will make the difference I guess.
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • inmyrvminmyrvm Posts: 933
    women
    "Fuck the talkin' let's start rockin" - Eddie Vedder 9-5-00 Pittsburgh
    4/26/03 Pittsburgh 5/3/03 State College 7/12/03 Hershey 10/1/04 Reading 9/28/05 Pittsburgh 5/20/06 Cleveland 6/23/06 Pittsburgh 6/22/08 DC

    friends don't let friends listen to good charlotte
  • the wolfthe wolf Posts: 7,027
    Jeanie wrote:
    Well I guess I handle my swings much better now that I'm older and do everything I can to keep myself on an even keel.

    I keep an eye on the calendar and what time of my cycle I'm in, which makes a huge difference because when I swing low and feral I know it's because of where I'm at with my hormones and it makes it easier knowing it will pass and that I'm not completely nuts.

    I try to eat right, exercise, meditate and do things that bring me happiness, all of which keeps me more even and lessens the swings.

    Having said all that, the last few months have been pure hell for me and even though I know why (external influence) and I'm doing all I can to work my way through to happy and confident again, it's still exhausting and I don't come even close to beating it a lot of days. Even being aware and having a good box of tools that would normally help, still I realize that some things just have to be worked through over time. Things are better today than yesterday but they may be shitful again tomorrow and all my efforts will be for naught. Sometimes it is only time and plodding along that will make the difference I guess.

    i agree with most of this. its day by day for me. in fact today is very low for me, to the point where i cant really even put it into words, (which sucks), so thats why im just stealing your post.

    bipolar without meds sucks bigtime. i need a job just for insurance so i can get back on the meds.

    yeah, right now life just sucks pretty much.
    Peace, Love.

    "To question your government is not unpatriotic --
    to not question your government is unpatriotic."
    -- Sen. Chuck Hagel
  • beebalmdancerbeebalmdancer Posts: 72
    FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:
    Who fluctuates between these two states of disposition, to extremes, and how do such turns of heart and mood manifest themselves? Are there external or internal triggers that send you plummeting?


    For me it's more like wanting to take multiple naps or wanting to draw/do housework. Sometimes it is because of other people (mostly my kids) for each extreme :) , sometimes it's because I feel like crap and sometimes it's because I feel the need to do something worthwhile rather than becoming a blanket for my bed ;) .
    Deb/Bee

    myspace.com/DebCharlottesville
  • beebalmdancerbeebalmdancer Posts: 72
    justam wrote:
    Don't most people?

    My moods can be influenced by people around me and things that happen for good or not so good. I try to maintain a steady view most of the time (which usually means retaining my confidence) but sometimes my hormones get the better of me and I have to work to stay reasonable. :p

    I find that as long as I can remain rational in my actions, I can keep myself on course. Even when I'm struggling with my moodiness, I can stay okay as long as I don't act out off the deep end. :D:)

    Were you wondering about mood swings?

    If you have kids, do you find that when your hormones are going crazy they are too?
    Deb/Bee

    myspace.com/DebCharlottesville
  • justamjustam Posts: 21,410
    beebalmdancer wrote:
    If you have kids, do you find that when your hormones are going crazy they are too?

    Yes. :)

    My moods definitely affect the family so I have to re-assure them that my impatience is not related to anything they've done. It helps them to know I'm not upset at them, it's just something I'm feeling inside at the time.
    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    the wolf wrote:
    i agree with most of this. its day by day for me. in fact today is very low for me, to the point where i cant really even put it into words, (which sucks), so thats why im just stealing your post.

    bipolar without meds sucks bigtime. i need a job just for insurance so i can get back on the meds.

    yeah, right now life just sucks pretty much.

    I guess I should have mentioned that, that if it was a REALLY bad day I wouldn't even be on the board bothering to try to say how it is. I'd just be staring at the tv, not really watching or curled up in a ball in bed wishing I could stop breathing.

    I have a friend who is bipolar and I can't even imagine how bad it must be for you. I'm sorry. I hope tomorrow is a little better.
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • the wolfthe wolf Posts: 7,027
    Jeanie wrote:
    I guess I should have mentioned that, that if it was a REALLY bad day I wouldn't even be on the board bothering to try to say how it is. I'd just be staring at the tv, not really watching or curled up in a ball in bed wishing I could stop breathing.

    I have a friend who is bipolar and I can't even imagine how bad it must be for you. I'm sorry. I hope tomorrow is a little better.


    Thanks Jeanie. ya know, sometimes a kind word from a stranger helps too. : ) and i would like to point out that you are the class of the board. always something nice to say to others, that is rare, and very much welcomed.
    Peace, Love.

    "To question your government is not unpatriotic --
    to not question your government is unpatriotic."
    -- Sen. Chuck Hagel
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    the wolf wrote:
    Thanks Jeanie. ya know, sometimes a kind word from a stranger helps too. :) and i would like to point out that you are the class of the board. always something nice to say to others, that is rare, and very much welcomed.

    :o Well thank you. :) Not sure about me always having something nice to say to others but I try to save the not so nice for the deserving. Guess I'm managing to keep my inner nasty in check mostly though. ;)
    Takes so little to be kind to others and far more energy to be mean, I don't really understand why anyone bothers with nasty.
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • MattCameronKicksButtMattCameronKicksButt Posts: 4,317
    Odd question Fins.

    I'm up and down all the time. The doctor's asked me a couple of times if he thinks I'm bipolor and I'm not. Also been asked about menapausal issues but it's not that and I wouldn't put it down to being a Gemini either.
  • given2fly78given2fly78 Posts: 404
    Isn't it human nature?

    I personally find the weather affects my moods terribly. Around December I get into a funk. Granted, between December and January my job is super slow so that doesn't help. But this year, I was horribly blue. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Crying for no reason, I had my first panic attack, not wanting to get out of bed, not wanting to do anything....

    Granted, there are a few more things that led to that, but I popped out of my funk after Christmas. But it was disturbing. That was the worst I'd ever felt. To the point that I went to the Dr. (no drugs though! I made that clear). They suggested I go to a therapist or social worker to get some shit off my chest. I haven't yet..... But I probably will.

    Life is difficult sometimes. Pressure, stress and I don't know about you but nobody has higher expectations of myself than me. So some days I'm on top of the world and others I'm just......well, lost.

    But my biggest salvation is truly Music. When I'm feeling blue, I listen to some killer tunes. And I can honestly feel myself come back up. It's amazing.

    I'm also going to start playing around with the guitar. Stress relief. I've always wanted to learn. No time like the present!

    But you are NOT alone.
    "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. "
    Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

    I saw Hard To Imagine LIVE at MSG!
  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Posts: 12,223
    Is it human nature? I've pretty even with my moods. I don't suffer from depression at all. This is why I'm so curious.

    On another matter, I would dread to read an A*n**us-style post here, quoting neurophysiological data to "explain" how science determines how people feel on the rollercoaster of highs and lows. I want to read true testaments of how it feels, from real people.

    So, thanks, everyone, so far.
  • given2fly78given2fly78 Posts: 404
    Oh, I wouldn't say I'm depressed. Just go through ups and downs. And I've never met anyone who doesn't. Even question their own abilities, future, status, life.

    I kind of think we need to do that to a certain extent. It keeps me grounded and have a good deal of perspective. As well as the ability to get back in action with goals in mind. And when I'm feeling confident, I never forget how bad it felt to be down. And I hold those good feelings very closely.
    "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. "
    Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

    I saw Hard To Imagine LIVE at MSG!
  • stargirl69stargirl69 Posts: 6,387
    Think most people feel this.I certainly do but as I've got older I recognise the triggers and can manage them better.
    But I can be a master of cover up,can feel very low but if there's things that can't be avoided I just suck it up and get on with it.Then crawl back into my security afterwards.
    “There should be a place where only the things you want to happen, happen”
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    Fins, I've just noticed this thread but thanks for it. :)

    Yes, I experience this. I'm not sure if it's bipolar or what - my parents laugh or shrug off any talk of depression; they always have - but I frequently go from total elation and a feeling of 'everything will be right in the world' to a total pit of despair and loneliness. I seem to be feeling a strange mix of the two at the moment. It's making me obsessively creative though, and I'm working on a painting and my second book this week.

    My work is causing me the most stress at the moment; my confidence at work goes from bad to worse, and I'm just fighting hard to keep my job. Not everything's bad; I'm in a relationship again. But on the whole, my mood is all over the place.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • KosmicJelliKosmicJelli Posts: 1,855
    highly creative people are usually diagnosed with bi-polar disorder...


    I think its hard for people to understand high levels of creativity and the physical, emotional and mental drain creativeness takes to make your expression real... whatever that creative venture is...
  • GreenTeaDiseaseGreenTeaDisease Posts: 3,359
    when I am not thinking about work at all I fine. when I think about work in the least, despair.

    Also I have a hormonal probably that literally just changes my mood once a month. I'll be fine and then experience complete dysphoria.
  • WhizbangWhizbang Posts: 1,314
    Yes, I get mood swings. But I've learned as I've aged what triggers them. And 100% of the time, it's hormones. Now that I know, I don't feel the need to take out a "bad" mood on other people. I might be a bit more impatient but I've learned to keep that in check, ask myself why I'm so impatient about Y situation and think through it logically. I'm an emotionally reserved person anyway...very few get to see it all from me. Just my approach to life. Flying off the handle emotionally just because I'm hormonal doesn't make sense and I think it's shitty that some (not all) women use it as an excuse to be a bitch.
    believe it or not, we don't "need" anything. that is only the spoiled brat in us trying to fill some temporary solution to an emptyness that does not exist.

    I have eaten so much gold I crapped excellence - drtyfrnk29

    Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all!
  • dunkmandunkman Posts: 19,646
    FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:
    Who fluctuates between these two states of disposition, to extremes, and how do such turns of heart and mood manifest themselves? Are there external or internal triggers that send you plummeting?

    i dont fluctuate from one to the other at all... i wouldnt know what despair was? i had a shit time just before Xmas this year but i wasnt wallowing in my own mire of despair... i was pretty down about it all, but within 5 days of it happening i was arranging a night out so i could face it full on..

    but depair?? nope.. i've never even been depressed.. felt low or upset a few times.. but people throw out the depressed term to readily... which is unfair to people who truly have depression..
    oh scary... 40000 morbidly obese christians wearing fanny packs invading europe is probably the least scariest thing since I watched an edited version of The Care Bears movie in an extremely brightly lit cinema.
  • Heineken HelenHeineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    dunkman wrote:
    i dont fluctuate from one to the other at all... i wouldnt know what despair was? i had a shit time just before Xmas this year but i wasnt wallowing in my own mire of despair... i was pretty down about it all, but within 5 days of it happening i was arranging a night out so i could face it full on..

    but depair?? nope.. i've never even been depressed.. felt low or upset a few times.. but people throw out the depressed term to readily... which is unfair to people who truly have depression..
    I agree... most of the time I'm in a great mood... but the odd time I have bad days and i think given2fly78 has great posts here. Usually when I'm feeling low, I actually want to and find it's just how I need to be that day, that sometimes I get tired and actually can't be bothered putting a positive spin on things. I've had some pretty bad times and, while they've been difficult to get through, I try and remind myself when things are good... and I think it makes the good times even better.
    The Astoria??? Orgazmic!
    Verona??? it's all surmountable
    Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
    Wembley? We all believe!
    Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
    Chicago 07? And love
    What a different life
    Had I not found this love with you
  • nuffingmannuffingman Posts: 3,014
    FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:
    Who fluctuates between these two states of disposition, to extremes, and how do such turns of heart and mood manifest themselves? Are there external or internal triggers that send you plummeting?
    All of my fluctuations seem to revolve around work. If it's going well I'm pretty upbeat. If it's crap then i hit a low. Perhaps it's time to quit and hang my boots up.
  • MattCameronKicksButtMattCameronKicksButt Posts: 4,317
    I'm not really sure what this thread is about. Is it about being depressed, being bipolor or simply how well you cope through bad times in your life?
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