1.16.2012

Allergies are depressing.

My life with bipolar disorder is not something I particularly like to talk about.. with anyone. In fact, I tend to just hide my somewhat erratic behavior behind an eccentric & quirky exterior.. It's really the only way I feel in control of a lot of chaos.

 Part of the reason I never talk about BP is because I don't identify myself as  bi-polar, I identify myself as a spiritual & scientific woman of the universe (I know, I am a dork)... so instead of working against my bi-polar disorder, I am trying to find ways to use my bi-polar as a tool.


This act of control is why yoga is so appealing to me. Yoga is an act of acceptance, and using BP as a tool is an act of control. Yin and yang. It's just how the universe works and that is a philosophy I adhere to.

Even in bouts of depression I have trained myself to see the good in things. Being manic for me is an advantage; This is actually when I am the most reasonable, clear headed, hyper positive and productive. There are certainly negatives to mania, but the positive has a lot of muscle. I am constantly surrounding myself with reminders of those positive thoughts and feelings, so when I am struggling with depression, like I am right now, I remember to just ride the wave.

Since I am living in a different part of the state now I am sure there are a lot of things contributing to this spell that feels a little darker than usual, but I think the number one culprit is my allergies. I don't know what is in the air right now, but I can not go outside without feeling wheezy. My throat feels like it is going to close up and even indoors I am rather congested. This is a problem, because a major part to keeping my BP regulated is lots of Vitamin D and physical exercise.

 I just want to be outside.

{Vitamin D (from the sun), B12, Kava, St Johns Wart, Melatonin and magnesium supplements are the only things I take to regulate BP. I use melatonin and Kava to regulate my anxiety/manic states, St Johns, D from the Sun and B12 for an elevated mood and magnesium for body aches. (Depression really does hurt yo)}*

BUT since my allergies are kicking my ass, I've been home bound, which means not enough vitamin D, which means I am more bummed out than usual, and that is causing problems in my life. I suppose I should just take supplements.

I've tried everything to relieve my allergies; teaspoons of the local honey, just dealing with the allergies and drinking a lot of water, I even caved and took some OTC's. (In case you haven't noticed I am not a big fan of pharmaceuticals). Nothing is working and I am really starting to feel like I am my own prisoner. Thank god for P90x yoga, I can at least get a decent work out in.

Has anyone tried anything like acupuncture for allergies?

{If you got this far in my ramble kudos to you}

What about tea or supplements?

I need to spend time with the trees to be happy (I'm only halfway kidding) and I don't see an end to these depression enhancing allergies.


That was long, and that is all.

Namaste!
R



*I think it is necessary to say that I am not a doctor and I am not giving anyone medical advice. If you would like to chat about how I regulate my mental health naturally, I am more than willing to share what I know and what has worked for me. After a horrible experience with an Rx in 2010, I have been on a mission to regulate my disorder naturally. I have a lot more control over how I am "treated," so in turn I have a lot more success using BP as a positive, rather than a negative. I have had really horrible experiences in the psychiatric world; I feel like I am treated with a One Size Fits All mentality. It infuriates me actually, and I wish doctors would encourage patients to do some work on themselves before shoving pills with horrendous side effects down their throat.

3 comments:

  1. Hey Ryan. -^^- I actually drink a buttload of different teas and I've found that rooibos teas helps with allergy flareups.

    Winter's kicking my ass too as I suffer from seasonal affective disorder.

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  2. Instead of taking local honey have you tried taking straight pollen? I have a few friends who swear by it. You could also try a neti pot or maybe an air purifier for your house? Allergies are such a hard thing to combat and beat down. I'm sorry you're having to endure them.

    I say give acupuncture a shot! What have you got to lose?

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  3. p90x has a yoga? is it any good? I should try that sometime...and yes, yoga in the morning for me too. after work, I head straight to my pajamas.

    ReplyDelete

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