Mood worries

[InChains]

Lately I've been worrying alot about my mood. For a long time now I have had odd days or long periods where I have these kind of 'black moods' where I'll feel very negative, angry, sad, resentful or guilty. The problem I have is that although i know these things can be side effects of drinking, I don't know for sure where they come from. For those of you who've read my story or know me as ThatGirl you'll know that I've been drinking from a young age (13/14 when I started drinking every day) - I honestly have not been sober for long enough in my young life to truthfully know how I feel, what's me and what is drinking. I feel very lost and confused right now about where I stand and what to do. I don't know if anybody here has experience of these things or any information or ideas they could give me, anything is welcome.

thanks everyone x

[InChains]

Mood worries

I'm trying to avoid seeing a counsellor if I can - after the 'family therapy' theme who made my sister suicidal, the psychiatrist who misdiagnosed her and my own attempt at seeing a counsellor (who's only advice was 'why not make a timetable to manage your workload better') I really don't trust them haha

[Lavande]

Mood worries

InChains,

Getting to know yourself as a non-drinking & non-smoking (in my case) adult is not an easy thing, it takes some time, for sure!
I am more of a self-help kind of person. I worked in the health care field for nearly 30 years so I have my own reasons for not alwyas trusting someone else's opinions.
I personally have had great success stabilizing my moods with an OTC herbal product (Amoryn). I tend to gravitate toward meaningful books & websites such as:
The ToDo Institute: Mindfulness, Procrastination, and Gratitude using Morita and Naikan Therapies

And I get a lot from the others here at MWO - especially understanding & companionship!

[InChains]

Mood worries

thanks lav, I shall check that site out later. I have to work on the smoking thing at some point too, I ironically took it up to relax me when i agve up drinking last time xD

thanks Zen for the advice, I may try again perhaps when I'm drinking less and know a little bit more about whether I'm just a depressed drunk or a depressed person xD (I joke too mcuh about these things I know, bad habit). and you remember more about my life than me! I forgot the break in of all things, awful memory haha

[InChains]

Mood worries

ahh don't worry, worse things happen at sea and all that

[universal]

Mood worries

In Chains,

I too suffered from those periods and began drinking heavily at an early age. I do have clinical depression and it hasn't gone away with being AF but counselling and my medication has really helped me.

It's hard when we quit drinking. We begin to feel. Things we haven't felt or have suppressed. It can be a hard challenge. But it is so worth it in the end. Journalling can be a good source - I hated writing and thought at first that it was ridiculous but as soon as the committee of idiots began in my head I would pick up a pen and just write it all down. At least then it was tangible and I got it out of me.

Just an idea - it helped me alot in the beginning.

Good luck hon!

[coalfire]

Mood worries

Lithium orotate helped me(in the holistic healing section) My moods were up and down.They did improve after I was about 1 month AF.

[dancingon]

Mood worries

That was really young to start drinking daily. You probably don't have much experience of dealing with your feelings un-numbed. That can be a surprise. Even those of us who started to drink much later can be surprised once we get ourselves back. If you're having trouble dealing with it, you might want to talk to your doctor and get some meds, even if only for a while. I understand the resistance to counselling. I've had good and bad experiences too, but there might be a good one out there for you.

[leaveinsilence]

Mood worries

it took me a long time to admit that i was depressed and that i needed help with that and help to stop drinking, i had told ond doctor how i felt a few years ago when i was at breaking point and her answer was... You need me time... Yeah right dream on with three young kids and a husband who wants to kmow my every movement and told me i didn't need the me time i was at home all day anyway.

Anyway since i'be been on meds for the depression it has helped with drinking, after numerous false starts this is the longest i've been af since about 15. unfortunately the help for the quitting drinking is hard for me manage to get to, the schemes are over the other side of town and my doc won't prescribe meds to stop drinking i'll have to go across to the programme for that, but the ad's are definiately helping me cope this time round, it's vicious circle, depression makes you wamt to drink and the drink makes you depressed which makes you want to drink..etc..etc

They have suggested a councellor which i didn't feel comfortable about doing but the one doctor gets me to open up in what i guess you could call a mini councelling session

Anyway i hope you find which way is best for you soon