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shutterbug · 05-20-2007, 08:47 PM

Hi Faith, please don't listen to your boyfriend about not taking meds because "it's all in your head." People who are uneducated say things like that. My suggestion is to read about bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder and learn as much as you can. (It is actually quite possible to have both - as I do). It is important to see a real psychiatrist but to still take an active part in your mental health by learning non-medication ways of handling the day-to-day and minimizing the mood swings.

Something that could possibly help your anxiety and nightmares is progressive muscle relaxation at bed-time. It only takes about 10-15 minutes to do and there are tapes and CDs that can guide you through it each night. It's very pleasant and relaxing. I did it every night for a year when i was going through my last major depressive episode and I plan to go back to doing it each night as I had forgotten how much more centered it made my days.

Anyway, ANY relaxation techniques will help with the anxiety..... and I'd guess that the less anxiety you have then the less you will experience nightmares, but that's just a guess.

Hugs,
Jenna

05-20-2007, 08:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
shutterbug A picture's worth a 1000 words Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: With any luck, I'm lost in a view finder Posts: 2,947 Blog Entries: 5	Hi Faith, please don't listen to your boyfriend about not taking meds because "it's all in your head." People who are uneducated say things like that. My suggestion is to read about bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder and learn as much as you can. (It is actually quite possible to have both - as I do). It is important to see a real psychiatrist but to still take an active part in your mental health by learning non-medication ways of handling the day-to-day and minimizing the mood swings. Something that could possibly help your anxiety and nightmares is progressive muscle relaxation at bed-time. It only takes about 10-15 minutes to do and there are tapes and CDs that can guide you through it each night. It's very pleasant and relaxing. I did it every night for a year when i was going through my last major depressive episode and I plan to go back to doing it each night as I had forgotten how much more centered it made my days. Anyway, ANY relaxation techniques will help with the anxiety..... and I'd guess that the less anxiety you have then the less you will experience nightmares, but that's just a guess. Hugs, Jenna __________________ I'M FINE!! Fanatically Insecure Neuratic & Emotional Bipolar/Depression support: 1-800-950-NAMI(6264).