P Thickens wrote:Sounds like ADD and manic/depressive disorder. How old are you, how much sunlight are you getting, and how much large muscle movement (serious, involved exercise) do you get in a day?
I'm 29. I was diagnosed with ADHD as a kid. I do still have issues consistent with ADD such as difficulty focusing on conversations or tasks, problems with short term memory, and occassional brain fog. I've struggled with depression off and on most of my life, but I don't get into the deep self-injury or suicidal depressions the way I used to when I was young. I've wondered if it was manic, especially since I am sometimes overly sensitive and get angry or sad easily and others is as if I'm almost completely numb to my feelings, but I've never been officially diagnosed with it. I don't get a lot of sunlight because I work nights, but I've been trying to get out during the day whenever I can. That's a lot harder with the shorter winter days we're having. Within the last few months I've started doing cardio an hour a day 2-4 times a week as I can fit it in and light workouts (push-ups, crunches, ect.) about 3 times a week. On top of that I've changed my diet and experienced significant weight loss for the short time I've been dieting. The diet and exercise seems to be helping my energy levels and cognition but I'm still having issues with the anxiety. Lately the anxiety has been even worse due to some recent, emotionally devestating events in my life. I know some people smoke marijuana to help with this, but I can't because it makes me lazy and messes with my cognition and my memory.
I have noticed exercise (like running, treadmill, or elliptical) does seem to elevate my mood, as well as getting out in the sun more, and getting more sleep. I'll definitely check into the supplements more, and maybe when I get a better job and start making more money I'll check into holistic care.