Just Diagnosed?
If you've just been diagnosed with a mood disorder, you are not alone. Mood disorders affect more than 22 million Americans. They are treatable, and you are not weak, flawed, or crazy. One of the best things you can do to help yourself in your recovery is learn all you can about your illness.
You've Just Been Diagnosed...
“I've always had mood swings. I used to throw huge tantrums when I was a kid. As I got older, the highs got higher and the lows got lower. I lost several jobs and ruined a whole bunch of relationships. Finally, I decided nothing could be worse than living like I was, and I went to get some help.”
“It was like my brain played a cruel joke on me. My energy and creativity were the things I relied on and when I became depressed they were completely gone, as was most of my will to live. There was no way I could 'snap out of it.' The depression was stronger than I was that's the nature of the illness. I'm so grateful that my treatment has helped me get back to living my life.”
“I thought medication was going to make me weird or an addict. But after a few months, I wasn't really aware I was taking it. There was no 'high,' but I now feel a lot less depressed. As long as I keep taking my pill every morning, I'm able to cope with life. Things that used to make me cry and want to go hide, I'm able to deal with now.”
What Now?
If you've just been diagnosed with a mood disorder, you are not alone. Mood disorders affect more than 22 million Americans. They are treatable, and you are not weak, flawed, or crazy. One of the best things you can do to help yourself in your recovery is learn all you can about your illness.
What's happening to me?
Mood disorders are physical illnesses that affect the brain. Their exact cause is not known, but it is known that an imbalance in brain chemicals plays a role. These illnesses also have a genetic component, meaning they can run in families. They are not your fault, and they are nothing to be ashamed of. Having a mood disorder does not mean you can't lead a normal life.
Think of your mood disorder the same way you think of illnesses such as asthma or diabetes. No one would ever ask someone else to think positive in response to the low blood sugar of diabetes or breathing trouble of asthma, and no one would think twice about getting the necessary treatment for these illnesses.
Continue reading DBSA's publication "You've Just Been Diagnosed... What Now?"
Here are some helpful links to get you started.
page created: May 10, 2006 |
page updated: September 8, 2006 | |