- What Can Be Done For My Mood Swings?
QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I am 49 years old, physically healthy, educated, and have a wonderful spouse and stepchild along with children of my own. My spouse and I recently gave up the corporate life to start our own business because we wanted more flexibility and to have more control of our future. We both were victims of corporate down-sizing. Together we have a great opportunity for success. However, I seem to be unable to clearly address the normal everyday stresses, and experience wide mood swings.
I read your description of BPD and it struck a nerve. I could have written the description of symptoms if I was asked to explain how I feel. Things have gotten so out of kilter at home and in our office that it has been suggested that I am not capable of handling the situation. Some of it comes from me. The rest from my spouse and our co-workers. It is obvious to me that there is a problem that I am not being able to correct using normal stress reducing activities and self control exercises.
Early in my life, I tried to use antidepressants without success. The side effects were worse than the condition for which they were prescribed. But that was many years ago and we now have more information and better treatments, not to mention a huge array of new medications. I began taking St Johns Wort last year and it seemed to help stabilize the slight mood swings but it did not eliminate them. I stopped using it about six months ago when I began to develop sensitivity to sunlight. I found it difficult to be outdoors without getting rashes on exposed skin. Therefore, I discontinued use. Since then, with the added stress of moving, starting a new business, and the usual day to day activities, I am at a point where I can’t relax and constantly feel agitated, overly sensitive, and rejected. I sometimes search for out of the way places to just be alone so I won’t feel so uptight. Can you comment? I have too much to lose if I don’t find a way to get control of the emotional roller coaster that I feel I am on.
By the way, thanks for the website!?
ANSWER:
I suspect the stress of starting your own business has triggered the BPD symptoms to worsen. To me, Prozac is clearly the best medication for the BPD – stopping the inappropriate mood swings, chronic anger, emptiness, and boredom. http://pks.947.myftpupload.com/20a.htm explains the symptoms I try to treat medically. If Prozac causes agitation or increased anxiety, the generalized anxiety disorder may need to be treated first, with BuSpar. http://pks.947.myftpupload.com/AskDoc/First-Do.htm will also give you information that you need to get started.
