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I think something bad might happen soon. I haven't been keeping up with medication, and I have had a lot of late nights. Both of these were confirmed by my pyschiatrist's as being triggers for my condition from the episode I had.

Now I feel really bad. Something like being worried or stresed, and I can't ignore it. Usually if I sleep and relax, it wears off, but I took 7mg of zprexa, I slept and Now Im at college with this bad feeling.

Why am I feeling this way? Whats going on?

>>It could have something to do with the amount of work we have due, although im not letting myself think about it too much.
>>It could be that thinking about my condition worsening is stressing me, and thats harder not to think about.
>>Recently I have been drinking tea and coffee a lot, although this doesnt seem bad.
>>Im arguing with my mother a lot, and for some reason it always drives me nuts, in the past, ive had to take zyprexa after having an argument cause it left me stressed and frustrated.
>>Im having the problem of thinking too much again, where my thoughts become like a kind of inner dialogue, I keep questioning why things are happening and coming up with my own answers... this is never a good thing, in fact its bad, it makes it difficult to be aware of whats going on around me, and harder to be involved in coversations.
>>Over the last month, ive realized ive been snapping at people and growing irritated a lot faster then I normally would.

I just want this pass so I can continue with my day to day studies and my own interests.


Does anyone here have any reccomendations on how to calm down and relax? Should I just have a string of early nights? WHat would a doctor or pyschiatrist probably do if they found out I was feeling this way? Im especially worried about what they do when they get my blood test and see that my levels of Epilim are low. (sodium valproate, the other drug I take which is a mood stabilizer, not an anti psychotic.)


- sorry about the post being a little disorganized, I just wanted to cover the basics without going into a huge dialogue about my condition.

Definitely try getting more sleep, and make sure you get regular (and healthy!) meals. Also, getting about twenty minutes to an hour of exercise every day or two will increase the levels of some of the good chemicals in your brain (ones that I don't feel up to spelling at four in the morning... endorphins? yeah, those), and will make you feel better physically and mentally as well as helping you burn off some of the nervous energy and be able to sleep.

Regarding sleep: Try to sleep around the same time every night. At least for me, varying my sleep pattern on one night will throw me off for the forseeable future, hence the reason why I'm awake right now.

Something that helps me when I'm feeling stressed out about school work is scheduling. I hate it, but it helps. Just sit down and make a list of what you have to do and when you're going to do it... and stick to the schedule. Just remember that scheduling doesn't mean that you can't have any fun. If you have time, schedule in a day (or maybe just an evening, afternoon, or morning) to relax.

Relaxation is another biggie. When I'm feeling wound tight like that, I try to take maybe an hour or so and take a hot bath, read a nice brain-candy-type book, listen to music, or just meditate.

If you don't meditate, I'd suggest starting. Just take ten or fifteen minutes at first, sit somewhere comfy where you're not likely to be interupted, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and let your mind empty. Don't fight thoughts away, just acknowledge them and then let them go. You can focus on your breathing, on a specific mental image, or just let your mind be blank. I try to meditate for at least a few minutes every day, and I've found that it helps me a lot.

Lack of sleep just feeds the problem until it snowballs. I think you should tell your doctor. They'd probably prescribe you some sleeping pills. I would definately try the string of early nights if I were you. Things might get a lot better.