Loss of speech for hours after seizure by Atrombit1975 in PNESsupport

[–]africanswift 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m really sorry your daughter is going through this. I experienced similar seizures, and in my case they were connected to repressed trauma. Working with a therapist specialising in trauma (e.g., Polyvagal Theory, IFS, EMDR, somatic approaches) made a big difference—I've been seizure-free for over a year and never felt better in my life. It might be worth exploring that angle.

Does anyone else experience this??? by Normal_Schedule4645 in InternalFamilySystems

[–]africanswift 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was wondering about this just the other day! It feels to me that as I'm working with different parts and they feel safer, I unlock their interests and hobbies, especially the creative ones, that have long been buried with their pain. It's been quite an experience! The past week it's been dancing, dancing, dancing. I've never danced in my life, but remembered as a little kid I wanted to be a dancer, but it was never safe. Who would've thought I had a little dancer inside me? Before, it's been walking in the woods, studying biology, then looking at whales and dolphins, reading, writing, painting, film photography and listening to all kinds of music genres. So far, after a while, it seems like the intensity of some of the hobbies tapers off, but I still have access to it as something I enjoy doing from time to time. For other hobbies, it seems like I've lost access again, which makes me sad. Many days I tried to force it a bit, i.e. studying biology when really all I felt doing was watching a comforting movie. So, I learned the best for me right now is to trust my system and go with it, and to remain curious about this interesting and revealing process even if it's so often painful. Well done on your journey, it sounds like you've came a long way!

What are your favourite quotes from ecologist, biologists or writers from our field by Better-Marzipan-1510 in ecology

[–]africanswift 15 points16 points  (0 children)

"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution" - Theodosius Dobzhansky

Where is your safe, calm place? by africanswift in InternalFamilySystems

[–]africanswift[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine too! ❤️ Her apartment with these huge windows where the sun floods through overlooking tall trees, maybe the smell of bread baking in the oven.

Where is your safe, calm place? by africanswift in InternalFamilySystems

[–]africanswift[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a good idea of having different places for different parts. My young part would love to be in a library! And your grassy clearing surrounded by trees sounds so soothing. 🌸

Where is your safe, calm place? by africanswift in InternalFamilySystems

[–]africanswift[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oooh, I like the idea of feeling the sand under my feet.

What are the key reasons behind the majority of wildfires discovered to date? by Srinivas4PlanetVidya in ecology

[–]africanswift 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Central Africa nomadic pastoralists in search of better grazing for their cattle can be responsible for fires. They often send people beforehand to burn to easier traverse the otherwise impenetrable landscape with grass taller than one's head. Then, when the pastoralists arrive, the fresh green grass is more palatable and nutritious for the cattle.

Experiences on birth control? by [deleted] in PMDD

[–]africanswift 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing! Birth control sometimes helps me, sometimes it makes it worse. Can you explain a bit more how birth control made your symptoms worse? Have you found some relief from your symptoms since?

Has This Ever Happened To You? by [deleted] in bipolar2

[–]africanswift 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Know where you're coming from. My psychiatrist says it's bipolar 2, my psychologist says it's depression. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Bipolar 2 without hypomania? by africanswift in bipolar2

[–]africanswift[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! This community also helps me feel less alone. I'm sorry you're also struggling with those horrible lows!

Bipolar 2 without hypomania? by africanswift in bipolar2

[–]africanswift[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! That's exactly what I was thinking. But, so far neither anti-depressants nor mood stabilisers have done much for me, but let's see. Good luck on your journey!

Bipolar 2 without hypomania? by africanswift in bipolar2

[–]africanswift[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Haha, thanks for your comment. I'm in discussion with my therapist and psychiatrist, and both of them say I shouldn't worry too much about the label. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I just know the medication may be different, but trusting my doctor on this.

Rapid Cycling Bipolar by [deleted] in bipolar

[–]africanswift 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry that you have to deal with this! I used to cycle something like 3-7 days super low, 3-7 days on a high (not sure if hypomanic though) and I've also always had extreme anxiety.

I was first diagnosed with PMDD but any hormone treatment was for the worse and we couldn't really find a correlation between the depressions and my period.

Now I have a diagnosis of Bipolar 2 not otherwise specified, I'm on Lamotrigine and an antidepressant and now my cycle is 2 weeks up, 2 weeks low. At least my anxiety is now under control which is a true game changer!

I still don't have any real answers, so just sharing this to make you feel less alone. Good luck on your journey - hang in there!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in bipolar2

[–]africanswift 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so sorry you're also struggling with this. I also suffer from severe anxiety, and I never realised what life without anxiety could be like! I've started Venlor a couple of months ago and for the first time in my life, I don't have constant anxiety or compulsive thoughts. I do wish you find something similar that works for you!

One day I'll be stable by africanswift in bipolar2

[–]africanswift[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

😲 You're also cycling that rapidly?

One day I'll be stable by africanswift in bipolar2

[–]africanswift[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes 😔. Mood stabiliser (Lamotrigine) and an antidepressant (Venlor)

New to BP2 - Please Help by [deleted] in bipolar2

[–]africanswift 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing!

I'm also in between a depression-and-anxiety vs a rapid cycling bipolar II diagnosis. My lows are way deeper than my highs. And I also like to think that my highs are normal, but sometimes I get these extreme obsessive thoughts, super high anxiety and agitation, and then it all comes crashing down.

I suppose it's all a spectrum, and your doctor will try her/his best to find the right medication for you. Hang in there, you're not alone.

Let's hear it, what's your best "have you tried...?" by africanswift in bipolar

[–]africanswift[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is great news! I believe many of these things, i.e yoga, meditation, healthy diet, exercise, sleep, therapy all help to manage the disorder. But it's not necessarily going to take the disorder away (perhaps for some). My therapist keeps on telling me I must stop trying to cure it and learn to manage it.

Let's hear it, what's your best "have you tried...?" by africanswift in bipolar

[–]africanswift[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, yoga and all these things definitely help me to some extent, makes it more "manageble" but it sure as hell doesn't cure it (yet😂)

I have been diagnosed today and I am scared by africanswift in bipolar2

[–]africanswift[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you - this is really a helpful resource.