How do people stand it?

Living with the ups and downs of their emotions all day every day?

I take great care to live as simply as possible so that my life isn't such an emotional rollercoaster. Even so, when I do get very emotional, it's just overwhelming. I feel like I'm in a little dingy on a roiling sea.

Usually it's the lows with me concentrating on the negative, totally ignoring the positive and uplifting. I need to be able to step back from the frustration.

Quash stress thoughts as soon as they start to pop up. They don't change the outcome.

Or at least try to.

small waves. There is treatment for the big highs and lows. I know because I've had them. Maybe you should check out bipolar disorder on the net. Going up and down all day is really not that fun.

That was my ex's problem.

Me, I'm this:

http://www.hsperson.com

.... I'm sure you've done the research but be careful - there are many flavors of bipolar.

Your description sounds just like I was for 20 years until I started on lithium. Believe me, I don't miss it - although I do take a very low dose because I just want the major edges taken off, not to be zombified.

I'd say this - if irritibility is not a major component of your roller coaster ride, then you are probably not bipolar. If you go off on people all the time and then wonder why you did it, well, you see.

In any event I sympathize. But then on the other hand one reason so many bipolars have a hard time staying on their meds is that, well, that rollercoaster can actually be quite a ride at times :)

I don't "go off" on people; anger management is not my issue. I lived with a ragaholic for nine years. I know what that's about. No, thanks. Not ever again. I'm not really surprised that diagnosed bipolars think someone else might be.

Unlike you all, I don't have alternating periods of mania and depression. In fact, if you see me off line, I am very reserved and even-tempered, rather zen-like. I have been described as somewhat aloof. Call me "Spock." :-)

Did you even read the HSP write up?

Being an HSP (Highly Senstive Person) means that I have an extremely sensitive central nervous system. This might sound like bragging, but it isn't. Circumstances and situations that are mildly to moderately stimulating (both pleasurable and painful) for everyone else can be overwhelming for someone like me.

Places like dance clubs or loud rock concerts can put me in sensory overload. Even the mall. Too many people, too much noise. Talking to people all day long feels like giving blood. Parties can be a nightmare. I'm usually the first one who needs to go outside for "air." The effect of all this is that I get ever more quiet, or feel like I'm being weighed down, sinking to the bottom of a pool. I can go home at the end of the day feeling exhausted, like I ran a marathon.

Now, certain situations like the concert or the club, can be enjoyable for me being overly stimulated. But I have to make sure I give myself time to come down the next day to regain my emotional balance. Being an HSP is not a disorder or a condition that needs treatment. It's just another, normal life perspective. It's also the reason I like most of the people in this Loners group prefer to spend LOTS of time alone.

... at least the list of "traits", and I felt they were pretty familiar.

Also, I've never cycled to any degree that people normally think of in bipolar disorder. I lived in a hypomanic state almost all the time, and maybe once a month I would "go low" for half a day.

In any event, I'm not trying to "diagnose" you, merely point out that when the psychologist told me she suspected I was bipolar, I totally laughed off the notion. No way. But, turns out she was right.

(one thing I don't share is your "sensory overload" thing, so you are probably right)

Also, I wouldn't call myself a loner exactly, well, yeah, I probably am. I enjoy the company of others, but only in measured amounts and on my terms :)

One more comment - I agree with your "normal life perspective" perspective. Truth is, I think mild forms of bipolar are "normal" in that lots of people have it and it's really not all bad. I choose to medicate it because 1) I get almost no side effects from my meds and 2) it takes away my extreme irritibility, which is was difficult for me as it was for the people around me.

that you have. crowds and people, noise, really drain me too. i rarely go out of the house on weekends, i enjoy being alone.