[sailingwithoutstars]

I'm new to PsychCentral, and to forums in general...so please bear with me as I ramble on...

A little backstory...I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II about 12 years ago after several years of being misdiagnosed with depression. After a few years of trying to get the right combination of meds, I found what works for me and have been stable ever since. I even managed to meet my now husband while I was being diagnosed, and he is immensely patient and understanding of my condition having seen me at my worst.

Now, I am blessed to live in paradise. I live on a sailboat in the Caribbean with my husband and out formerly-feral cat. I have an amazing job with flexibility that allows me to travel and enjoy sailing several times a year. So, you can imagine my frustration when once or twice a year my depression in particular rears it's ugly head.

These past few days I have been in such a dark place that I hardly leave the boat...really, I hardly leave my stateroom. We are supposed to be planning a sail down to The Grenadines with a close friend at the end of this month and I'm worried about getting through this bout before we leave. If I don't, and we go anyway, I can only imagine how scary night watches will be with 3-4 hours of quiet darkness for my brain to ruminate in!

Can you tell me some of the ways you pull yourself out of the depressive episodes? Or at least how you get through them? I want to have an arsenal of tools to work with so I can cope effectively. Any advice is welcome...thank you.

[*Beth*]

Hi sailingwithoutstars, welcome to PC!

What is your situation, as far as medication and therapy?

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by sailingwithoutstars

I'm new to PsychCentral, and to forums in general...so please bear with me as I ramble on...

A little backstory...I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II about 12 years ago after several years of being misdiagnosed with depression. After a few years of trying to get the right combination of meds, I found what works for me and have been stable ever since. I even managed to meet my now husband while I was being diagnosed, and he is immensely patient and understanding of my condition having seen me at my worst.

Now, I am blessed to live in paradise. I live on a sailboat in the Caribbean with my husband and out formerly-feral cat. I have an amazing job with flexibility that allows me to travel and enjoy sailing several times a year. So, you can imagine my frustration when once or twice a year my depression in particular rears it's ugly head.

These past few days I have been in such a dark place that I hardly leave the boat...really, I hardly leave my stateroom. We are supposed to be planning a sail down to The Grenadines with a close friend at the end of this month and I'm worried about getting through this bout before we leave. If I don't, and we go anyway, I can only imagine how scary night watches will be with 3-4 hours of quiet darkness for my brain to ruminate in!

Can you tell me some of the ways you pull yourself out of the depressive episodes? Or at least how you get through them? I want to have an arsenal of tools to work with so I can cope effectively. Any advice is welcome...thank you.

Hugs. Love that part of the world.

I have treatment-resistant bp 1 with super badass depression. The only thing out of maybe 30 or so antidepressants I have tried that have helped me are: Cymbata. Wellbutrin, lithium, and an NMDA antagonist like ketamine. My depression is different than some other people's. Maybe yours is , too.

So, what meds have you tried thst have helped at all? Do you work out aerobically? It might be as effective as any med? Have you heard of sarcosine? Has really helped my depression a ton. It is not a drug but a supplement related to glycine. It has eradicated all my hopelessness and sadness, hundred percent. Miracle. It has not helped motivation and anhedonia and some other things. But still. 27 bucks on amazon. My genius psychiatrist totally supports me in this. Lots of science behind it.

Take heart. There are options. Hang tough. Don't give up.

[sailingwithoutstars]

Thanks for the feedback. I have been on a combination of Depakote and Prozac for years, with Ativan as needed for anxiety. During my last episode of depression my doctor put my on Sepharis as a temporary bridge, and that seemed to work well. I haven't heard of the supplement you mentioned, so I may try that.

I have been walking in the evenings with a friend to get some sun and some exercise...but, you know how it goes, somedays it's hard to make yourself go outside.

Thank you for the suggestions, I'll take any help I can get

[bpcyclist]

Yeah, Sarcosine might be a place to start. I do 6 gm a day. It has helped a ton.