[Mother2Amaya]

: My name is Amy and I am extremely high strung. There. I admitted it.

I make lists, I run through things in my head that need to get done over and over, every little noise irritates me - including my baby's cries. Every little thing seems to get on my nerves and irritate me. My husband's driving. The way my daughter fusses at diaper changes. The way people get in my daughter's face and say "awww" when I'm out in public.

I work at home, which doesn't help things, because out of the corner of my eye I constantly see things that need to be done - especially baby-oriented things. Right now, my computer desk squeaks when I type and I'm about to THROW SOMETHING it's so irritating.

If I get frustrated, I run down a laundry list of things I need to do and yell them out to my husband, who tells me he is tired of hearing me do it.

For instance, I'll be perfectly fine and then out of the blue get frustrated, sigh, and say "it's already 11:00 and I still need to call and change primary care doctors, go to the post office, call the car company, work, wash bottles, wrap up this package, go to the store, and take a shower." He says it stresses him out, and I totaly understand because it does me too.

It's almost bipolar, almost OCD. I'm on antidepressants but I'm not sure they are doing enough. Anyone have advice? I really don't want to be so drugged-feeling on heavier antidepressants!

 

[natmother]

Oh I can relate sometimes.. You need a break!!! go get a facial, massage? Moms night out?? Some time to yourself or something. Do you have other moms to hang out with?? if not I think it would be good for you to find some local moms to hang out and "vent" with.

I thought maybe I should mention this. Are you drinking coffee? If not then you can throw my idea out the window.. but if you do then you should look into what this book says about anxiety, stress, and caffeine.. it's pretty interesting.
If so look into the book Caffeine Blues by Stephen Cherniske who is a Clinical Nutritionist.

Here's a link where you can read about it
http://www.relfe.com/caffeine.html

 

[myrrhmaid]

valerian root!
it really helps with stress and tension-especially if you hold tension in your neck and upper back.

 

[Jazmommie]

I can relate also--I write out my lists so I can stop thinking about them & try to take time to pray a short affirmation,drink hot tea (camomile & valarian-or a relaxing tea blend),& go to a chiropractor ,talk to a friend ---a quick walk around the house & a laugh helps also!

St John wort did not help my stressed out feelings --Kava Kava did but I was afraid of the side effects on livers--so I tried Sam E last week ----so far so good!

 

[captain optimism]

Vitamin B supplements with inositol. I know you were having supply issues, inositol helps with let down. I learned about this here on MDC and it helped with my pumping when I was working FT outside the home. My mom talked about one of my sister's friends being "high strung" as a reason that nursing was difficult and I didn't understand until I had to pump what that meant!

Several people have told me that it helped them with their periods, with PMS emotional stress. I found that since my period returned three months ago, taking the B vitamins seemed to help with cramps. The B vitamins are water soluble so it would be very difficult to overdose, and so trying this can't harm you.

 

[Mother2Amaya]

Awesome! Thanks for all of the advice! I'm definitely going to try something and see if it helps. I'd rather go with a natural remedy than try more medication.

 

[insomniamama]

EXERCISE!!! A lot of sweat and a lot of circulation. Works like a charm. I'll fit it into my day, even at the end, taking an hour walk at 11pm. That's why I call myself.....
-insomniamama!

Good luck, fellow naturally high-strung mama!

 

[ILuvMyBaby]

What does your doctor think?

 

[hippiemom]

i second the exercise advice, as a higher strung person myself. exercise every day helps me feel like i am calmer, and i stop running through tasks in my head and i can relax. you have to do it very consistently for about 20-30 minutes a day, but boy it is a miracle. i am sure if i didn't exercise i would have needed some sort of psychotherapeutic. the doc says exercise IS my psychotherapeutic, and i agree.

 

[veganmamma]

Exercise every day and valerian when you feel like you're off your rocker and rescue remedy when you're about to really lose your cool. That would be my advice. Exercise is SOOOO helpful!

 

[Lindy]

Sounds like you need more vitamins and minerals. Especially calcium and magnesium, they help calm you. You might try keeping a food diary to see if any foods wind you up, or it could be chemicals you are using for cleaning. Anyway definately take more calcium and magnesium. The other recommendations from posters are good too.

The OCD could be related to food allergies, especially sugar. Try cutting out sugar for a while to see if there is any difference.

 

[Satori]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILuvMyBaby What does your doctor think?

Rule #1 The only thing Dr's know to do is give drugs to cover the symptoms

Rule #2 Most moms here avoid the Dr unless necessary as most are clueless. We see a lot of Dr's because of dd and haven't had much help except when I directly asked for a specific med. I went to the Dr a couple weeks ago for depression/anxiety, they wanted to give me an SSRI... I didn't need it and I knew it. The problem turned out to be malnutrition! I'm now taking large doses of specific vitamins/minerals (making a point to eat too) and I'm feeling 95% better and my house shows it after being a total disaster the last couple years.

Rule #3 MD's are not gods, and around here we know it!

 

[Mother2Amaya]

My doctor had already put me on an antidepressant and it lowered my milk supply and made me feel like a zombie. I'm sick of "lets try an increase in dosage," "lets change the 'type' of antidepressant," "lets give you something to help you sleep." No, no, no! So then what happens when I come off the medication? I'm worse off than I was when I started and can't live without the medication?

I don't want someone to shove medication down my throat. I just want to be able to live naturally.

 

[Mother2Amaya]

In other words, I agree with Satori.

 

[guestmama9972]

I was at Whole Foods yesterday and I saw a book on Candida overgrowth. I am in the middle of a battle with Candida myself and I was surprised to read what some of the effects are, one of which is making your brain feel fuzzy and not being able to concentrate, irritability, etc.

I am a fairly high-strung person myself and I feel MUCH better when I avoid refined sugar in all forms. I am wondering if it could be the yeast. Anyway, food for thought.

 

[NocturnalDaze]

Have you had your thyroid checked?? I have hyperthyroidism and if I forget to take my medication I get just like this. I am high strung anyway but it is so much worse unmedicated.

 

[ja mama]

A b-complex, magnesium, and trying to eat good food more often (less cracker snacking and just coffee) have helped. That's not to say I'm not still high strung, but not feeling strung up by a wire anymore.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ight=magnesium

 

[Ryoko]

Just wanted to lend my support and tell you, I literally could've written your post myself. I am the EXACT same way, so I can totally relate. This thread has helped me too and given me some good ideas - hope we can both calm down a bit!
Just curious what do you do from home? I am currently studying to be able to claims from home...

 

[Mother2Amaya]

Ryoko - I do medical transcription from home. It's okay but I really work my butt off for the money. I actually can't wait to go back to school myself but if my husband becomes a police officer, I'll do transcription part time and be a SAHM and homeschool my daughter. I've thought of starting my own business but who has time for that?

Thanks everyone for the tips. I wondered about candida problems as well. I have hypothyroidism but not hyper... I wonder how that affects everything. I know I DO need to eat better and take some supplements. I think looking into all of those things will help.

 

[NocturnalDaze]

Sorry, I always mix up the 2. I have hypothyroidism (the one where your not making enough hormone). I would definately say that is what it is. If my levels are off I really get annoyed with everything anyone does. I think you may want to let your doctor know how your feeling. Are you taking synthroid (Levoxal)? You may need to have your dose increased.

Kim