tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post9093848011373604026..comments2023-05-13T08:06:33.385-04:00Comments on Lilies and Elephants: What is CyclothymiaMaya Northen Augellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02469306092296810650noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-69024187805245723312018-10-15T08:49:32.765-04:002018-10-15T08:49:32.765-04:00First, let me say how sorry I am that you're g...First, let me say how sorry I am that you're going through this. It sounds like a really difficult situation. Not being a mental health professional, and not personally knowing your ex, I honestly can't say if his behavior is due to cyclothymia specifically. What I can say, is that the constant internal struggle - the feeling insecure, not being happy with oneself, and being unhappy with where we feel we are in life, is pretty consistent, because of the depression component of cylothymia. I can also say that, sadly, it is not all that uncommon to take it out on those we feel closest to. This is NOT an excuse - it's not ok to treat people badly. I just don't want you to think you're alone in this. I'm not sure why this is, though for myself, it often feels that those we love are really the only people we feel safe being ourselves with, and sometimes, ourselves are insecure, unhappy, emotions all over the place. Often, speaking from my own experience, we often turn to those people to make us feel better.... except that because we have an illness, nobody can make us feel better, just like they couldn't if we had a physical illness like cancer. And then, when they can't make us feel better, it feels like they somehow failed us, or it's their fault - despite the fact that we know deep down it's not. It's easier to feel this way than to heap more self-doubt on ourselves, unfortunately. It's completely unfair to those we love, but often, there's a slippery slope between being comfortable with someone enough to be ourselves, even at the toughest moment, and taking it out on people. It's a very long process to understand not only what we're experiencing, but that we have to be the most active participant in our treatment. i.e. Nobody or nothing else can make it better for us. It's easy when we're in a depression to think "if only he/she didn't do this or that, or wasn't this way or that. Or if only I had a better job, or more friends." And certainly things can make us feel better or worse (i.e. a job we love that could give us the flexibility when we're unwell makes it easier certainly) but ultimately, we have an illness, and it needs to be dealt with as such. i.e. if we had cancer, we wouldn't assume walking away from everyone, or getting a new job, could fix it. It can't with this either. But that's a long process, and unfortunately, it's one that some of us need to make on our own. Or at least start alone. Sometimes we need to feel like we just have to get a handle on ourselves, and trying to be a good spouse or friend or employee or whatever is just too much to do simultaneously. And we need to take those first steps alone. Everyone's different, and I don't know him so I honestly can't say for him personally. Perhaps, if you do have contact with him, focus on if there's anything you can do to help him with the illness aspect. If he's feeling depressed and struggling to get out of bed, is there something you can help with, for instance? This might help to show him that you're there to help, be a support to him, but not that it doesn't require anything particular from him. You're just there to help if you can be of assistance. But it sounds like he's in a place where he's starting to accept what he feels, but not yet really sure exactly how to handle it. That's a tough place for all involved, and there's no easy solution, unfortunately. For you (because you have to take care of you too! He has the illness but it's not all about him) it might be helpful to find resources for people whose loved ones have Mental illness. I believe NAMI (nami.org) has some - especially in their local chapters. They also have some really great resources on mental illness in general. It's worth checking out, maybe see if there's a local chapter you can contact for info. Because important that those helping us have support too! Maya Northen Augellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469306092296810650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-41555396908843280572018-10-15T02:16:32.165-04:002018-10-15T02:16:32.165-04:00I’m desperately seeking advice. My 47yr old ex boy...I’m desperately seeking advice. My 47yr old ex boyfriend has cyclothymia, and has never been taken any meds for it. He broke up with me because i found he had been talking to several women via text, and social media. It was not the first time he had done this, and it shocked me when I discovered this. I was utterly shocked since we were living together, he proposed marriage and constantly told me how in love he was with me, and yes he behaved very loving and affectionate. I had also become pregnant but sadly miscarried. So he asked me to go to a fertility clinic to try and conceive. He initiated everything all within a year. And I happily went along with it since I was so in love with him. <br />The same day he broke up with me, he became distant, and cold. The following day he told me how he’s sorry for everything and that he’s a coward. He was so hard on himself, and expressed how he’s scared. But he’s not sure of what. He then went on to say he’s a very insecure man, and needs attention, and how he hates where he is in his career and financially isn’t doing well. Then he also said how he doesn’t know why, or how he just doesn’t feel the same towards me, but that he still loves me. So I asked him why did he recently buy tickets to visit Greece together, and why would he initiate wanting to marry me sooner, and why had he left me a beautiful love note the morning before. It was beyond alarming to me. In fact he’d be the first to initiate everything, including calls and texts, and if I didn’t respond within 2hours he’d become worried and concerned. To now never calling me. The extreme is unreal. Especially since I also had become pregnant again, and suffered another miscarriage, yet he never followed up with me. <br />He is staying in his old apartment, still working but caring for his sick 90yr old father, who’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He doesn’t have any help and is overwhelmed to say the least. I’ve reached out a few times to let him know I’m here for him, and he’s told me how depressed he feels. And how he forces himself to get outta bed. He says he knows he’s withdrawn completely, and he feels emotionally unconnected. <br />So in your opinion does this sound like his cyclomythia or is it normal for a person to be in love one minute and then shut if off the next?<br />It’s painful, it’s sad, and it’s so confusing. Sophiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06296826040285720935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-7343997422797542872018-05-18T08:46:07.708-04:002018-05-18T08:46:07.708-04:00Oh MacKenzie, I feel like we are kindred spirits! ...Oh MacKenzie, I feel like we are kindred spirits! Travel is also my passion -I run a travel planning company part time, and I spent 6 month studying abroad in Australia when I was in college (and have traveled many places since). I love my travel business, but it isn't a full-time thing, and though I love to travel, I have now become determined that my "purpose", for lack of a better term is to use my experiences with cyclothymia/mental health to help others. I have recently started Spread Hope Project for this purpose, and am still trying to figure out exactly what I want to do with it. I would love to chat with you more about it, if you would like. I have a bunch of other suggestions if you'd like - organizations you may be able to get involved in, trainings/certifications. If you email me at iumy23 (at) gmail.com, we could definitely chat further - I have a lot of thoughts, probably too much to put in comments! :-) Maya Northen Augellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469306092296810650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-67657779508813986712018-05-18T07:24:23.619-04:002018-05-18T07:24:23.619-04:00Hi Maya,
I can't tell you what it felt like t...Hi Maya,<br /><br />I can't tell you what it felt like to find your post that defined cyclothymia for you. I'd given up on knowing how to find someone like me who could put it into into words. Someone who understands that you feel like you are giving a half-truth when you simply say "bipolar" because no one knows about cyclothymia, and then not wanting them to view it as "mild" when you go into the definition of cyclothymia you find online. What you wrote is how I live as well.<br />I was diagnosed when I was 22. I didn't let it affect what I wanted to do with my life. I worked on a farm in Hawaii, I taught English in Ecuador. And I somehow managed to backpack alone in Australia for almost a year with as many triggers as you can think of.<br />I'm back home and I feel like I'll never be free again. These last few months I've reached lows I've never gotten to. It is getting worse and I'm getting scared. Travel is my passion, and now I don't have money to do it and am shackled to my need for health insurance. And I can't function beyond 3 days. I've been taken to the hospital, tried all the medicines you can think of. I won't go into a the gritty details. But I need to funnel my pain to help others and be a part of something, but I don't know where to start.<br />I've always lived subconsciously thinking that eventually I would have a life that made it not be something I had to think about everyday. I've lived thinking adrenaline and experiences would fulfill me. But now I want to connect with people. I want to help people save their lives and save my own.<br />Can you help by giving me some ideas as to where to start?<br />Thank you again. If your goal is to make someone feel less alone, you succeeded. <br />-MackenzieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-26855461883012085602018-05-14T08:50:11.562-04:002018-05-14T08:50:11.562-04:00Hi Vee, I overthink nonstop so if you are, you'...Hi Vee, I overthink nonstop so if you are, you're in good company. I understand your wanting to know for sure if you have cyclothymia. I was honestly relieved at getting a diagnosis simply because it was good to know what was going on, and to know that the course of treatment (therapy being a huge part of that) was in fact the best course for me to be on. I'm glad to hear you're doing so well!Maya Northen Augellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469306092296810650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-54705128897937126382018-05-12T09:08:06.076-04:002018-05-12T09:08:06.076-04:00Hey Maya,
thanks so much for sharing your story. ...Hey Maya, <br />thanks so much for sharing your story. I just wanted to say that I came across this blogpost wondering if I have cyclothymia, and it's not the first time that I've thought about this. Sometimes, I feel things like the blues or a kick of energy that has me wanting to run 10 miles, like you said, and I don't know why (right now I'm feeling the 10 miles sort of way). Over the years, I've learned how to live with it, and as I am seeing a therapist, I am the happiest I have ever been. I don't need a diagnosis, but it would be nice to know for sure if I do have cyclothymia. Honestly, there's a weird part of me that thinks that these things make you a more interesting person, but if I was, it's a label that could change my life. And despite what any humanist wants to say about the futility of labels, labels definitely have power. <br />Anyways, you might not respond to this. You might think I'm just overthinking my own emotions. Or you might respond and we can have a cool chat. <br />Either way, I really appreciated this post. <br />Vee. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-532514084776177412018-02-28T09:00:23.776-05:002018-02-28T09:00:23.776-05:00Thank you for your comment. I'm sorry to hear ...Thank you for your comment. I'm sorry to hear that you have struggled with this all your life. I also thought it was just my normal moods. It was almost a relief to finally get a diagnosis, because I could start to figure out how to actually work with it. As for fighting the bad days to feel more empowered, that is definitely a struggle. For me, I have a few things I try, that aren't always guaranteed, but they do help. One thing is setting smaller goals that I think I can achieve even with the moods. I'll set a couple of these, even simple things like responding to a few emails that I feel need a quick reply. Or going for a short walk outside to get moving. And accomplishing goals, no matter how small, often makes me feel more "in control". I've also learned that often, not fighting the mood itself is a big help. I accept that it's a tough day, and just kind of say "let's see what I can get done despite that". Because I've found that trying to change the mood is a losing battle most of the time - and not being able makes me feel disempowered (the whole, "wow, I can't even control my own brain" feeling). So I kind of say to myself "ok, I can see how today is going to feel, let's see how far I can get". And sometimes, I basically just muddle through the day, and other times I actually surprise myself. I also find alone time works well if possible - feeling like I don't have to "keep it together" for people allows me to just sit with my feelings. Again, it's the feeling of taking away situations in which I feel like it's a losing battle. That said, as an introvert, alone time is always great for me, so it may not work the same for others. Mainly, I try to just be as gentle with myself as I can. I try to look at it from the perspective of if a friend was struggling, or even if you were struggling with a "physical illness". If a friend had a bout of a stomach flu, I'd probably not expect them to be able to control it and get a whole lot done. I try to look at my moods the same way. I know this isn't a ton, but I hope it helps a little bit. Maya Northen Augellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469306092296810650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-89289106529542213552018-02-28T03:08:12.630-05:002018-02-28T03:08:12.630-05:00Hello! Wow you are so brave sharing your story, th...Hello! Wow you are so brave sharing your story, thank you! I have been diagnosed with Cyclothymia and have had this my whole life. Although for most of my life i just accepted my moods as a normal facet of day to day life. Of course we accept the conditions in which we are born in too, this is why i didnt realise i had a mood disorder. I continued life, struggling along, loosing jobs, loosing friends, my life has been a constant roller coaster. Now that i understand what my condition is, i can start dealing with the inevitable ups and downs with coping strategies. One question i wanted to ask, is what do you do when you are trying to fight the bad days to feel more empowered? I tend to feel completely at the mercy of my moods and hate how disempowered and helpless i feel on bad days. Thanks again for sharing your story, i am not alone! It feels so good to know this!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09326721990384864209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-81099267860954049092017-05-10T14:49:59.517-04:002017-05-10T14:49:59.517-04:00I try to do yoga and meditation as many days a wee...I try to do yoga and meditation as many days a week as I can, which does help. Writing (journaling and just writing in general) also helps me greatly. I find my medication incredibly helpful, though I certainly cycle plenty still - just not as much as I probably would otherwise. I feel incredibly isolated - it's so tough to explain to those who don't go through it, even if they technically understand it. It can be very lonely. Maya Northen Augellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469306092296810650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-4350878433095387532017-05-10T14:28:44.715-04:002017-05-10T14:28:44.715-04:00No she's not new . I really don't want to ...No she's not new . I really don't want to give up on it but it's so scary trying to get your head around the actual mental health issues without having to explain it to someone there to help. I'm trying a lot of meditation and yoga sessions that seems to help . Also 100mg of setraline a day which has just been increased as I'm getting a little unsteady. Have you found medication or other outlets helpful. Has anyone else felt so isolated?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-74909422358500761582017-05-01T03:29:57.218-04:002017-05-01T03:29:57.218-04:00Been recently to see a therapist and they have nev...Been recently to see a therapist and they have never heard of cycloththemia. Feel so alone and isolated . Has anyone had similar experience?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-32456681939880941242017-04-30T19:14:03.578-04:002017-04-30T19:14:03.578-04:00Wow! I've not had that from anyone involved in...Wow! I've not had that from anyone involved in mental health. I have had other medical professionals who haven't heard of it, but not in mental health. I'm so sorry you're feeling alone. Is this a therapist you've been with or someone new? If new, maybe not the one for you? Your therapist should never contribute to your feeling alone. I'm so sorry. Maya Northen Augellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469306092296810650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-90315099354867858962017-04-30T18:08:52.703-04:002017-04-30T18:08:52.703-04:00Iv recently been to see a therapist for cbt both m...Iv recently been to see a therapist for cbt both my therapist and the mental health assessor had never heard of cycloththemia. Has this happened to anyone else? I feel so alone Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-55721608463275624312017-03-17T11:52:37.413-04:002017-03-17T11:52:37.413-04:00I'm so sorry you're dealing with all this....I'm so sorry you're dealing with all this. I too am very rapid and have experienced similar situations, where I'm crying at one point in the day, and a few hours later feeling fine. It's so scary, and those around me don't know what to do. Unfortunately, I think some have chosen to kind of ignore those parts where I'm crying, thinking "this will pass and she'll be fine soon"... which really hurts. I too isolate and hide out in depression. I tend to not want to be around anyone then. I put on a mask all day and so when I take it off, I never want to have to pretend, even around those I'm close to. I also find I take this out on those I can be myself with, unfortunately - I tend to unleash everything I've been holding on to all day, because it feels so good to finally let it go, even if it's misdirected. I always feel awful afterwards. Maya Northen Augellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469306092296810650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-20615680765012195462017-03-17T11:46:37.740-04:002017-03-17T11:46:37.740-04:00I am also a very rapid cycler. I cycle multiple ti...I am also a very rapid cycler. I cycle multiple times a day. Yesterday I woke up fine, but before lunch I had tears streaming down my face and I had no idea why. Then when I got home from work I was fine and got a lot done. This scares the crap out of everyone who knows me. And the depressive cycles make me withdraw from everyone because I have experienced in the past that nobody wants someone to bring them down. So all I do is isolate myself when I'm depressed. At work, I also have learned to put on a mask. I'm better at it now than I used to, but during depressive episodes I try to stay at my desk with my headphones on so I don't have to interact with someone unless necessary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-37398599414921996432017-01-17T08:48:48.124-05:002017-01-17T08:48:48.124-05:00Thank you for your comment, and for sharing your s...Thank you for your comment, and for sharing your story. I'm sorry to hear that you have been going through all of this. While I'm glad to hear the medication helped the suicidal thoughts (I have battled those as well), I'm sorry to hear that cyclothymia has had such a difficult effect on your career. I too can cycle numerous times in a day, and know how difficult it can be for me to maintain a sense of "normalcy" (as in going through the work day without it affecting work, etc). I hope that things start to improve for you, and I think that your strategy of taking it one day at a time is sometimes the best thing we can do in times like this. Thank you again for sharing your story. <br />Maya Northen Augellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469306092296810650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-8670085147221863392017-01-17T05:21:05.422-05:002017-01-17T05:21:05.422-05:00Hi Maya
I stumbled across your blog when searching...Hi Maya<br />I stumbled across your blog when searching for something, but I'm not sure what. Thank you for sharing your story, It's good to see how others cope. Here is my story: After trying to be normal for so long it got too much 6 years ago (age 52). I went to the doctor and told him I was type 2. Some weeks later the diagnosis of Cyclothymia was handed down. Mine is the rapid type like yours, however there can be multiple swings in a day and the depression usually includes suicidal thoughts (this had done on for decades, I thought it was normal). Fortunately medication has alleviated these. At the end of 2014 I was forced to leave my job (primary/elementary teacher) due to problems with anxiety. This continues to be a problem and has also adversely affected subsequent employment to the point where I'm almost unemployable. It's one day at a time. Thank you once again. Pikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02873803294900682476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-36982491053113004202016-09-06T08:06:01.037-04:002016-09-06T08:06:01.037-04:00Thank you for sharing your story. I'm sorry th...Thank you for sharing your story. I'm sorry that you are battling all of these. Having a good GP, or any doctor/medical professional in your corner is such a great help. Love and hugs to you as well. Maya Northen Augellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469306092296810650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-49918527633371203112016-09-04T16:41:50.003-04:002016-09-04T16:41:50.003-04:00Hi Maya & others reading this,
Great post &am...Hi Maya & others reading this,<br /><br />Great post & messages. I am 43 & was diagnosed with Cyclothymia, PTSD & Depression 10 months ago but I think I've had Cyclothymia for most of my life. No one around me understands, but how could they when the illness is so unpredictable we struggle to understand it ourselves?! I do however have a great GP thank goodness. And it's good to be able to read that I'm really not alone in feeling the way I feel. Love & hugs to you all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-5169460163432880712016-03-02T11:55:12.008-05:002016-03-02T11:55:12.008-05:00Yes thats really what I want is to talk to someone...Yes thats really what I want is to talk to someone with a lot of experience who can give some good advice. I felt with this GP that she was assuming I was just there seeking medication! Anyway thanks again, I ll let you know how I get on :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-48115734404930322822016-03-01T09:16:17.140-05:002016-03-01T09:16:17.140-05:00Hi Rupert,
My GP was honestly pretty dismissive t...Hi Rupert, <br />My GP was honestly pretty dismissive too (I no longer see this GP) and gave me something that actually made me worse, b/c with my rapid cycling I can't be on it. It doesn't sound like you're making too much of it, and honestly, it can't hurt to talk to someone just to see. I'm not sure what rules are like there in regards to medicine, but here, only a psychiatrist or other type of doctor can prescribe medication. So many people go first to a counselor/therapist to just talk and not worry about having meds pushed on them, and then, if the therapist thinks a medication would help, they can make a doctor/psychiatrist appointment. Not sure if that's the same over there though? Finding the right therapist/doctor takes a lot of trial and error at times, but it's very much worth it to have someone you can trust. Maya Northen Augellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469306092296810650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-9084042758469440952016-03-01T05:59:21.048-05:002016-03-01T05:59:21.048-05:00Hi Maya,
Thanks a lot for your thoughtful answer. ...Hi Maya,<br />Thanks a lot for your thoughtful answer. It makes a lot of sense to me. I think for me the down times do come at unpredictable times. Equally they can swing the other way very unpredictably. But when I am down the negative thoughts about my life take over. They can vary in length although typically a very down period can be around a couple of weeks. I m unsure about whether Im making too much of it as partly its just my British mentality - just grin and bear it! Also I finally bit the bullet and spoke to a GP last year who was pretty dismissive. She also advised against seeing the local psychiatrist who she said would probably just prescribe something unnecessarily. Anyway I just want to get more opinions from people I have confidence in so will seek that out. Thanks again for your reply, much appreciated :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-73128203198883266952016-02-29T07:38:20.813-05:002016-02-29T07:38:20.813-05:00Hi Rupert,
Thank you for your comment, and your q...Hi Rupert, <br />Thank you for your comment, and your question. I think knowing your overall personality vs condition is a very fine line, and it can be difficult, because it's quite easy for the lines to blur. I try to look for patters. i.e. Do the periods of "up" and "down" seem to have any pattern in terms of frequency, length, etc (though for me with rapid cycling, this can be tricky as there isn't as much of a pattern). Similarly, are they triggered by anything particular. For instance, if you're primarily feeling down when struggling with thoughts about work, relationships, or any other life "situation", for lack of a better word, then it could just be your own thoughts on your life, though that's certainly not always the case. If there seems to be no particular trigger (i.e. I'll just wake up feeling depressed), then I'd say in my experience, it's more likely something medical going on. It's rare for people to just wake up depressed regularly without any external trigger. Perhaps, if you're feeling bad about your life, use those big plans you create in your better moods as motivation - don't be too tough on yourself, but I find that if I have a goal, and I can break it down into manageable parts, even if I can do one tiny thing on my down days to work towards it (sending an email, making a call, reaching out to someone, whatever you feel you're up for at the moment), then it helps me feel like I'm working on something, and less like a failure (I go through a ton of that too!), plus it makes me at least do one thing that day, even if I do nothing else. I hope this helps a little bit. I'm sorry to hear you're going through all of this. Maya Northen Augellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469306092296810650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-47900098617456786972016-02-28T20:55:20.833-05:002016-02-28T20:55:20.833-05:00Hi Maya,
I was researching cyclothymia and found y...Hi Maya,<br />I was researching cyclothymia and found you. I've been struggling with my moods for pretty well as long as I can remember. In the last couple of years things seem more extreme. I ve been getting q severe down periods where I go days without leaving the house, swamped in my own negativity and anxiety. The periods of ups are generally shorter and don't involve me going wild at parties etc but just feeling amazing and thinking such big plans! Once started these can come back to haunt me as I struggle to finish things when feeling down. Anyway, a lot of what you and others describe about cyclothymia seems to fit me perfectly. But I can't help thinking, maybe I'm down because I'm just disappointed with my life. Im 34 and I've never had a serious relationship. I havent really succeeded at much career wise as ive never had the rigour to see things through. I've always had social anxiety and low self esteem. Either way, I know I need some help. But how do you ever feel you can know which of your struggles are mental illness/chemical and which are just your personality? <br />Thanks a lot<br />RupertAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6603883426306376921.post-58741421823930749192016-02-22T13:03:00.257-05:002016-02-22T13:03:00.257-05:00Thank you for your comment, and for sharing your e...Thank you for your comment, and for sharing your experience. I'm sorry to hear that you are going through a tough state right now. The ups and downs can be frustrating as they can make life unpredictable. I guess the only "positive" is that we know they will not last forever. Maya Northen Augellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02469306092296810650noreply@blogger.com