Tips to add spice to your social life…
I get really lonely when I get sick. Even though I have a lot of friends, I still miss the company that comes with belonging to a social group. This happens because I work on my own. I think a lot about ways to get myself out in public and a part of a group. Here are some suggestions:
Toastmasters. Wow, what a great group of people. Toastmasters is a worldwide speaking organization. I was in a group for two years and still have friendships with the people I met years ago. If you’re thinking, OMG, I can’t speak in public! Well, that is what it’s all about. It makes you able to speak in public! It’s also a great way to learn how to run an executive style meeting and become a leader in the community.
http://www.toastmasters.org/
Boys and Girls Clubs- what a great place to volunteer! That is certainly a group!
Study a foreign language. Here in Portland, Oregon you can study a language and then find a few places in town where you can actually go have a glass of wine and practice!
Join a sports team. I would do this in two seconds if I didn’t have a bum shoulder!
Go to an evening community education class- or teach one! I can’t believe how many friends I made the last time I taught a writing class.
And if you just like to go out and have fun, I suggest www.meetin.org
Find a place you like to hang out and become a regular.
My college had an alumni association meeting in Seattle and I missed it. Duh!
My high school crown from Hawaii gets together here in Portland. I just have to find them. Duh!
Put an ad on Craigslist and start your own group.
There is a group here called Love Tribe. Wow. It’s huge and people love it. Another community is the Estatic Dance Community. This is very much the Burning Man crowd- but whatever floats your boat!
It’s hard to do this stuff when you’re depressed, which is why it’s good to set it up when you’re well. I have a few rules when I start with a new group. I make a commitment to go to meetings which means I still go even when I’m depressed. I always feel better after the meeting!
Have fun!
Julie
Dear Julie,
I had a severe bout of akathesia when I was on Abilify and the irritability and mania were over the top. At age 50, I started cutting myself for the first time, almost jumped off the balcony and ended up in the hospital(first time ever) for 3 wks. I had a similar problem when I first tried Abilify a few months before but I wanted to try it again because it made me feel sooo good. My doctor cut way back but still the same results — an incredible high, then crash.
As you said, although these drugs can do wonders for some people, they can cause some bad side effects in others. I also had dizziness and double-vision once when my Lamictal and Depakote levels were too high but overall, I have had good results with both of those drugs.
Kat
Hi Kat,
I am dealing with the akathesia again. I had hoped that the brand Lamictal would take away all of my side effects of the generics! Oh well. I agree that there are meds that work great for people and those that don’t! I have a friend on Abilify who says it saved her life. I’d love to take it- but I also get severe side effects. I think we should all keep trying new drugs- but only slowly and at smaller doses so taht we don’t end up in the hospital from the drugs themselves!
I have found that exericse is without question the best rememdy for mild to moderate restlessness.
Julie
Julie