Posted by barbaracat on December 31, 2004, at 20:23:14
In reply to Re: St. John's success and some thoughts » barbaracat, posted by KaraS on December 31, 2004, at 14:24:24
You asked if SJW provides enough energy and motivation and was it a problem. Yes, having enough steady energy and motivation has always been a problem, as well as periods of disorganization that prevented getting anything done. I'm bipolar so my hypomanias would start gangbusters with projects everywhere and tons of energy and then fizzle out and nothing could interest me in them afterwards. I have a garage full of evidence. I also have fibromyalgia so energy and pain and all that it causes have made energy and motivation a big issue.
I can't say that I've suddenly become Queen of Clean or Miss Organization, but with a clearer, happier feeling I'm more inclined to take care of business without feeling overwhelmed. I think it may take a little while to relearn all those organizational skills I forgot while being severely bipolar depressed for many years - but I now have the motivation and the trust that I'm moving forward and finally enjoying my life, even when nothing much is happening in it, and I didn't just 6 months ago - so that's something.
What I've noticed from the SJW and motivation is that I simply feel better in the present moment and so am natually inspired to do something, whatever seems appropriate for the moment. It's like a feeling of intrigue or curiosity that draws me to it and keeps it interesting. Depression seems to suck away all curiosity and interest and you need that for motivation.
I have more energy, which is a big component of motivation, and energy creates more energy, especially when I kick my butt to get outside and exercise. But I don't know if that's totally attributable to SJW. I'm doing so many nutritional and hormonal things that might all be synergistic, however, SJW has been the most recent addition and I can track my improvement since starting it.
My husband's case might be more definitive. Since I've known him for 20 years he's had dysthymia. His major symptoms were lack of motivation and ambition and lethargy the 'grey zone'. He was on Zoloft for a while during a real stressful time and it helped, but he didn't like the 'other' side effects. He recently started HBC Protocols and at 2 pills we both noticed a difference, but it wasn't quite enough. He went up to 3 pills and the difference in this man has been amazing. He's out there chopping wood, fixing appliances, just getting things done, wanting to do things. He too has been on a good nutritional and hormonal regimen as well which I'm sure is contributing, but the timing of his taking SJW and the changes in him coincide. He himself agrees that he ought to be the SJW poster boy. Plus, no bad sexual side effects. Quite the opposite (Yay!)
For me, when I'm feeling good and my health is good, there's just an impetus to get up and do something because life seems interesting. It's a calling feeling rather than a driven feeling like I've gotten with SSRI's. My motivation and energy improved, but it was a little bit frantic.
If you get on the right combination of SJW, the feeling is a more peaceful centeredness that notices when something needs doing and then responds in a focused manner.
poster:barbaracat
thread:435452
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20041212/msgs/436167.html