I ate salt excessively. Big mistake!
My last hospitalization was over
the winter holidays of 2018. I was
in a dissociative state for nearly
30 days and it took me until
March 2019 before I felt strong
enough to pen my story. I am
sharing my story to let others
know that something as simple as
a well balanced diet can be an answer
to someone feeling as lost as
I did.
According to an article on the
website LIVESTRONG, potassium
is one of the most abundant
minerals found in the body. Potassium
constitutes 70 percent of the
positive ions in your cells and is
central to electrical and cellular
function.
When deficiencies of potassium
occur, you may experience symptoms
such as excessive thirst,
muscle weakness, constipation,
heart palpitations, arrhythmia and
dizziness, as I did.
Surprisingly, low levels of potassium
can also affect you psychologically:
mental lethargy, depression,
mood swings, psychosis, disorientation
and confusion are all
examples of mental disorders that
can manifest.
I now know when I begin to feel
not quite like myself to immediately
begin my journey back to
healthy with the basics. I will
have my levels checked right
away. I am no longer afraid to explain
to the physician that I have
had mania with memory loss. I am
strong enough to tell others what
happened to me. I have a severe
dissociative disorder; It is caused
by low potassium.
I personally do not remember any
of the physical symptoms but I
will never forget the feeling of
massive mania and the feeling of
being locked within my own
mind. I am learning to adjust to
my new found need for healthy
lifestyle choices but I also hope
that by sharing my story that others
can perhaps avoid a ten day
mental health lock down by the
knowledge I have gained in the
last year.
It is my hopes that every patient
can remain their own best advocate.
If you are having psychosis
or mental issues please do not
wait. Please inform your doctor or
emergency room providers that
you need a complete set of labs
tested as soon as possible. It could
help you avoid the very serious
and dangerous health issues of
low potassium.
iPain Living Magazine — 17