Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

I wrote the following in 2007. Nothing has really changed in terms of what bipolar disorder does- but I can say that I still use  my treatment plan and I haven’t made any manic mistakes in a long time!

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It was just lovely. I remember driving down the road to my house thinking. Is this what normal feels like? This is so wonderful. I’ve been doing so well lately! Maybe this is the real me!

And right then I knew I was manic. It was a huge disappointment. I had been having so much fun. I wasn’t covered in the depression fog when I went out. I didn’t eat junk food and I could talk to anyone.

I can’t believe how it snuck up on me. I haven’t had a winter manic episode in a very long time.

My family and friends noticed it first. They all know how to use my Health Cards [ Read More ]

Mania is an abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood. In the elevated state, the mood is upbeat, euphoric, and happy. In an expansive state, the mood is intense, and emotions are shown with no inhibition. Although many people think that euphoria and expansive moods are the main characteristics of mania, many people in a manic episode experience irritability, anxiety or an uncomfortable sense of increased energy.

Mania is a very dangerous, difficult to spot and often very difficult to treat mood swing once it goes too far.

There are two types of mania in bipolar disorder: full blown mania and hypomania. Full blown mania is a requirement of a bipolar I diagnosis. Hypomania ( milder form of full blown mania with similar symptoms, but with much less intensity) is a milder form of mania that is a requirement for a bipolar II diagnosis. This is one of the main reasons it’s so important [ Read More ]