I am having a really rough time with anxiety and i haven’t been able to track down what the issue is. I’ve also been cycling very rapidly from morning to night. Wish i knew what the problem is.
Hi Gail,
I’ve had anxiety for many years- it’s a normal part of bipolar and it can be reduced. It comes from many areas:
Work- sometimes the requirements of work are stressful for people with bipolar disorder. I remember working as a teacher- as long as I was with my students I was fine- but when the classes ended, I would go into the teacher’s lounge and lie on the couch. I am not like that at all anymore now that I do the stuff in my books- I can work through the anxiety, but it is still often there.
Relationships- I don’t date because the situation adds too much pressure to my brain and [ Read More ]
The only difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II is the type of mania. Bipolar I has full blown mania- Bipolar II has hypomania. Bipolar II never has full blown mania- if it happens, the diagnosis is changed to Bipolar I. People with Bipolar I can definitely get hypomanic as well as fully manic!
Euphoric and dysphoric mania…..
There are two types of mania seen in both Bipolar I and Bipolar II : euphoric mania and dysphoric mania . Euphoric is just like it sounds. Dysphoric is harder to understand as we are not used to the word! Dysphoric mania means agitated mania. It’s a very uncomfortable feeling!
Naturally, there is a lot of mental and physical agitation with dysphoric mania , but a person in this mood swing can be very aggressive and even violent. There are always sleep problems – the person looks haggard and worn out. They may sweat a lot and usually look [ Read More ]
I just received a comment from Reanna about her rapid cycling that won’t stop. I have been there so I understand! She asked a question about bipolar disorder treatment. Here is the question and my answer:Julie,Reading your posts has been very helpful–thank you! I have been having a horrible time with “mixed episodes” in where I will be up for a few hours, then out of no where, boom, I am down, then up, then down! My dr. ordered blood tests, but any suggestions on coping methods until the tests kick in?Reanna
Hi Reanna, Oh yes, I certainly understand. I have done that rapid cycling. It’s hard to get all of the terms straight with this illness! When you go up and then down- that is rapid cycling. A lot of rapid cycling. We are similar. I can have five or more [ Read More ]
It’s hard to write about mania considering that I have been in a downswing for a week, but it’s a topic I have to continually address- I hear stories all summer about people who go off their meds because they feel so GREAT and then the disasters that follow. It’s easy to think – the sun is just so WONDERUFL!!!!!! when the weather gets nice, you’re off school, you have a vacation, the kids are home, etc.
There is no doubt that summer is wonderful if you were depressed in the winter- but this is just a friendly reminder that when things get WONDERFUL!!!!!, it’s time to check for mania. Here are some questions to ask yourself – or ask the person you care about.
1. Are you sleeping a lot less than what is considered the norm- but are still filled with energy the next day? The norm is six to eight hours- mania sleep [ Read More ]
I’m here in my office using all the ideas I can think of from my books! I have an article due- it’s going well- but getting the work done is literally physically painful! My brain feels like it’s going to explode and my body is very uncomfortable- it’s a mild form of dysphoric mania where my mood is mildly down but my energy is agitated. I’m definitely having trouble concentrating. Dysphoric mania is the opposite of euphoric mania (where things feels good!) – psychosis is often a part of dysphoric mania, though I’m not feeling any psychotic symptoms. When I start seeing things- then I’ll worry about psychosis. This all has to make me laugh a bit. I’m so used to these mood swings- and so used to writing about bipolar disorder that I am no longer even scared of the odd symptoms-
Bipolar anxiety is really common when you’re depressed- and a large part of dysphoric mania where depression and mania are combined.
But there is also just plain old anxiety that visits on its own. I call this free form anxiety as it just sort of floats around and comes in and out in waves. When this happens, as it is today- I have to remind myself that….
You can work through anxiety. Your body will still function and work can still get done. It’s just not comfortable. After over two weeks of solid mood swings, I’m feeling better, but the anxiety is floating around! I’m working on an article on psychosis. I love this topic and am excited to get it done- so I have to work through this anxiety that wants me to stop. It makes my body feel so tense and uncomfortable !
I made a promise to myself a long time ago- [ Read More ]
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