Wow, I had a wild hypomanic episode a few months ago. I wrote about it at the time. If you go to the mania link to the right, you can read all about mania and my experiences. It’s a very, very dangerous mood swings as it feels good- absolutely no one wants to be depressed, but people who experience euphoric mania often welcome it and never want it to end. (Agitated mania is called dysphoric mania- it’s also explained on the mania link to the right.)
We really are moving into the mania season. Sunlight affects our sleep as we get more sun through the eyes – which affects the brain. So, yes- keeping out of the sun helps. But who wants to do that if they have been depressed?
This is a complicated illness- and we have to know [ Read More ]
I often wonder how to describe the difference between mania and depression.
Depression: Feel you are the only person in the world. Mania: Feel completely at one with the world. Depression: Living in the past Mania: Living completely in the moment- this is particularly true with euphoric mania Depression: Silence Mania: Chattering nonsense when it goes too far
I could go on and on! Things get really complicated when the moods are combined- this is known as a mixed episode or dysphoric mania. People with dysphoric mania have all of the energy of a person with euphoric mania, but it’s agitated, uncomfortable mentally and physically and often comes with psychosis.
I have had a few mixed episodes myself. Anti psychotic medications- including Zyprexa, Abilify, Risperdal and Serequel are often used for dysphoric mania along with the mood stabilizers Lithium, Depakote and Tegretol. I find that Lamictal helps me a lot, especially since I can’t [ Read More ]
Oh man, I had a terrible up swing yesterday! The problem with mania- well, there are so many problems with mania it would take a year to write them all down. The problem is that there are so many forms and they are all so sneaky. I’m an expert on mania treatment now- I have done everything possible to notice the signs of mania and get the mania to stop. And it still sneaks up on me.
I had a strong hypomanic episode yesterday. It started out fun and then felt like I was on a way too fast merry go round. I could feel my brain warping. I got so excited about my work I was giddy. It was a bit scary. I actually couldn’t tell if I truly was excited or if it was a mood swing. Looking back, it was 100% mania. People don’t go that wild when things [ Read More ]
Mania is a strange thing. It completely takes away reasoning if you let it. Last night, I went into a mild upswing around 10PM, but I was able to keep it in check. I knew it was there as it’s been happening all week. While I was in bed reading and writing in my journal, I suddenly had the strong urge to go to karaoke and drink! It just felt like such a good idea. It was fleeting, and of course I didn’t act on it, but god almighty, that is ridiculous. Especially considering that I have cut my social activities in half in order to stay stable enough to work.
I stayed in bed and managed to sleep with the help of Ativan and a little extra Lamictal. But it worries me.
I get euphoric mania. Since I have bipolar II, I technically have hypomania.
It feels so good. 95% of my bipolar disorder is depression. So mania is like a dream come true- but as with all dreams, you have to wake up.
I am upset because I’m rapid cycling. When I get hypomanic, I think- what if I were like this all of the time? Work is easy- life is easy- I don’t want to overeat- everthing looks beautiful. Why am I tortured with this utopia only to have it taken from me in a few days.
I spent many years in this confusion before I was diagnosed with bipolar disoder in 1995.
I still have the questions, but I know the answer. I am tortured because I have bipolar disorder.
It’s an illness. I now have to go into treatment mode. I’m hypomanic as I write this- the [ Read More ]
1. Use the energy to get as much work done as possible. Things have been quite terrible for a month- so I can at least use this energy to get caught up as much as possible. 2. Realize that I always want to drink when I get like this. I rarely drink otherwise. So, tonight, when I see friends for karaoke, I will not have Ouzo! 3. Be home and in bed by midnight at the latest.
Get ready for the downswing.
It’s all about awareness. I created the Health Cards to help me manage this illness- they have helped me manage this mania better than any treatment I have ever known. I am thankful I can recognize this for what it is and do something about it. I refuse, absoluely refuse to make the manic mistakes of [ Read More ]
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