I recently wrote a blog post for BP Magazine on the topic of talking too darn much when you’re manic. I know what it feels like from both sides. I’ve talked so much I’ve worn myself out and I recently went through a friend’s manic episode where she was talking so fast- and her flight of ideas were out of control- I couldn’t keep up!
“Julie, I’m not manic. Am I manic? ‘I’m going to walk it off. I just got up this morning- well I didn’t really sleep- but I got up and took an hour power walk and then I went to the gym and swam for two hours. Do you think that exercise will cure this mania? I do! I think it can. I’m just going to keep walking and walking and get better that way.”
You can’t get a word in. When you’re manic, you try to hard not to talk! But sometimes you can’t help it. Here is my post from BP Magazine.
Talking Over People When You’re Manic
Please leave comments on the post. I know that people get so much out of reading about other people’s experiences!
Julie
I highly recommend BP Magazine. The information is educational, interesting, has my column! and the price is right.
Hi Julie,
Wow, do I have pressured speech right now. My storytelling is ridiculous if someone gets me started. I have been experiencing my first mixed state episode for the last few weeks, and the mania is hanging around a lot longer than I’ve ever had it. Very weird to go through this. Finally saw P. Doc last week and she has increased Lamictal and added Abilify (I really did not want to take that drug due to possible side effects w/blood sugar levels). I’ve also given in for the first time and got some Klonopin. I HATE taking drugs, but have cried Uncle because I need them.
Alaska’s daylight finally got me, I guess. I sure was affected by the darkness last winter, so I suppose that’s why I succumbed to mania now. It’s making me re-evaluate living in Alaska. I love it here, but the extreme variance in daylight throughout the year may be too much for me. (Range is 5 1/2 hours daylight in winter to almost 24 hours during the summer!) The sad thing is that my Parents live I Eugene, and I left Oregon because of the gray skies, so that may not be a healthy option for me either. Oregon is beautiful, but I’ve got a “been there, done that” feeling about it. Maybe I should move further South than the Willamette Valley – Klamath Falls/Ashland? Not my favourite weather there either, but perhaps I could tolerate it more easily.
I know you live in Portland. How do you cope with the gray/rain, and do you think it makes it harder on your Bipolar management?
Cheers,
Susan
Hi,
I cant speak to the sunlight issues though my Dr tells me that during 2 seasons people get more manic. I live in KC and am manic 80 0/0 of time with many mixed or rapid cycling episodes. I have been around the country and other parts of the world and still talk peoples ear off. My own wife said she cant stand the sound of my voice. My meals are usually barely touched when.others are done. I am a terrible listener who seems uninterested in others.
I get OCD and obsess on different things to.the extreme. Then I get online and read all I can. Then I overtalk the subject that people dont care about. I have run.all.my friends off and others eventually just say “listen, I have to.go”. It is so embarrassing.
Ive heard of people who pretend the ideas are balloons and let them.fly away then pop. Also, making a decision.that I will not talk about myself, my current obsession, religion.or politics helps but is hard. You can tell by my post that I ramble. My texts are often nearly 2 full.pages. My meds dont help but Klonopin.does slow it down.
Goog luck to my other bipolar friends.
Kyle