From my Bp Magazine for Bipolar blog:
Julie, MANIC. Circa 1990
Learn to stop bipolar mania from wrecking your life by sticking to a mania prevention plan
Mania is very hard to treat in the moment. The treatment window for depression is very high. We tend to be reasonable and are able to see we are sick. Mania, even the mild hypomania some of us have experienced our whole lives can take away our ability to see we are sick in just a few hours. A prevention plan is key. The fist step in managing is accepting that mania is dangerous. I know … what a bummer!
Step One: Teach yourself that just because mania feels good, it doesn’t mean it is good.
I had to teach myself that the incredible feeling of invincibility and sexiness—of the ability to do ANYTHING I wanted—and I do mean anything—was not a positive. I had to teach myself—train myself, to STOP behaviors that felt like a better high than any drug; a better feeling than being drunk; often a better feeling than actual sex. That is hard, but I did it and I got my life back. I am willing to say no to mania even when I’m feeling good.
Here is the outcome in my life of giving in to mania:
Click here to read the rest of the blog. It’s good!
