My number one tip for managing bipolar disorder? Know what your mood swings look like from the minute they start. The very first thought of mania for example often tells you all you need to know. “The colors are so gorgeous today!” is a thought I get when I start hypomania. I don’t think this way normally. When I’m in an average mood, I will notice colors, but I don’t FEEL THEM PHYSICALLY like I do when manic. I now know that having this simple thought-
‘The colors are GORGEOUSSSSSSS today’
is a sign that I’m not stable. I go into action and make sure I manage the bipolar instead of running around buying 25 new Sharpies, a set of paints and some watercolor paper so that I can capture the moment! Ha!
Here’s a picture I use when I train health care professionals and want to show them what my hypomania looks like. This is hilarious because it’s literally made of Sharpies, watercolors and watercolor paper. All bought while hypomanic.I never, ever draw this way when I”m stable. I actually can’t! I control my mania as best I can and usually succeed! Thank you Health Cards!
Knowing my triggers helps me be aware and prepared . I also notice in my lows, there is genius ! I surrender all my emotions to god. God says in our weakness he is his strongest. I pray harder I study harder when I’m in a low . It’s because in a low we know only god can save us. It’s the mania and high I need to control not the low. But god is teaching me triggers are just the devil provoking us . And satan is a bump in the road tell him move u have a job to do . Praising god in the low is wgat he wants. He doesn’t pull u out of it , he goes with u and shows u a new perspective . He shows me a positive to every negative
Amen! I get through my day every day by starting in prayer. Thank you for reminding me that we need to share His place and support in our lives. Anyone can find help strength and full management through God.
I have similar inclinations when I am hypomanic. Instead of drawing, I tend to take lots and lots of pictures at those times.
Hi Andrea- I do the pictures things too. I notice that I will get out my cell phone camera and take pics of whatever I’m reading! If I see a cool article in a magazine, I’ll take a pic and then use it in a future speech, etc. I rarely end up using the pictures, but you never know! Julie
I noticed years ago I take Photographs > many and better. Sometimes I leave the memory card in the camera for a few days and look at the photos later and they were just great. Some of the photos, I don’t remeber taking. I am amuch better photogrspher the more manic I get, In depression Mood I don’t pick up my camera. So making myself Take photos helps me during Manic Episodes
The colour theme must he a popular one. I know I’m hypomanic when I start printing colourful images off the internet to make vision boards. I have gone through more ink cartridges than any human who doesn’t work in an office setting should. Oh and I buy journals….lots and lots of journals. They’re all empty.
You sound like me! Julie