Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
Hi guys,
I have figured out what my hypo-manias look like. For me, it is simply a constant need for activity, both physically and mentally: more loving, more walking, more web surfing, more shopping, more talking, more switching between tasks (and completing less), more activity in my brain (which kills my short-term memory), more baking late at night, MORE EATING, etc, etc...
So now I know what it is, and I can notice when I'm in it (e.g. right now, since I've gotten off Geodon), and that's huge. I think. For... what DO I do with this knowledge?
I should be able to do something to make hypomania shorter or make it go away. I know my brain feels like it's a bit overstimulated, and I know I overstimulate it simply through hypo-mania (more meetings with friends, more projects at work, more playdates for my daughter...). But I do that to feel better, to ease the unrest in my head.
Would I be better off locking myself away for a day or two? Should I be taking a sick day instead, curling up with a book instead? Does less stimulation help bring hypo-mania down sooner?
Let me know if you've tried this (for how long) and what the result was. Do you have a different strategy for dealing with hypo-mania? What have you thought of?
Please tell me your stories.
I have figured out what my hypo-manias look like. For me, it is simply a constant need for activity, both physically and mentally: more loving, more walking, more web surfing, more shopping, more talking, more switching between tasks (and completing less), more activity in my brain (which kills my short-term memory), more baking late at night, MORE EATING, etc, etc...
So now I know what it is, and I can notice when I'm in it (e.g. right now, since I've gotten off Geodon), and that's huge. I think. For... what DO I do with this knowledge?
I should be able to do something to make hypomania shorter or make it go away. I know my brain feels like it's a bit overstimulated, and I know I overstimulate it simply through hypo-mania (more meetings with friends, more projects at work, more playdates for my daughter...). But I do that to feel better, to ease the unrest in my head.
Would I be better off locking myself away for a day or two? Should I be taking a sick day instead, curling up with a book instead? Does less stimulation help bring hypo-mania down sooner?
Let me know if you've tried this (for how long) and what the result was. Do you have a different strategy for dealing with hypo-mania? What have you thought of?
Please tell me your stories.
Going to the gym reduces the adrenaline in my system.
So far looks like we have prevented 2 episodes from developing in the last year.
Good luck
MJ
Best to have a talk with your doctor and see if they have any suggestions.
MJ
Hitting the gym (my doc is big on the release of adrenilan (sp) too)and forcing myself to sit for a guided meditation CD are very helpful as well. I've read that simply reading is a form of meditation in itself as it removes your mind from everyday worries or concerns. I have done the hiding out thing BUT then I start to FREAK about what is going on without me and I get worked up about being caught at work etc. Actually going BACK to work eases my symptoms so I don't use the hide out method much anymore. Having said all that, lets face it, takin' a pill is easier. I'm happy to have Seroquel in my bag o' tricks. Getting the timing down is a whole lot trickier cause hypomania feels GOOD so I sometimes leave it too long before reaching for help but that, too, gets easier with practice.
I think recognizing the signs are more than half the battle. You are in a very good place right now. Finding the right coping method is gonna make your life a LOT calmer and more bearable.
So, so far we've got:
- gym
- yoga
- meditation
- reading
- NOT hiding out / going back to work
I honestly can't tell for half of them if they are calming or stimulating, which was kind of where my question was headed. I guess. Hm...
Anyway, ANYBODY ELSE HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD?
For me, if I don't do less and isolate, I'll skyrocket right into hallucinations and extreme mania.
I take the pills (Ativan plus extra Tegretol) and try to find something boring, calming to do.