www.dbtselfhelp.com has alot of useful info personally I don't notice mania creepin in until I lose sleep then I use all my meds and add chamomile and valerian to help sleep

I always exercise as part of my normal routine but sometimes am liken to a hampster running as fast as possible on wheel. Iv aleady worn out a tread mill and working on another,lol
I stay on a writen daily schedule and when I have difculty resting, I actually clean my own house. I also know to stay away from stores and to avoid home shopping networks.
I also change my nail polish alot and work more than needed in my gardens. at times its almost like am watching and waiting for a weed to grow so I can pluck it,lol.
I seldom drive and my support buddys have my keys. I will not risk even the slightest possibiity of a car accident so I dont drive unless give the car key and 1 of my support buddys goes w me.
Oh ya I find that i will take up to 4 showers a day. ya sometimes i go threw alot of soap and lotions but it helps.

Seroquel

Creating balance in the areas of my life I have control over... eating habits, exercise, finance, family etc.

Just talking with your friends here at Daily Strength can also help a lot we do care and will do all we can to help. =)

I don't carry checks, debit, or credic cards and only keep with me the amount of cash i'm willing to spend.

Also when I'm really manic I sit in a completely dark room. I don't know why but it helps calm me down. Actually, I've heard of new research studies about using dark therapy at night. It's supposed to curb mood swings in rapid cyclers.

when I have dysphoric hypomania/mixed state (esp. agitation) I lay down in a quiet room and listen to relaxing music... I sometimes also go for a walk or have a hot bath.. if that doesn't work I have the wonderful seroquel to help me cope

I have a hobby building balsa aircraft from scratch. a lot of sanding required to help get out the energy and calm down.

I think hobbies are a good thing even scrap-booking can be dollar store and help keep busy productively.

When I am manic or close to it music can set the stage for me and I go into my own little world so I have to watch what kind of music I listen to since it can activate my mania. The only thing that helps me is to stay on Seroquel. I notice after my monthly cycle within a day or two I feel mania coming on but the Seroquel and Lamictal squelch it. In the mornings say around 10 am when I feel free and the it is a nice day I can begin to feel manic. As far as what to do to stop it, is to try to keep my mind unfocused, if I focus too long to hard I force myself to break away and do other things because I can sit and do things like on the computer for way too long, I tend to get fixated on the task at hand. Other than that I am still a work in progress and been dxed since 2004, eek!

I find when I become manic, music and television just become necessary background noise, I don't know if they help or hurt but I like the extra thing for my mind to do. I have always been sure to make sure my Pdoc sees my manic side so there is more for her than depression to treat. she's real good.

But I find the cleaning can be helpful in tireing me out a little with excercise. I still use Valium to get some kind of sleep though.

My wife helps keep me in check. We have discussed non confrontational ways she can inform me I am becoming manic. When this happens I can make adjustments.

For meds, usually xanax calms me down to a rational level. Rational is the best I can hope for.