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.

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ReginaPhalange 03/13/2008

How do you cope? Are there certain techniques you have learnt over time that you feel help you?

I only ask because a few weeks back I had a severe bout of mania and psychosis, since then I have become a daily outpatient at m y local pysch unit. I don't want to become an inpatient and am looking for ways to help myself without always involving everyone around me

deleted_user 03/13/2008

some times I go for a long very fast walk. smoke like crazy. while walking I talk to myself about all the shit going through my head.

ReginaPhalange 03/13/2008

I smoke lots too, glad it isn't just me. I'll try walking to, thanks

deleted_user 03/13/2008

I spend too much so i had the credit limit on my card dropped substantially. Other than that I pretend to sleep - even sitting up or go to the bathroom and lock myself in for a while.

ReginaPhalange 03/13/2008

I no longer have credit cards, the risk for me was just too high. Does pretending to sleep work? I tend to just sit for days awake and then get mad at myself for no sleeping

deleted_user 03/13/2008

CBT has helped me.

Looking into DBT.

Of course there is always my trusty ativan. Mmmmmm ;)

deleted_user 03/13/2008

I take my antipsychotics...guess even zyprexa (cause it's heavy-duty). Truly, I've never found a way of dealing with actual mania on my own.

deleted_user 03/13/2008

The only way to deal with mania for me is just to have sex! sex! sex! sex! If I dont do that I will spend, spend, spend!

deleted_user 03/13/2008

#1 reply is so true. A walk does work wonders. I realize i do talk to myself. They are all one sided. No voices have never answered back. Never say never. lol

deleted_user 03/13/2008

First of all, good move Karl...
I have lots of trouble with mania, mostly because I really really like the beginning of it. My meds are the only thing I really know of that make me able to cope and not go to high.

deleted_user 03/13/2008

Well I'm BP 1 so my mania might be a bit different. My mild mania or a mixed state I try to stay busy when I can't sit still. Trying to stay calm all the time doesnt work for me, but periods of it are necesarry so I don't go off the deep end.

For mild mania I pick a big job and a small tool. Cleaning the kitchen floor with a toothbrush kindof thing. It sounds silly, but it's a big job and using a toothbrush makes it more intense and take longer. It can also wear me out physically too which can help me sleep.

Make time to be calm. Force yourself to relax. Yes, pretending to sleep is good- you might find yourself meditating lightly- that's good too.

dancingd 03/13/2008

I'm with pinky..when a disphoric mania hits me ...all I can do is medicate myself to sleep it off...gemiwings idea of cleaning the kitchen floor with a toothbrush (use an old one...LOL!)works too...I've done it!

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