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.
There is more I am sure I am missing.
??
Extremely manic:
Racing thoughts 500 mph. Very painful. I hold my head. I close my eyes. The light is so bright. My body tingles all over. I rock back and forth. Back and forth. I truly think I am going nuts and am about to go off the deep in.
--breathe in and out. focused breathing.
--rocking
--blocking senses: sight, hearing (Am I really hearing that light!!??), smell (Damn, how much Lysol do we really need. I am going to vomit) touch (touch and you die!!)
Somewhat manic:
Racing thoughts: 200 mph. I can do anything. Grandiose thinking. Heightened sensitivity. Did I hear the pin drop in the basement?
Radiant colors. Eating. Ooooooooo, do I eat. Somewhat touchy.
Hypomanic. I love this!! Happy. Thoughts 100 mph, but very..........very fun. No sleep. No problem (not yet!! tee, hee) Senses on new level. But ooooooo what fun. EVERYONE should be hypomanic once in their lifes. Can I stay here?
Level: High, Medium and low. Gee, I think I am normal!! How about that?
Slightly depressed: Somewhat sad. I stroll instead of walk. But I am getting there!! Things start to lose their appeal. The tv starts to look good.
Depressed: Do I really have to get out of bed? Do I really need to get up and change the channels? Where is the remote? Like I really care!! Ha!! Twinkles for dinner. Kick those 7 course meals............goodbye!!
Super depressed: Climbing out of bed is like climbing Mt. Everest. Climbing out of bed takes 20 minutes. Then I just want to go back there. Shower 40 minutes if those kids let me. Dragggggggggggggg. Draggggggggggggggg. I don't
even type fast. Shit I may not type at all.
I don't want to talk to anyone. Can I hibernate? Wake me up for the spring!! I am busy holding the bed ..........down.
PMS after my three kids doesn't phase me
much anymore. Labor and C-sections and healing pretty much not a problem anymore.
I used to have them bad. Just plain bitchy at that time. Yes it is PMS and pre PMS and MS and post PMS. Get over it. When I am a bitch. I am a bitch.
High bitch potential.
Are I.
Art thou
too?
An onset before the age of 30 usually results in frequent, severe episodes. Psychosis is more common in this group and symptoms tend to linger between episodes. An onset after the age of 40 has a better prognosis. Generally, short episodes, late onset, the absence of other medical or psychiatric conditions, and early treatment have a better prognosis.
Most people are symptom free for months or even years between episodes of depression and mania. Approximately 25% of people never fully recover from an episode. Nearly 33% of people have great difficulty functioning at work and in social settings.
Three-fourths of manic episodes occur before or right after a major depressive episode. After the first manic episode, there's a 90% chance that a second one will occur. Typically, a greater number of manic episodes are experienced over a lifetime. Approximately 40% of people with bipolar disorder have an average of one episode every 2 1/2 years, or four in every 10 years.
Bipolar II
People with bipolar II disorder experience major depressive episodes that alternate withhypomania (milder manic episodes). During hypomanic episodes, patients may become more productive or noticeably goal driven, but their ability to function well in their normal daily activities is not impaired.
Except the PMS thing
:)
I have one 2 year old and my fear is that my mood swings will damage him in some way. (paranoia) I was not diagnosed until after the birth of him @ age 37 with a mood disorder, PCOS and other shit. Although I have always suffered w/ mood and pms.
I tend to feel really "high" two weeks before I feel very low and start to pms. I feel angry, curt, and extra sensitive re: hubby.
I appreciate your condor. I may ask about Lamictil (sp?). Antidepressants do NOT work for me and make me much worse as do some other benzo's.
Lou2, curious where you've come across all of your information. You're really well informed. Do you work in the medical field?