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What do you do when you are manic, to fix it ?
Is there anything I can do to keep myself safe ?
When I am in mania, I lose touch with reality and think doing insane things is completely rational and normal. When I come down from the mania, I am horrified and ashamed. Then I have to clean up the wreckage.
What do you do to keep yourself safe ? To stop it ?
How can I manage this ? The random mania that comes from trigger ?
How do you identify when it is starting...mania I mean ?
If you do know that mania is starting, what do you do ?
I need help to learn how to deal with this part, especially.
Thank you,
Darlene
When I am in mania, I lose touch with reality and think doing insane things is completely rational and normal. When I come down from the mania, I am horrified and ashamed. Then I have to clean up the wreckage.
What do you do to keep yourself safe ? To stop it ?
How can I manage this ? The random mania that comes from trigger ?
How do you identify when it is starting...mania I mean ?
If you do know that mania is starting, what do you do ?
I need help to learn how to deal with this part, especially.
Thank you,
Darlene
Best Answer
Thank you so much for the suggestions, making appt with doc to review meds now, as per your advice. And also going to make a plan with family.
I feel less scared now.
Darlenedaisy
I feel less scared now.
Darlenedaisy
Mania that severe needs medical treatment. If you're not on medication now, see your doctor. It comes from a chemical imbalance in your brain and it can be corrected. In my experience, it takes both medication and therapy to deal with mania, but therapy won't work if your brain chemistry is too far off.
If things are really out of control I of course call my psychiatrist. Otherwise I have people I know family, friends who I can call if things seem out of control and I am concerned. When this starts to happen I discuss it with my psychiatrist as it may be an issue as regards medication adjustment. When episodes like this breakthrough on occassion I try to think before I act as to what the consequences might be and also speak to people I know before taking further action. When concerns set off impulsive behavior that might have consequences I discuss what emotional trigger points I have with my psychiatrist (who is also my talk therapist) and other ways to approach them. For some people cognitive behavioral therapy can be helpful as well in addition to talk therapy and medication.
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If you do know that mania is starting the main thing is to really keep a close eye on your sleep wake schedule. Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time. Even if you are not tired. If you really can't sleep then phone the psychiatrist and try to get some sleep medication.
Keeping yourself safe will likely involve people who care about you. Perhaps writing an advanced directive of what you want them to do when you are manic. Which hospital to go to, what medications have worked in the past and which ones haven't. What treatments you are willing to receive such as ECT (which has saved a the lives of a few people I know but many have fears about it).
The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide (It is in its second edition so it is really up to date) has some tips for helping to stay stable. I am reading it now.