Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

My hypo manic mood swing….

I wrote the following in 2007. Nothing has really changed in terms of what bipolar disorder does- but I can say that I still use my treatment plan and I haven’t made any manic mistakes in a long time!

It was just lovely. I remember driving down the road to my house thinking. Is this what normal feels like? This is so wonderful. I’ve been doing so well lately! Maybe this is the real me!

And right then I knew I was manic. It was a huge disappointment. I had been having so much fun. I wasn’t covered in the depression fog when I went out. I didn’t eat junk food and I could talk to anyone.

I can’t believe how it snuck up on me. I haven’t had a winter manic episode in a very long time.

My family and friends noticed it first. They all know how to use my Health Cards and started talking to me about the mania. I was SO upset to hear them bring it up – which is another sign that I’m manic. I don’t want anyone ruining my party! After only three days of enjoying the mania I started to see the reality of the situation. I needed to do something about the mood swing immediately. I got out my Health Cards and did what they suggested. I was so sad that it wasn’t going to last. The depression started about a week later. It took so long to start I really thought I just might have made it through this time- but no luck. The depression hit me very hard.

It’s like being taken to heaven and then dropped straight down into the pit of hell.

I hate this illness. It lies and tells me things that aren’t true and then lies again and on and on. I was diagnosed 10 years ago, so I have my tools to deal with this now. I no longer go on a manic rampage of men, money and travel, but it’s still hard to deal with the fact that the happiness is so brief. All of us with euphoric mania feel this way. At least I had a good time for a week and didn’t make any mistakes!

Julie

What is Bipolar Mania?

Mania is an abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood. In the elevated state, the mood is upbeat, euphoric, and happy. In an expansive state, the mood is intense, and emotions are shown with no inhibition. Although many people think that euphoria and expansive moods are the main characteristics of mania, many people in a manic episode experience irritability, anxiety or an uncomfortable sense of increased energy.

Mania is a very dangerous, difficult to spot and often very difficult to treat mood swing once it goes too far.

There are two types of mania in bipolar disorder: full blown mania and hypomania. Full blown mania is a requirement of a bipolar I diagnosis. Hypomania ( milder form of full blown mania with similar symptoms, but with much less intensity) is a milder form of mania that is a requirement for a bipolar II diagnosis. This is one of the main reasons it’s so important for you to know your exact diagnosis.

The number one sign of mania is sleeping a LOT less and not being tired when you get up. For some, it’s not sleeping at all and still being able to function. This is a lot different than insomnia in that insomnia makes you tired the next day.

Mania, especially at the beginning can produce the most amazing, wonderful, exciting, loving and connected feelings in the world. On the other side, mania can be all agitation, anger, restlessness and energy so high a person can’t slow down even to sleep. The main problem with mania is that no matter what feelings are produced, mania causes severe judgment issues and very distorted thinking. This often involves risky sexual and financial behavior. Believe me, when a person comes down from a serious manic episode, it’s like waking up from a bad dream that really happened. Once the episode is over, the manic behavior is often completely impossible for the manic person or those around him or her to understand.

If untreated, mania can ruin careers, relationships, finances and health. It has to be managed daily. Even someone who has not been manic for years and is on meds can have a manic episode. I use my Mania Health Card to take care of my mania before it goes too far.

If mania always felt terrible, it would be easier to treat. It’s the euphoric mania that is hard to let go of!

Julie

PS: My book, Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder has a mania recognition section and treatment plan.

Monitor Your Bipolar Disorder Mood Swings

I’ve kept a chart of my mood swings for the past year. It’s amazing to see what triggers most of my downswings. Without question, it’s difficult relationships. I knew that this was a problem, but seeing the reality on a piece of paper forced me to make some serious behavioral changes. I have to limit contact with certain people, no matter how much I care for them. I wish I were the type who could have exciting, but difficult people in my life, but as my chart clearly pointed out. I can’t.

There is a mood swing chart and an example of one of my charts at the back of my book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder. The Health Cards can provide you a lot of information as well. I faithfully chart my mood every night. It’s depressing to see how this illness controls my life, but I at least know I am doing what I can to stay stable by seeing the reality of what causes many of my mood swings. Interestingly, the chart has shown me that my hypomanic episodes are usually not triggered by anything I do. Truly interesting. Julie

Get It Done When You’re Depressed

Dear Miss Fast,

I want to say “thank you.”

I have read every textbook, self help book, etc. and was still beating my head against a wall until I read your book. I can tell you that Strategy 11, Expect Brain Chatter from Get it Done When You’re Depressed, was the answer to prayer. I don’t know what it was about this specific chapter, but it opened up serious dialogue after 14 years of marriage. This chapter gave me a simple way to explain the on-going dialogue and loop of music in my head and why it is so painful.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Betty

Julie Fast at New Renaissance Books

Here is a blurb for a class I’m teaching in January. There is a big story behind this! I will tell it soon!

Join Julie A. Fast for a wonderful take action presentaion at New Renaissance Books in Portland, Oregon

Get Things Done Even When Life Gets Tough

Julie A. Fast, Thurs. Jan. 27, 7-8:30 pm
Do you have trouble getting things done? Join Julie A. Fast and learn to get things done no matter how tough the day is going, what is happening in life, what the weather is doing outside or how you feel about your own abilities and accomplishments. In fact, you can even learn to get things done when you’re depressed! Julie has. The truth is, you don’t have to want to do something in order to do a good job and you don’t have to always be enthusiastic and creative to be at your best. You just have to know what to DO. Julie A. Fast is an award winning columnist, popular speaker and the bestselling author of five books on mood disorders including Get it Done When You’re Depressed. JulieFast.com

Examining Every Word

When I have certain mood swings, I find myself getting really picky about each word a person says. I will look at a sentence from an email, or remember what a person said and then examine it way too closely. Did they mean this- or did they mean that? Are they mad at me? Have I done something wrong?

This kind of examination is destructive for relationships- especially when it happens over email.

I have found that if someone is upset they will usually tell me. If I have done something to offend them, they will usually tell me. If I never hear from someone again, that is their choice. I now remind myself that I am only responsible for my own behaviors. What is said to me or what is sent to me in email is not in my control.

I still have the same worries and tendencies when I’m sick to break apart everything that happens to me, but I resist the impulse of telling others about it and just focus on my own health.

Julie