\u00a0I just recieved this comment from Melissa. Most of us have been here. That is for sure. It’s so important to remember that we are not weird or obsessive when we aren’t ill. Most of us are darn normal! It’s the illness- which means we have to become experts at managing the illness. Here is Melissa’s comment and my reply:<\/p>\n
Julie,<\/p>\n
I’m revved up and getting amped out.\u00a0 I can’t concentrate on my work.\u00a0 I’m seeing the three S’s – speeding, spending ; sex – on the increase.\u00a0 I battle with it constantly it seems and today I seem to be losing.\u00a0 I was triggered by the possibility of not getting to see someone I’ve been fantasizing about anymore so I’ve been trying to contact him.\u00a0 No-no.\u00a0 I took my PRN but it really isn’t helping.\u00a0 Good grief I’m having problems with this and I’m rambling to boot.\u00a0 Sorry. Melissa,<\/p>\n
Hi Melissa,<\/p>\n
Oh yes! We all know this feeling! It’s impossible to explain to others isn’t it. Maybe a fighter pilot- race car driver or extreme skier can understand?<\/p>\n
The obsessions that come with mania are awful- and we will do things to calm the obsessions such as calling someone too much to get the relief of hearing his or her voice. But it starts all over again and then we get embarrassed and upset with ourselves and have to call them again to calm that down.<\/p>\n
I have been there- but managed to stop the behavior\u00a0two years ago\u00a0by becoming celibate! – this doesn’t mean the impulse isn’t still there- it is- and often in full force- but I can control it more. I do not plan to remain celebate- but for now, I have to in order to do my work and have a ‘normal’ life.<\/p>\n
I am so glad you wrote on the blog as it shows you have some insight into what’s going on. Fantasizing about someone you can’t have- or who isn’t interested in you is a black hole of pain. No matter what- keep yourself from calling- if this means running around the block, calling a therapist or friend, writing on the blog or whatever- throw your phone in the river! Ha ha. I’ve felt like doing this in the past. Remember, all obsessions pass if you don’t give into them.<\/p>\n
When you get through this episode, you can work on preventing the mania the next time.\u00a0Not dating\u00a0has been a challenge lately and it can be lonely- but it’s keeping me well.<\/p>\n
Let me know how you are! Julie<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I just recieved this comment from Melissa. Most of us have been here. That is for sure. It’s so important to remember that we are not weird or obsessive when we aren’t ill. Most of us are darn normal! It’s the illness- which means we have to become experts at managing the illness. Here is Melissa’s comment and my reply:<\/p>\n
Julie,<\/p>\n
I’m revved up and getting amped out. I can’t concentrate on my work. I’m seeing the three S’s – speeding, spending ; sex – on the increase. I battle with it constantly it seems and today I seem to be losing. I was triggered by the possibility of not getting to see someone I’ve been fantasizing about anymore so I’ve been trying to contact him. No-no. I took my PRN but it really isn’t helping. Good grief I’m having problems with this and I’m rambling to boot. Sorry. Melissa,<\/p>\n
Hi Melissa,<\/p>\n