As I wrote in my last post, I just finished an exceptionally hard mixed episode. I personally define mixed episode as mania and depression combined. This may not be the textbook medical definition, but it does describe my feelings. I experienced mania that kept my mind moving a million miles an hour, with depression. Imagine sitting in one place, legs shaking, nerves on edge, racing thoughts, but without the energy or desire to move a muscle. That’s a mixed episode.
I have listed 5 things that help me deal with mania, and the manic portion of a mixed episode. These work for me, and perhaps they may help you.
1. Be prepared, and watch for the signs, triggers, and recurring episodes. For example, many of us face seasonal manias. Sometimes a mania might be weather related, or triggered by a moon phase, or by extreme emotion. If you mood chart you may be able to predict an upcoming episode. If you don’t keep a mood chart, why not? They can be extremely valuable in helping you recognize an episode. But no matter what, anticipating what is around the corner will allow you to prepare. Have enough medication, let your loved ones know it’s coming, perhaps even warn your friends or employers. The more information we have, and the more advance notice, the better prepared we can be.
2. Sleep is the most important thing for keeping my mania in check, and sleep doesn’t come easily in a mania. The less sleep I get, the more the mania builds. Don’t try to tough this out, ask your doctor to prescribe sleep medication. Without sleep, it’s easy to escalate into a state where hospitalization may be necessary.
3. Anti-psychotics are often necessary when things get unbearable. When the racing thoughts can’t be slowed, or when psychosis is threatening danger, an anti-psychotic may help chase away the danger. I don’t take Seroquel on a daily basis any more, but I ALWAYS have it within reach in case things get to be more than I can handle.
4. Have something to occupy your mind and your free time. I can’t stress this enough. My last mania was a mixed episode, and my depression made physical exertion difficult, if not impossible. But this didn’t slow down my manic mind – it desperately needed an outlet. So to feed my mind’s need, I took a computer program I wrote a few years ago and completely updated it. It kept my mind occupied for the weeks I was manic. I didn’t quite finish it, so it will be waiting for me when the next mania hits. In the past I’ve built web sites, started businesses, undertaken large home projects, began writing books, and started many different projects. The operative word here is “started". I rarely finish a project I start when manic. So before you start that kitchen remodel, or begin rebuilding the engine in your only vehicle, think twice. When you crash you may crash hard. Having an unfinished project like this waiting for you will be detrimental. Make sure anything you start can be set aside when it’s no longer needed.
I have listed 5 things that help me deal with mania, and the manic portion of a mixed episode. These work for me, and perhaps they may help you.
1. Be prepared, and watch for the signs, triggers, and recurring episodes. For example, many of us face seasonal manias. Sometimes a mania might be weather related, or triggered by a moon phase, or by extreme emotion. If you mood chart you may be able to predict an upcoming episode. If you don’t keep a mood chart, why not? They can be extremely valuable in helping you recognize an episode. But no matter what, anticipating what is around the corner will allow you to prepare. Have enough medication, let your loved ones know it’s coming, perhaps even warn your friends or employers. The more information we have, and the more advance notice, the better prepared we can be.
2. Sleep is the most important thing for keeping my mania in check, and sleep doesn’t come easily in a mania. The less sleep I get, the more the mania builds. Don’t try to tough this out, ask your doctor to prescribe sleep medication. Without sleep, it’s easy to escalate into a state where hospitalization may be necessary.
3. Anti-psychotics are often necessary when things get unbearable. When the racing thoughts can’t be slowed, or when psychosis is threatening danger, an anti-psychotic may help chase away the danger. I don’t take Seroquel on a daily basis any more, but I ALWAYS have it within reach in case things get to be more than I can handle.
4. Have something to occupy your mind and your free time. I can’t stress this enough. My last mania was a mixed episode, and my depression made physical exertion difficult, if not impossible. But this didn’t slow down my manic mind – it desperately needed an outlet. So to feed my mind’s need, I took a computer program I wrote a few years ago and completely updated it. It kept my mind occupied for the weeks I was manic. I didn’t quite finish it, so it will be waiting for me when the next mania hits. In the past I’ve built web sites, started businesses, undertaken large home projects, began writing books, and started many different projects. The operative word here is “started". I rarely finish a project I start when manic. So before you start that kitchen remodel, or begin rebuilding the engine in your only vehicle, think twice. When you crash you may crash hard. Having an unfinished project like this waiting for you will be detrimental. Make sure anything you start can be set aside when it’s no longer needed.
I liked this article, GJ.
I have listed in my address/appointment book that I always carry in my purse, a list of medications that I am taking, my doctor's name and number, and my hospital name and number. I have red stars all around the info on the first 2-3 pages in case I am in an accident or cannot respond.
Ooops, I just realized this was tips for coping with mania. Here's one for me:
Don't go shopping alone. Take along a friend or relative that knows your history and can talk you out of buying those really cute sandals, matching handbag, and belt. In every color. Or Barnes&Noble where I'll buy every new psychiatry book. Or gourmet coffee shops and luxury cigarettes. I once spent $140 on some Nat Shermans and a silver case to keep them in so I could look like Katherine Hepburn while I wa in New York.
And I agree 110% about sleep. And it's really stupid that we always feel our best at 10 pm, when the rest of the world is getting sleepy. I knew there was a reason I liked working the night shift so many years. But now I have very little resiliance for it. And the weird part is it may not show up for two-three days.
UNDERSTAND CAMPERS? GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP OR YOU WILL GET UGLY!
signing off (slightly manic this week)
Angie
Angie - A great idea, highlighting an area of your address/appointment book. On another sharepost, a commenter mentioned a type of USB drive contained in a necklace or bracelet that contained medical information. The point is to make the information accessible to those who may need it.
In my case, I didn't have to worry about shopping, I didn't have the physical energy to get out. The mental energy to power a mainframe computer, but not enough physical energy to walk to the mailbox.
Does Nat Sherman make cigarettes? They make a mighty fine cigar, which is my tobacco vice these days. although at $10 to $20 each I won't be smoking many of them...
And the quote of the day:
"GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP OR YOU WILL GET UGLY!"
Gotta love it!
Ahhh, Nat Sherman makes great cigarettes, as well as the original cigar. I like menthol, and when I was in NY visiting a friend, I wanted to try "one of those luxury ones". So I went into their store. It was so opulent! One would expect to see Humphrey Bogart around the corner. Upstairs the humidors were kept, and very large, rich-looking people were going into the lounge. Picture 7' tall basketball players, heads shaved, Armani suits, covered in bling. I just asked to sample the Mint Naturals which held their flavor in the filter which tasted like honey. And in a very elegant box. It was an amazing sensory experience. They also burned slowly, about 7-10 minutes, so I would only smoke them in a relaxed setting, ie: a quiet bench in Central Park.
Well...that was a fun story.
Too bad I'm giving up smoking. I am using the patch, which is like putting the ingredients of a chocolate sundae on your arm. You'll absorb the sugar and cocoa, but what about the taste and smell? Sometimes I've thought of eating one wrapped in peppermint.