longer.blue

Surviving an episode of mania Confusion is a sign of an episode. You may also feel jumpy. Talk too fast. There’s a term that applies to mania called “flight of ideas” and that’s a really good description for it, the ideas just flow past so very quickly that random details catch your attention and then they’re just gone and more and more fly by. Sleep is a huge issue. It’s actually a trigger for the brain chemicals to accelerate to compensate. (Like getting a second wind.) it’s a documented fact (from asylum observations in the early 1900’s that has never contradicted by science) that “lack of sleep creates mania and mania creates lack of sleep.” so it’s a negative feedback loop. One stands a good chance of pulling out of an episode with sleep. 7-9 hours a night. I have non-med sleep tips available if you’d like to see those. For panic attacks, splashing your face with cold (preferably ice) water will interrupt a panic attack just from the shock. Polar Warriors (an excellent YouTube bipolar video resource) says eating a Sour-Patch Kids candy will also snap one out of panic. Manias usually last somewhere from between 1 week and eight months depending on the individual.) For a few unfortunates souls I’ve heard up to a decade,) The more you keep in a routine (eat, sleep, take meds, burn energy) the easier it will be to maintain. Stay home, especially in the evenings/nights (indoors if traveling) where you are safe from dangerous situations and risky decisions. There are predators out there waiting and watching for us when we are ill and so much easier to take advantage of. I known that paranoia often comes with episodes and while I would calm you, I want you to be self-aware enough so you can really look at strangers and discern what their true intentions are. Friends and family members are safe. As safe as they have always been. If they have not always in the past been safe, then that’s a different conversation. Keep your hands and your mind busy. The internet was a wonderful thing to have to keep occupied (I didn’t have it the first 15-20 years that I was ill - as an adult.) Believe me, it’s a blessing. If you paint, paint. If you write, write. If you’ve been thinking about that book (that we all KNOW we could write,) start it. It is helpful for being occupied (and really eye-opening afterwards) to journal. Nothing formal, just do a mind dump (also called a stream of consciousness.) It can be on paper or the computer. There’s a free app called PAGES (made by Apple in the App Store - no ads.) it’s a pretty good word processor that you could use to write on your iPhone. (If you have Android and need help finding something comparable, LMK.) I actually use a free app called Happy Color to stay busy. It’s paint by number on my phone (colorful, challenging, can switch to a different picture whenever I feel like it. ) The only down side is they make money with advertisements (but sometimes those can be flashy, interactive and interesting.) Not trusting your partner (or feeling you’d be better if on your own) is a very common feature. (I was married 6 or 7 times - stuff went by so fast some of it didn’t record in memory.) It is a lie our brains tell ourselves. Do not make any permanent decisions. Just promise yourself to think about it more in 3 days. (I’ve thrown away the love of and broke the hearts of several good men.) The bridges we burn while we are symptomatic sometimes just can’t be rebuilt after our world turns again. I want you to know some truths. These feelings will not last forever. Your world will turn, we just can’t predict when. You are loved and cared for. Lastly, 5 deep breathes can slow the world down for a few moments. And maybe those moments will be all you need to make the next plan. —————————- Addition: I had a mini-crisis (caused by an inhaled steroid) about 4 months ago and reached out to the Bluesky Community for help (because I just couldn't remember what to do - I knew it, but...) The two tips I got were not in this coping guide. First, put on the music. Second: take deep, slow breathes (as many as it takes) and count each one.