BPs out there, how do you know mania is setting in? or how do you know you're manic/hypomanic?

Question

For me, when I start to think or get impatient that everything or everyone around me is moving in slow motion. Then I crave for alcohol. I think people are intolerably stupid. I am very receptive to information input, I'll surf the net a lot.
However, I reach a point where I would lose concentration and even if I wanna read, I couldn't bring myself to do it.
I needed alcohol on top of my sleeping pills and other meds coz before I'm done with one thought, another one would budge in, and another, and another.....then a ridiculous song.....and I'll go back and forth with the thoughts. So damn tiring.
Care to share your experience?

I'm not taking illicit drugs.....dr's prescription + alcohol

Answer 1

How do you know you're manic? by asking quiestion in this place.
:-)
jokes apart, do not mix your pills with alcohol. it may prove fatal one day.
instead. I will show you a simple breating exercise.
try this, no harm.
try any good eye drops before sleeping.
then close your eyes,
take deep breathing, concentrate only on your breathing and try to block all other thaughts. breath in, breath out and see within 7 days you will be tension free. This is called Pranayam in Yoga therapy.
for more info this site is worth visiting:
http://www.divyayoga.com/freePranayamTraning.htm. Any person is Indian would be able to explain you what is "Pranayam" or Breathing exercise. or use of natural oxygen to cure your tension and stress.

Answer 2

I used to work on a psychiatric unit as a R.N. for many years. Most of the people I met that had Bi-Polar Disorder had a hard time with this. It has to do with the nature of the disease. Obviously the sooner you know you are swinging to the hypo-manic side, the sooner your doctor can intervene, or you can take the appropriate PRN if you have them ordered.

I think the best way to tell how you are doing is to meet regularly with a level headed, clear thinking friend who will be honest with you. If you don't have a friend like that then you need to see a mental health professional as often as you can.

I also don't think you should drink alcohol or take illicit drugs. You already have an illness that interferes with your thinking, why add to the problem?

My heart goes out to you. You have a very difficult disease to deal with. Bi-Polar Disorder comes in different degrees of severity and some people can learn how to manage and lead a normal life.

I now have Chronic Major Depression and my thinking is affected too. You have to just do the best you can. There are new medications that come out at times and I have seen some people have dramatic improvements.

If you believe in God, know that your illness is not without purpose and that God loves you and will help you in your life. If I didn't know that, things would be much tougher.

Answer 3

http://www.isitreallydepression.com/mini_c/isitreallydepression/

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder