Bipolar- how do you know when a swing is coming?

[JillCameTumbling]

I'm looking for shared experiences from other ppl living with bipolar (one or two)-

Most of the time I look for signs my mood is sinking, and I think I'm getting pretty good at managing it before I get really depressed. Then sometimes I feel I'm in a weird space and I wonder if this is the precursor to a coming high.

Im on mood stabilising medication so haven't reached a full-blown mania episode but I sometimes these mild "highs" do make me feel impulsive and risky. I want to go out dancing and drinking with friends. I get more energy to do things around the house. My sleep changes a little but not in the way I've experienced in hypomania.

C anyone share what it feels like for them before mania or is it just a "normal" strange mood? I feel like I don't want to worry my family or doctors unnecessarily. I also don't want to need to increase my meds unless I really have to.

[demonblaster]

Im 1 & 2 but moreso type 2 these days, the manias are still magic but phew took weeks to recover esp sleep.

More than rapid cycler, 8/10 a yr, read but can't remember terminology but goes something like ultra rapid, super rapid etc but with meditation suprisingly I managed to do it in the fast brain in type 1 which was mammoth, concentrations always been an issue let alone in mania to bring down the highs which of course who doesn't want but they're still beeeeauuuutifullll in type 2.

Read replies, yeah stimulation can bring them on, excercise (I ease into always aware not to overdo) coffee I limit to 3 max any day, change as Geoff said like moving or other stuff that stimulates.
People stimulate me, extrovert so that can be enough

I've also recently realised apart from as Doc said yesterday part of the reason I had 3 manias (short ones) was due to unbearable pain for a mth (pinched nerve in neck) then backing off but intermittent another 2 wks, opiods & sleep was near non existent over that time but not disagreeing that that would have contributed but realised to avoid going down in tiredness & mania symptoms too I'm more talky am anyway but pulling up so could have contributed too.

[Smokey40]

Aires,

Your comment "It's a journey, don't know what highs and lows are ahead but know until my parting breath it will be a challenge". Gives me the strength to focus on the long term.

My psychiatrist, psychologist and Dr of 30 years are working hard to help me through a new low (Separation of my wife, Redundancy, Benign brain tumour surgery, sister in laws death, medication challenges... all within the last two years)

The 'long term' reminds me of my past 40 years ago and my cat Smokey who helped me through my first deep low, I have a new cat coming to help me through this low. And I know the medical support continuously improves...

Andrew

[demonblaster]

You're going through a lot Smokey

All best, so glad you have a loving cat to help you through too 🙂