Question.

Hello.

I have bipolar. So, a few hours ago I was angry and depressed. Now, I feel depressed, but at the same time very anxious and a little hyper and it's hard for me to concentrate. I feel like I "have" some "energy" (something very unusual for me), but at the same time, I also feel very tired, but I can't sleep at all and it's already 6 AM here. I also feel kind of... desperate? And I'm so anxious.

So, I was wondering if you could help me. What is happening to me, exactly? And why is it happening?

Thanks.

Its probably the bipolarness, its messes you up sometimes. My ex bf was bipolar (i'm not) and he'd always feel tired and sick no matter what, mixed with his ADHD, it was kinda...intresting. He has meds for everything, it took a while for the doctors to get the dosage and everything right, but you could consider sleeping pills, i'm on them and i feel so much more rested in the morning, and sleep better too. The anxiety and concentration in just cause you're depressed, because of being bipolar. Don't take my word for it, but that's my opinion

It sounds like a mixed episode to me. Mixed episode have features of depression and mania/hypomania at the same time.

I get mixed episodes too...they can be worse than depression sometimes, especially because I also can't sleep (even with my sleep meds) when I'm having a mixed episode. I hope you feel better soon...take care!

Thanks to all of you for your responses.

Yeah, I guess it was a mixed episode. Right now I'm just really depressed. I need to cry but I cant.

Perhaps you are a rapid cycler? maybe?

You need to do your best to remain positive and remember these are just episodes - there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
I am assuming that now that you have been diagnosed, your pdoc will have put you on a mood stabliser as well as antidepressant? I also have anti-anxiety meds I can take as I need, and Hypnotic/sedative for night time
It will take a while to get the combo right, but eventually you should much more stable moods. When I'm depressed I think I tend to wallow. I listen to music, but when I'm down I tend to listen to the more calming music - Enya, Katherine Jenkins... which just keeps me in my hole. Maybe try listening to music you normally feel is uplifting. I know it can be hard and it's the last thing you want to do, but maybe give it a try.

I also just want to sleep when I'm feeling depressed.
Do you have a close friend or work colleague you can talk to? It has helped me immensly at work having someone right there, who I can drop a one-liner to, explaining my mood, and I get a motivational reply. when I feel I've had enough, we go to the canteen for a change of scenery. Or even a walk, when I can cry and let it all out. If I really cannot cope and need to go home, she can speak to my line-manager on my behalf, saving me from having to do it.
And on weekends, I have a friend in a totally different town who also has BP, who I know I can phone or sms at any stage when I need some motivation.
Surround yourself with a strong support system while you don't have the strength personally, then get into therapy to help you find it in yourself to cope.

Hang in there (HUG!)

I think it's a mixed state too. Most Beepers have panic and anxiety too - I reckon they'll put them under the banner of Bipolar in maybe the next DSM, as it seems a given that they come with Bipolar.

Mixed states suck. They are really crazy making. I've lived and breathed them, but don't get them so much now that I am correctly medicated. The only thing to be mindfull of is the combination of deep depression but the agitation that mixed states can bring. I mention it because some people can be more prone to taking S* action because when we are depressed, we often just go to bed as someone mentioned, but with the added agitation and elevation of mood at the same time, there is enough energy to take action. So just look out for that and if it's coming, call for help. Be well.