[reader71]

My emotional reactions to things are extremely volatile. I know it's a symptom of bipolar disorder and can really only be controlled with a conscious effort to not be so reactionary. It's so hard though. The other night the guy I'm dating and I were going out to dinner and the restaurant we were going to go to was closed. I got really angry and bitterly disappointed immediately. We have plans for this Friday and when I asked him about them today he said, "I don't know. I have to see how I feel, but I'll try to let you know later today." I instantly got upset and paranoid that he'd rather go out with someone else.

Does anyone else experience these kinds of reactions? What can I do to control them? I'm not a spoiled person--I understand that in life things don't always go the way we want them to. I hate being this way.

[Detach]

Are you always like this or is it a recent symptom? If it's recent and part of a manic episode then you won't be able to control it without intervention- therapy/medication adjustment. I just had an episode myself and irritability and agitation were a huge part of it. I had not had this as a symptom before, at least not this bad and I could NOT control it on my own. I'm over it now thanks to meds and thank god because relationships can be ruined during this phase. I feel for you!

I'm very much like that and I have a hard time controlling it as well. I automatically feel bad and embarassed when I realize I'm doing it and at that point I try to change my attitude. It's a hard thing to deal with but the best advice I can give you is try to be really self aware. Hang in there!!

[Hydrophobic1212]

I understand the paranoid part. I'm always paranoid that my friends would rather be friends with someone else or my boyfriend is just using me. The best way I know how to deal with it is to tell yourself to relax and look at the big picture. Is this really what's going on or is your mind up to tricks again? I don't know if that will help you or not but I figured I'd share what I try to do. It doesn't work for me all the time either. Sorry you're feeling that way!