[Resident Bipolar]

I've only really experienced one or two mixed episodes since I was diagnosed. The first one was during a hospital admission.

This is worse than the depression. It's worse than the mania. It's like the eye of two storms growing into one huge storm.

I don't think I've ever experienced anything like this before. I don't know if it's related, but I'm so stressed because of it, I think it actually caused a headache.

What is this ****?

[Resident Bipolar]

It's nice to know that even though I spend about 80% of my time on the forum replying to other's peoples threads...when I need help I don't get a single reply.

I'll still be giving support. But I don't expect to receive any.

RB.

[BNLsMOM]

It sucks, doesn't it? Most of my recent episodes have been mixed with the exception of this winter, when I was purely depressed.

My pdoc actually diagnosed me as Bipolar 1, rapid cycling, mixed because the episodes were happening so often. In fact, I feel the beginning of one brewing.

[Trippin2.0]

RB, so sorry you're suffering. I saw your post, but I didn't have anything helpful and insightful to say. I didn't even think that you would feel so rejected, and honestly thought somebody more knowledgable would've replied by now ... I'm sending lots of your way. I've only had 2 mixed episodes, and had to wait it out...
.
Sorry I couldn't be so helpful.

[roads]

Most of the episodes that I can't handle with one coping skill of another are mixed. They are by far the worst. It was one of those that set off the only migraine headache I ever had.

Three days it took to get over that. Meds took the pain away, but any sensory stimulus--light, sound, taste FGS, and the pain was just flashing there behind my right eye saying COMING BACK NOW!!.

I'm always hitting the New Posts button and responding to those. I just saw this come up--didn't see the earlier one. I'm always glad to see you, RB . Sorry, I don't come looking for you & that's sad. Mea culpa.

Roadie

[nacht]

*hugs RB*

I'm sorry dear, I was out running errands and just now saw this post.

Mixed episodes are seriously the worst ever. Both of my hospitalizations have happened because of them. Is there maybe something you can take to at least ease your headache? Have you talked to your doctor and let them know what's going on?

I honestly wish there was something I could do to help you besides offer virtual shoulders to lean on. But you've been there for me when I needed it, the least I can do is return the favor.

Awwww, RB! Sorry about that. I am woefully behind here (worked 8 days straight and only popped on the computer briefly and sporadically -- trying to catch up a bit tonight).

Mixed episodes suck! I'm really sorry you're having one and wish I had some helpful advice...
It's entirely possible it could have set off a headache. There is certainly tension in the mind's dynamic at such a time. Guess it wouldn't be surprising if the body had a physical response to it.

Good idea to check in with the doctor on both fronts. Did you? In trying to calculate time, you posted.... Friday late night there? Brain's a scramble, sorry(!) Whether it's Friday or Saturday or whatever day, give them a call, ok? And please check back in here to let us know how it's going for you, ok?

Lots of and I hope it lets up on you soon, RB!

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by Resident Bipolar

I've only really experienced one or two mixed episodes since I was diagnosed. The first one was during a hospital admission.

This is worse than the depression. It's worse than the mania. It's like the eye of two storms growing into one huge storm.

I don't think I've ever experienced anything like this before. I don't know if it's related, but I'm so stressed because of it, I think it actually caused a headache.

What is this ****?

That's EXACTLY what mixed episodes are!! Big, steaming, stinkin' piles of $#!+. You totally have my sympathies, RB......I had my first-ever mixed episode just recently and even being a nurse, I had no idea what the hell I was experiencing. I couldn't figure out whether I was depressed or not, because I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, couldn't concentrate, couldn't sit down, couldn't shut up.....and didn't care. I nearly blew off my job as moderator at another website as well as several longtime friendships, and I had no freaking insight whatsoever into why everyone was pissed at me.

If I never have another episode like that, it'll still be a day too soon. Hope yours is over with quickly and that you get stabilized & stay that way. I know it sucks.

[sb7777]

I'm very sorry to hear about your recent episodes. I've only had 2 mixed events, but what I remember was that on top of the unrelenting waves of positive and negative emotions, the up and down states, was how mentally exhausted I was when it was over. Even if the event let up at mid-day, I'd crash, falling asleep for the rest of the day.

I hope you're feeling better soon...

Oh I know how much this sucks!!!!!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with it too. Almost every single manic episode I have turns into a mixed episode. And they come often. I am in this quite a few times every year. It is horrible. Yeah to me it's worse than any depression I've had. When I think of mania now I feel terrified, not excited because I know it will come to this.

So mixed episodes are hard to treat with meds. When I am mixed my pdocs have a really awful time trying to get the meds right. My last episode I went through five different antipsychotics, and three mood stabilizers trying to get it under control. That might be a bit extreme but thats my experience with mixed moods. I usually am fighting my hardest to stay out of the hospital in those times.

How are you doing now RB?

[Nixi]

Awww I'm so sorry you're having to go through this!! It stinks!! The two episodes I had before this last one were mixed. I ended up in hospital! They're really scary and horrible to go through. The thought of having another one of those really scared me. I'm sorry I have no words of wisdom. All I can offer is virtual hugs! xx

[SmokeyPoole2012]

Mixed episodes tend to give me headaches, upset stomack, and confusion. I'm not a doctor but I've been dealing with this for over 30 years and I find that after a few day of little sleep (because I'm manic) the mixed episodes set in. It's actually kind of frieghtening becuase I can't figure out what to do with myself. When I'm manic I feel good about life and of course too good about myself so I rarelly attempt to control it. Unfortunately the lack of sleep ends up doing my body and mind even more harm.

What I do when this happens (and again I'm not a professional) I find a quiet place, take some ibuprofen and let my creatively manufest itself in a quiet way such as drawing, writing or even doing a crossword puzzle. The key word is slow down and rest.

Like I said I'm not a doctor but that helps me.

[Merlin]

Like everyone else says, "Mixed Episodes Suck!"

I find they were always the most dangerous to me. I would be agitated and unable to sleep and the negative thoughts would run through my mind too quickly to counter with CBT.

I think I ended up in the hospital then too.

Thankfully my meds are working for me right now.

[Resident Bipolar]

Things are a little better I guess.
Spent three hours or so crying last night, and it kept me awake.

Had a huge argument with my best mate.
Had a go at a lot of people.
Deactivated my Facebook account and deleted all my photos and photography work.
Took an overdose.
Self harmed.
Still swinging from extremes.

It's pretty odd how you can change from really angry, to really sad, to okay, to frustrated, to severely depressed, to angry again, then back to depressed, etc.

Emotionally and physically exhausted.

RB ♥

[Trippin2.0]

MASSIVE sss. I really hope you feel better soon. Sorry to hear that you had sucha rough night

Awwww, RB! Emotionally and physically exhausted? I bet you are!!! Yikes. Did the headache go away for you at all? Sending extra-good thoughts your way. Hope this episode abates for you soon.