[xxxispillcoffeexxx]

I've been diagnosed three times as type one. Just realizing it and stopping it is where something isn't connecting fully. I want to know more on how to cope with the mood swings and what to do when I do have a manic episode. I don't understand how I'm supposed to take care of myself, when I'm delusional or paranoid or extremely angry. I'm having a hard time finding anything that makes any sense as to what I am feeling.

Originally Posted by xxxispillcoffeexxx

I've been diagnosed three times as type one. Just realizing it and stopping it is where something isn't connecting fully. I want to know more on how to cope with the mood swings and what to do when I do have a manic episode. I don't understand how I'm supposed to take care of myself, when I'm delusional or paranoid or extremely angry. I'm having a hard time finding anything that makes any sense as to what I am feeling.

just keep talking for now

being diagnosed doesn't change anything....doesn't mean you will suddenly "lose it"

what support do you have?...do you live alone?...with family?...with other people?...

nothing has changed right?...

a diagnosis is meant to be like learning....not losing control.

from what I experience spillcoffee.....fighting mental illness is not so good....but I also understand the urge....best to be gentle....there is nothing wrong with you

that you have been diagnosed bipolar.....means that yesterday and last week likely you were bipolar then and in 2 years time as well likely

it's ok

[Moose72]

I'm bp 1, too. Being in an episode means picking up the clues you've already laid down for yourself to try to stop it in its tracks.

Posting here helps me too.

[BlueInanna]

Originally Posted by xxxispillcoffeexxx

I've been diagnosed three times as type one. Just realizing it and stopping it is where something isn't connecting fully. I want to know more on how to cope with the mood swings and what to do when I do have a manic episode. I don't understand how I'm supposed to take care of myself, when I'm delusional or paranoid or extremely angry. I'm having a hard time finding anything that makes any sense as to what I am feeling.

Realizing and stopping it probably not so possible, so no wonder that idea is not connecting... eventually maybe possible. But right now, sounds like you're just coming to terms with the dx. not usually a fun or easy thing.

how do you usually cope with your mood, like do you know when you're manic, how do you usally express the extreme anger?

It will get better, you'll learn many ways to cope.

[junkDNA]

[quote=xxxispillcoffeexxx;2555927]I don't understand how I'm supposed to take care of myself, when I'm delusional or paranoid or quote]
THIS!!!!

[xxxispillcoffeexxx]

Originally Posted by BlueInanna

Realizing and stopping it probably not so possible, so no wonder that idea is not connecting... eventually maybe possible. But right now, sounds like you're just coming to terms with the dx. not usually a fun or easy thing.

how do you usually cope with your mood, like do you know when you're manic, how do you usally express the extreme anger?

It will get better, you'll learn many ways to cope.

It's all so subtle except for my mania. I can't really differentiate between my manic episodes and my Borderline. I usually don't know exactly when I'm manic or when I'm depressed until after the fact. I have very little control over my emotions.

I have rapid speech, interrupt others, laugh at very inappropriate times, dye my hair, enroll in college, brim with optimistic speeches, verbally bombard my parents with every thought that goes through my head, become very impulsive and start HUGE undertakings and tasks, that I never finish or follow through with.

I sometimes get so angry that I verbally abuse those closet to me. I get so depressed that I stay in bed and only get out to pee. Everything ticks me off when I'm like that, every little sound or noise. I usually avoid anything unpleasant and shut down emotionally and mentally, not allowing myself to indulge in behaviors that I used to. I'm a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. I think I'm repressing myself and I'm not sure how to stop.

[xxxispillcoffeexxx]

[QUOTE=junkDNA;2556102]

Originally Posted by xxxispillcoffeexxx

I don't understand how I'm supposed to take care of myself, when I'm delusional or paranoid or quote]
THIS!!!!

???

[EverythingNothing]

Dealing with delusions and paranoia is something I still struggle with. I haven't been diagnosed all too long but I've learned that some things are here to stay. You do get better at coping with symptoms but they won't disappear.

Medications play a big part in how you're able to cope with symptoms, as crappy as that may be. Then it comes down to how you think and what your thought processes are like. I know that it's easy for me to get caught up in negative thought loops so I do my best to not get them started.

It's a vicious cycle and it takes a while to get a real grip on things but it does get better if you work at it. It would be nice if we could just take a normal pill but learning how to cope is a huge part of bipolar disorder. I hope I could offer a little bit of insight and I really do feel for you on the paranoia/delusions part. These kinds of symptoms are some of the hardest to deal with in my opinion.

I have Bipolar 1 too, dx multiple times like you also.

I get pretty bad manic episodes too, psychosis, delusions, and paranoid. It takes a long time to be able to start recognizing mania, I mean if you are kind of loosing touch there, how can you see it. but eventually you will learn the warning signals, danger alert! Yeah usually we have them, it's just taking the time to figure out what they are.

For me, the mania increases within a few days, so I have a small window there where I can intervene. if you look back at what's happened in the past you can usually see a bit of a pattern. For me it's not sleeping, not eating, feeling disorganized in thought, agitation... stuff like that. Everyone is a little different.

When you start to see these things happening then you know it's time to act. Not let them go to far or it will be much harder to prevent or stop.

When the dellusions and paranoia, or hallucinations start for me. They start out slow and build quickly, if I suspect something isn't right when it first starts, when I still have some grasp on it, then I question them, Are these things actually even possible, from what I know is? If the answer is no, or not likely then I start asking for help. I'll ask someone I trust. I'll call my pdoc, and then takes measures to try and regain control.

Hope that helps a bit,but stick around here and you will learn a lot of tips and tricks to get some control back over this.

Great post and advice "Anika". She's right "Coffee", you will learn to pick up on it eventually. My advice, as is to everyone is, EDUCATE your family. They can pick up on it sooner than you can. Then write yourself a note that says "listen to your family". Can I see mine coming? sometimes. Do I always stop them? no. But I do remember one time I did and from that point on I have tried my best to stop them. Not always easy. Keep moving forward though.

Oh, and when you are manic, spill the coffee, but don't drink it.

WNT2bNRML is right, it is very helpful to have family members or someone close to you educated on this and who knows what to look for. The trouble here, and I think this is why he said to post a note to "listen to family", is because when they do try to point out to you that you might be manic, many of us will become either angry, hostile, defensive, or just plain in denial. And it's really not cause you are just being stubborn, you just can't see it usually.

I have a pact with my bf, that when he tells me I am manic, I will agree to think about it quietly for a while and then come back to him to talk about it. Other wise I can get quite upset at the suggestion that I might be. It work for us.

That's the thing, depression is usually easy for us to spot, mania, well it's a horse of a different colour all together.