[Anneinside]

I am very good at recognizing when depression is starting and can intervene when it is just starting. It is not the same for mania. My tdoc will say, do you think you are becoming manic and I reply, sincerely, no, I'm not manic. Then when it is over I think back and KNOW I was manic. I can't seem to recognize early indications of mania like I can depression. What keys you into knowing you are becoming manic before it goes too far?

I'm kinda the same but in hindsight, I know I get really obsessive, thoughts racing, talking fast, starting to spend to much money on stuff that doesn't mtter, talking like woah, just kinda speedy. Beginning to get careless with things that are important.

[manicminer]

Mainly in my thought process and speech patterns.

I begin to find I can't focus on just one thing. Even when doing a single task, lets say driving, I can't just focus on that. I often find that I'm lost in my thoughts. I snap out of it and realized I've been driving for 20 minutes and haven't been paying any attention to the road. I'm not really sure how I even got there or where I am for a second.

Also I can't stop talking. I get to telling stories or drawing out simple explainations into 5 minute speeches. I talk very rapidly to the point a stumble over words and sometimes stutter. I don't let the other person get a word in edgewise in a casual conversation and I tell people things they dont need to know. It gets to the point the other person gets annoyed and stops paying attention, which infuriates me for some reason.

Also I see a rapid increase in risky/unsafe/unwise behavior. Sleep is usually lacking because I have so much on my mind to do and feel the need to get it all done right now. Sleeping and eating become an afterthought

[Speed3]

Hi,
It took me a number of years and hospitalizations, but I know the early signs now. My sleep starts to change, at first just a little less sleep. My mind becomes more active. Ideas just keep popping into my head, and I start to think I can do them all. Here is where my family helps because I usually try to enlist them in my seemingly wonderful creative projects. They now know this is a red flag.

I definitely talk more and louder. I even talk to telemarketers. Here again, those around me raise the red flag on this. Oh, shopping for me. The Internet is great for this. Packages start arriving at the house non stop. I tried to hide this. But if my husband or son notice, my PDOC is notified.

I even notice I drive a little faster. I don't drink, but I start to crave wine. I think this is probably a self medication thing.

Even after writing all this, and there is more, It is hard to admit to myself I am getting Manic because in the beginning it feels so darn good. Oh another clue your judgement goes off. That is why it is hard to notice.

For me Depression happens more often and feels so so bad, I am always on the phone with my PDOC to help me.

I think with Mania and the fact one of the symptoms is your judgement becomes impaired you have to get loved ones involved. They have to know your early signs and call the PDOC for you. Because if you are like me after a bad bout of depression you don't want anyone to stop this 'wonderful' mood.

I think you are right noticing it in the beginning is very tricky.

for me:

1. the speech

2. getting very figity when it comes to things i know i should take notice of

3. a shiver down my spine (kind of like a good surge of energy) it's not scary, just nice. ,
4. a lift... it's hard to explain- like a sudden interest in everything

so that's mine

[usbusi]

It happens too quickly for me to prevent it. But I don't think I'll have another manic episode now that I know what my trigger is and I am taking an anti psychotic.

[Doxie mom]

With me it starts when little things like noises really aggravate me and I start nitpicking at my husband at little things like the way he chews his food within a week the aggravation can turn into rage at the drop of a hat.

[BipolaRNurse]

With me, it starts with a rush of energy. Suddenly I'm ready to take on the world......I run around doing all sorts of tasks that I've neglected, volunteer for projects I'd never do in my right mind, stay up half the night on my tablet posting stuff on the Internet, spend too much money, talk too loud and fast, etc.

I also wear clothes that are more splashy and colorful than my usual attire and experiment more with makeup. Unfortunately, I don't recognize the mania when it begins, so I'm usually well into the episode before I know anything's wrong. One time last summer, I bounced into my pdoc's office wearing blue eyeshadow and a bright gypsy skirt, and the first thing he asked me was "Are we manic today?" Of course, I tried to BS my way through that appointment, but he didn't buy the act, and I wound up on an antipsychotic for a few months.

Also unfortunately, I enjoy my highs a little too much and yearn for them when I'm down, as I was recently. So I asked for an increase in the tiny dose of Celexa I take in the hope of kick-starting myself out of the depression, and his answer was "I know what you want, and NO". The man knows me entirely too well, LOL! I did get an increase in Lamictal which seems to have done the job, but of course it wasn't enough to switch me into a high.....and that, of course, is how it's supposed to work. I know that. But sometimes, the absence of "wow" gets me to wishing for that incredible feeling of limitless possibilities to come back.

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

With me, it starts with a rush of energy. Suddenly I'm ready to take on the world......I run around doing all sorts of tasks that I've neglected, volunteer for projects I'd never do in my right mind, stay up half the night on my tablet posting stuff on the Internet, spend too much money, talk too loud and fast, etc.

I also wear clothes that are more splashy and colorful than my usual attire and experiment more with makeup. Unfortunately, I don't recognize the mania when it begins, so I'm usually well into the episode before I know anything's wrong. One time last summer, I bounced into my pdoc's office wearing blue eyeshadow and a bright gypsy skirt, and the first thing he asked me was "Are we manic today?" Of course, I tried to BS my way through that appointment, but he didn't buy the act, and I wound up on an antipsychotic for a few months.

Also unfortunately, I enjoy my highs a little too much and yearn for them when I'm down, as I was recently. So I asked for an increase in the tiny dose of Celexa I take in the hope of kick-starting myself out of the depression, and his answer was "I know what you want, and NO". The man knows me entirely too well, LOL! I did get an increase in Lamictal which seems to have done the job, but of course it wasn't enough to switch me into a high.....and that, of course, is how it's supposed to work. I know that. But sometimes, the absence of "wow" gets me to wishing for that incredible feeling of limitless possibilities to come back.

i enjoy my highs a little too much too!- especially when i feel nothing (depressed beyond reason) it's just nice to feel something!

and mania...well it can produce some interesting stories- i've gone overboard quite a bit while mannic

oh... and, i used to know someone- her name was rose. and when ever i was mannic, she'd look at me and say... you look like a child who has just entered a candy store- but in sted of candy the shelves are full of winning lottery tickets

hehehehhehee

[BlackPup]

The biggest thing for me is lack of tiredness. If I have disrupted sleep one night and I'm not tired the next day then I watch very closely for other signs. Often it is harmless and resolves but I'd rather be over vigilant and ready with some meds to reset my sleep patterns cos the lack of sleep drives the mania. (I used to use low dose seroquel for my sleep and bump it up to high if it continues past a couple of days, not sure if I can take it while pregnant though)
Some other things are if I'm feeling really motivated to do things that I normally find difficult, if I'm getting impatient with things and people or I'm seeing special importance or meaning in things. Again sometimes these are false alarms but they are just signs to watch out and be a bit more careful.
Hope you can find your early warning signs and tricks to prevent the manias.