[sporty9xterra]

My girlfriend has been in a manic episode for about two weeks- once she recognized it she decided to double up on her antiseizure meds she normal takes one of those for manic and two anti depressants a day. Anyway- we had 2-3 days of back to normal and now shes slipping into the depressed side. Does anyone have any tricks they've found to help pull themselves back to normal? Does self actualization tend to help get back to normal? She seems to think it does but I think her self medication is what really helped end the mania.

also does anyone typically black out almost during their manic periods? she remembers events but not details. for example she got fixated on the way I dress to workout and the lack of caring about matching at the gym- to the point of wanting to break up, but when she came out of the mania she hardly remembered the arguement.
I am super patient and I know time is really what heals all of this so I don't pressure at all. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance or advice. Thanks!

[Odee]

Does she have a psychiatrist? Questions about obtaining stability should be delegated to a professional.

It's not so much about speeding up the cycling until you get to where you want. The aim is stabilization. But yes, time is your biggest necessity until you can get it all sorted out!

[BlueInanna]

I'm guessing u like ur car lol jk, welcome and thanks for posting.

But seriously, bless ur heart u sound like a good boyfriend. So she doubled her anti seizure med? That's risky unless pdoc knows about it. And is it like a benzo med - Ativan, klonopin, Valium or something safer like trileptal? Or gabapentin/neurontin is another anti seizure med they give for bp, there are many. BUT If she doubled her benzo use, I'm sure she would just be trying to level herself out and get relief from mania, but that's so dangerous. Benzos are dangerous, addictive, easy to accidentally o/d on, and they can actually make us depressed. Mine are a godsend, and I'm pretty careful and conservative with them mainly so I don't run out before next refill.

Why do you ask about self actualization? Is she using the idea for wellness/self help or is it like a grandiosity mania thing?

[faerie_moon_x]

Well, although her self-medicating might have got her over the manic episode it isn't necessarily safe. Randomly taking more or less of your meds can really mess with your body chemestry. I agree she should see her psychiatrist and figure out her dosing if she can.

And is she seeing a therapist or a psychologist as well? Talk therapy is incredibly helpful, especially in depression, in my experience. Not only being able to get it out but also have some advice really helps. I can't afford a pdoc or a therapist now, but this forum really helps to support me in that area for now.

I used to have black outs when I was a teen. I would go into this fog and not remember. I'd have them full on. There are a few events I have no memory of at all which I caused major fights and arguments. The only reason I know about them is because my dad always makes sure to "remind" me of them. But I don't actually remember it. I don't know if that has anything to do with bipolar or not. I don't get that way any more. But I do remember things wrongly very often, but my working memory isn't so great. SO I can say something and forget I said it pretty quickyl

[sporty9xterra]

i think her med is trileptal. I'm not positive though. yes she is under care- thank god actually going in on thursday.
she's a teacher so the swings happen routines get shot. she's pretty stable as long as a routine is kept but at the beginning of every semester theres always "so much to do" so she gets anxious and then mania sets in.

I didnt like her idea of doubling up on that manic med- she only did it two days in a row and is planning to tell her psych tomorrow during her visit.

when I said self actualization- she seems to think recognizing that she was in a manic phase kind of helped her deal with it so rather than it lasting a month or so it only lasted a week and a half.

[faerie_moon_x]

One thing that happens a lot in bipolar is lack of insight. And even when I realize I'm in the middle of a major cycle, I can't always tell exactly how bad I'm doing. With depression it's easier because you feel terrible. But with mania that's not always the case. Or you keep assuring yourself you're doing great, but actually you're all over the place. It's not an easy thing.

I ususally don't see how bad things are until I get to the other side and look back, and even then it can be hard.