[sporty9xterra]

My girlfriend is diagnosed bipolar takes her meds daily and fishoil. The past couple weeks shes been excessively tired if not able to sleep in for 12-13hrs or even if she does on weekends she'll fall asleep in car because so exhausted. She gets at least 7hr every weeknight.
Once or twice a week she'll gradually have something happen that just sets her off- and put her into a hyper sensitive on the verge of crying over nothing or really mad. Last night she was balling bc she wasn't sure why things felt so off and couldnt figure out if she was about to go manic or was in a depression. Shes also become increasingly unconfident in the past couple weeks. Any advice would be great.

the past year both of her manic episodes happened and she was obsessed with cleaning/organization and shopping.

If anyone can help with small symptoms of each pole. I know the obvious ones but i don't know if others notice the hyper emotions and stuff like that.

[herhusband]

It might be because of the medications. Hormones any number of things. Just be supportive for her. My wife can deal with these issues to, and it's frustrating for me to consciously realize that she is having to be the stronger of the two of us and that will kind of in a way trigger not really depression, but more of a guilty feeling. But I am not a doctor by far, and every person is different, could be some hypo. Does she have a therapist that she can confide in that she trusts a lot?

[faerie_moon_x]

If she's telling you that she doesn't know if she's about to be manic or depressed, that makes me wonder if she's mixed, actually. I have a lot of mixed episodes and it really feels like you're on the edge of a complete breakdown. It is a horrible, horrible feeling.

Mixed states can be rather dangerous if you're not careful, because it's easy to push you over the edge. And, yes, in my experience I am super sensitive to everything and cry or get angry very easily.

I would say sleeping a lot is a red flag for depression in a lot of cases, but she could just also be genuinly tired.

I would say that if it isn't clearing up and she's not doing well, you should get her in to see her doctor or her therapist ASAP. Just to be safe and figure out what's going on. Be there for her, listen to what she's telling you, and let her know you're there and will help her through it. Having support is a huge, huge important thing. And know if she explodes at you right now, she's kind of caught in a tornado in her mind and having a hard time. I know it's hard, so take care of yourself, too.

[sporty9xterra]

thank you that sounds exactly what shes like right now and she hates being out of control of herself.
she just recently saw her psychologist but i think she needs to have one she talks to more than just getting a checkup how her meds are going.

how long do these episodes last for you? I'd say its about 2 weeks but yesterday was a peak. I just asked her if your description fit and she said yes very very much so.

Originally Posted by dark_heart_x

If she's telling you that she doesn't know if she's about to be manic or depressed, that makes me wonder if she's mixed, actually. I have a lot of mixed episodes and it really feels like you're on the edge of a complete breakdown. It is a horrible, horrible feeling.

Mixed states can be rather dangerous if you're not careful, because it's easy to push you over the edge. And, yes, in my experience I am super sensitive to everything and cry or get angry very easily.

I would say sleeping a lot is a red flag for depression in a lot of cases, but she could just also be genuinly tired.

I would say that if it isn't clearing up and she's not doing well, you should get her in to see her doctor or her therapist ASAP. Just to be safe and figure out what's going on. Be there for her, listen to what she's telling you, and let her know you're there and will help her through it. Having support is a huge, huge important thing. And know if she explodes at you right now, she's kind of caught in a tornado in her mind and having a hard time. I know it's hard, so take care of yourself, too.

[faerie_moon_x]

Well, I'm an ultra-rapid cycler with dysphoric mania, so it's really hard to tell sometimes.

But, I would say my cycles are very fast. They last about 3-5 days usually. But, I can become mixed at any time. So, today I can be mixed, tomorrow okay, next day mixed again. I often can't tell if I cycle so fast I just don't know when I shift, or if I'm just mixed all the time. I often say "I'm more manic" or "I'm more depressed" because I have symptoms of both every day regardless.

I have what I call "Episodes." And episode is like an erruption. I just explode with emotion, I feel like I seperate from myself and part of me is watching from a distance while the rest of me just goes into rampage mode. Those are always because of being mixed. After it's over I feel physically shaken up, like someone was shaking me really hard. Episodes usually last only a few hours at most.

Also, when I'm mixed my cognitive functioning worsens quite a bit. I have thought blocking and can't remember words. I forget things instantly as they happen, lose things as soon as I put them down. I can't focus on anything but my racing thought obsession of the time. I am extremely agitated and irritable. I want to move around but also sit still, but I can pace for hours talking to myself. I have no concentration, even for things I enjoy. I can't read, everything is confusing and I get very, very frustrated. I'm more likely to have a panic attack and feel like I'm "going crazy." My ability to use logic and reality check becomes very difficult and I have much more paranoia than usual.

I hope that helps and I hope she can start feeling better soon.