[Manic Trance]

Hello!

Do you guys have triggers? Things that cause you to veer in the direction of a manic or depressive episode? How does that work for y'all if you experience that?

Also, how do you folks manage irritability? I am extremely aggravated right now, and I want to confront someone, but I suspect that my response to a given situation is out of proportion with the issue at hand, so I am trying to pause and see if my sentiments pass or downsize... Let me know if you guys have any tactics that help you cope with irritability...

Soon...
MT

[MagicsMom]

I definitely have triggers that push me to the depressive side. Any type of stress pushes me into depression. An example: I'm waiting to hear from my LTD company to see if I was approved - they called and wanted more information. I thought they were calling to give me an answer. I got totally hysterical and had to contact my therapist.

I also get extremely irritable and usually take it out on my stepson. I worked with my therapist and husband to let my husband handle all the discipline and I remove myself from the situation otherwise I say nasty things and yell. I try to stay away from people when I'm like that and I warn my family.

[Manic Trance]

Hello...

Thanks for this.
My wife is so fed up with me and my antics that she won't give me space to go through things. The other day I told her that I was on the verge of something very self destructive and she said 'there's no room for that', she thinks I am just being selfish. Ah! On the one hand, I have had this going on for years without treating it, and I have regarded my hypomania as pure genius, and dragged our family into all kinds of craziness because of that, so I feel for her. At the same time, how else can I manage this than to see it and make space to handle it?

How was that process for you, getting your family on your side to support you in your management of this?
MT

Originally Posted by MagicsMom

I definitely have triggers that push me to the depressive side. Any type of stress pushes me into depression. An example: I'm waiting to hear from my LTD company to see if I was approved - they called and wanted more information. I thought they were calling to give me an answer. I got totally hysterical and had to contact my therapist.

I also get extremely irritable and usually take it out on my stepson. I worked with my therapist and husband to let my husband handle all the discipline and I remove myself from the situation otherwise I say nasty things and yell. I try to stay away from people when I'm like that and I warn my family.

[~Christina]

Sometimes it's helpful to have a family member go to a T session. I didn't know how to explain Bipolar to my husband and why I reacted certain ways.... Took my T about 10 mins to explain the basics to my husband and I could actually see the lightbulb come on in his head .. It really helped alot.

But I am still responsible for my actions regardless of my Bipolar.. It is possible to change your reactions .. For me I use the 2 breathe rule ... I don't respond until I take 2 breathes.... its not 100% but it sure has helped.

Dealing with the anger and irritability is tough. My Mania is 95% angry pissed off hot mess. I do TONS of meditation . Physical exercise is also helpful .. feeling pissed take a walk or a run that will help release some of the pressure. Also since my husband has a better understanding I am able to give him a heads up that I am having problems and that its not him or anything he has done..

What every one needs to understand is not every bad mood we have is due to Bipolar ... Sometimes we are just in a pissy mood like the rest of the world

I always say use every coping skill you have until something sticks.

[MagicsMom]

Well I was only diagnosed with it a month ago before that they thought it was major depressive disorder (although now that I know I can see it throughout my life since I was 14). Luckily my husband has tons of experience with mental disorders as he suffers from severe PTSD, panic, etc and was also diagnosed as bipolar but we're not too sure about that. We explained to our son that I'm sick and exactly what that meant and not to take it personally if I flip out. I've gotten really good at just staying in my room when I'm really irritable.

We told my mom and my MIL. My mom's a therapist so she completely understands. My MIL thinks I should just suck it up and get on with it. She told me to "fake it until I make it". My brother and SIL know but they don't talk about it thank God.

[gruvingal]

I was not diagnosed with my BPD until I was 35 around the same time I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after a bad car accident. Most of my life before that had been spent being afraid of everything and trying to control it. I was also raised in a very dysfunctional family and was sexually abused by my grandfather. My mother was an alcoholic and was sexually abused by her father, my grandfather. I acted out sexually for years and made some very bad decisions. Now I am 52. I have spinal stenosis, DDD, and essential tremors. I can no longer physically act on my mania (i.e. work in the garden). Now it is all in my head (no pun intended)! My panic attacks have come back because of all the paperwork for the state and social security, the doctor appointments I seem to have every week now, and I have become more and more hermit like because I can't handle being around a lot of people or driving in traffic. I have a therapist, but had to change from one to another after two appointments because of my insurance change. I feel like I'm on a merry-go-round that's spinning to fast. I cannot get off and everything is spiraling around me. Panic sets in and I become very irritable. I begin to get angry at some point and then the crying starts and if I can't stop it I become hysterical and run off like an animal to hide and calm down. I tried to reach my therapist, but she was out on Monday and at another site with no receptionist on Tuesday. I did not want to call the help line because I have a terrible fear of being put in the psyc ward and them making me take other meds or not letting me have mine. I have my meds down to a science and because of the fibro any med change will put me down for at least three days. Unfortunately my short term memory has also been affected and I have to pay attention to what I am taking when I take it and use a pill sorter. I also tend to go on and on so with that I'm out for now!