[Dagnar]

Is anybody dealing with PTSD symptoms triggering their bipolar. I have been to group therapy and to psychologists and still have not found any coping skills to help with my situation. When I'm triggered I go into a paranoid emotional "barricade" mode and into a manic state. I become aggressive and isolate myself in order to avoid doing things that I would regret. But, isolating my self is the only thing that works for me at this point and I know that it's not healthy. This takes a large toll on my family since both my wife and son suffer from depression and isolating is the opposite thing to do for them to help themselves. As they try to help me they get sucked into my trying to avoid everyone and anything that can make me worse.

When I'm manic it's pretty severe and medication is helping me to curb my anxiety somewhat but I would help to get input from others to help give me new ideas and methods to try. I appreciate your time for reading this and for any advise you have for me.

[newtothis31]

That sounds like a tough situation. What are some of the common triggers you face?

For me- writing (although I can't force myself to do it in a manic state) has been a life saver.

[Disorder7]

I have the same problems. Except for Xanax, I'm basically unmedicated. I've tried all sorts of drugs, antipsychotics, SSRIs, Benzos.....nothing completely works.

I'm in trauma therapy now. I hope it works. My mania is rage and not fun to be around.
Take care.

[Wander]

I too have Bipolar 1 and PTSD. It is a hell of a combination to deal with and it is hard to know where the PTSD ends and the Bipolar begins. My PTSD can trigger, or worsen, Bipolar episodes. When I get manic I get very hypervigilant and paranoid based on the trauma I have been through. My manic episodes tend to be dysphoric and mixed. They are extremely dangerous to me so I do all I can to prevent myself from getting that bad. When I am hypomanic though I can be euphoric and have not a care in the world. My PTSD disappears. I love it but know I am playing with fire.
Years of therapy and meds(esp Lithium) are what has helped me stabilise somewhat. I would not be here without either of them.

[wing]

I'm not sure any meds work for PTSD. If so, I wish I'd have been treated for it. I have BP 1 and every time a saw a reminder of the events causing mine, I too had my anxiety and symptoms jacked up. I still have triggers and symptoms, but now, finally, I have moved on. It took me a long, long time to recognize and avoid triggers. Some I couldn't control. I can still barely talk about it though have been able to catch myself before spiraling into the reactions I have always had. Rage and fear are what sent me out of control.

Being stabilized on meds for BP have helped me see my triggers and deal with them.

Sounds trite, but the only thing that helped me was time. Therapy would have been a good idea too, but I was too ashamed to admit the cause of it all.

[cool09]

When you are triggered do you feel like a different person and/or can not entirely relate to your personality? This is what happens to me and the only thing I can do is avoid and isolate in an attempt to ground myself. When I dissociate and do not feel like (or can not connect to) myself I can not think straight or understand entirely what appropriate behavior is or socialize so I feel I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. It kind of feels like my gauge regulating behavior and emotion is not working properly and it makes interacting and any type of activity impossible. I haven't found anything for relief after yrs of treatment. Anti-psychotics should help with the agitation experienced during those times but the APs are too horrific for me to tolerate.

[thickntired]

[QUOTE=Disorder7;4164696]I have the same problems. Except for Xanax, I'm basically unmedicated. I've tried all sorts of drugs, antipsychotics, SSRIs, Benzos.....nothing completely works.

I'm in trauma therapy now. I hope it works. My mania is rage and not fun to be around.
Take care.[/QUOTE

Yes! I have anger issues too and mania sucks. My therapist told me that PTSD often manifests itself as anger.

[thickntired]

Originally Posted by wing

I'm not sure any meds work for PTSD. If so, I wish I'd have been treated for it. I have BP 1 and every time a saw a reminder of the events causing mine, I too had my anxiety and symptoms jacked up. I still have triggers and symptoms, but now, finally, I have moved on. It took me a long, long time to recognize and avoid triggers. Some I couldn't control. I can still barely talk about it though have been able to catch myself before spiraling into the reactions I have always had. Rage and fear are what sent me out of control.

Being stabilized on meds for BP have helped me see my triggers and deal with them.

Sounds trite, but the only thing that helped me was time. Therapy would have been a good idea too, but I was too ashamed to admit the cause of it all.

I was given prazosin for PTSD but had bad side effects.

I have PTSD and bp 1 as well. What helps me the most is dbt skills especially the distress tolerance ones and grounding ttechniques and guided meditations for anxiety.

Also I've been put back on depakote and its helped tremendously.

I *had* PTSD and BP II. I say *had* as I thought I was over it, but events this year leading up to a 10 year anniversary have triggered it again.

What coping skills do you have? I have a list written of coping skills for me to look at when I am in an emotional state and forget what is going to help me. The list includes, Self nurture (really taking time out for yourself and caring for yourself)
Exercise
Meditation
Journaling
Spending time with pets
Getting outdoors
Sleep (this is isolation but one that does bring me down from anxious highs)
Distraction

Prazosin was great for my PTSD, I was only on it a short time (less than 6 months) and it practically cured my nightmares and flashbacks.

Goodluck