[Gabyunbound]

How do you know if you're in the midst of (or going into) an episode vs having a really bad or really good day? How do you know? Do you have to wait and see how long it lasts? Do you go by to what extent the symptoms mimic what they usually are when you have been in an episode in the past?

I'd say some semblance of both of the above, that's all I can come up with. What do you guys think?

[OctobersBlackRose]

I usually just wait and see how.long it lasts to know if I'm in an episode or not, that's if I know I'm in one, my (hypo)manic episodes I really know I'm in until afterwards, but boy do I know when I'm in a depressive episode. I actually believe I'm in one right now...

[Rjaye]

I do a lot of self talk when I feel good or bad. I'm stable, but being stable is such a unique experience, I am constantly wary. I have to examine my situation, and compare it to my emotional state to see if I am having appropriate emotions.

What I am noticing as I am going through this analysis is that my emotions don't run me over. I feel like I am reacting naturally and I can make use of my emotions in the situation, or if it's just a response, that I can endure it or enjoy it.

If my mood is crappy, I also consciously check if there's a reason, and if it's like a hangover from an earlier experience, I can use DBT or CBT to determine what to do about it and improve my mood. I find I have mood habits: if I have a bad experience I tend to travel that brain rut that usually takes me to a depressed or irritable space. I am aware it's happening, and I can subvert the process. Not that I can get a good pissy mood going any more...but I can see how habits became ingrained from years of feeling bad.

I don't know if that makes any sense, but that's what I find myself doing.

[Gabyunbound]

Originally Posted by Rjaye

I do a lot of self talk when I feel good or bad. I'm stable, but being stable is such a unique experience, I am constantly wary. I have to examine my situation, and compare it to my emotional state to see if I am having appropriate emotions.

What I am noticing as I am going through this analysis is that my emotions don't run me over. I feel like I am reacting naturally and I can make use of my emotions in the situation, or if it's just a response, that I can endure it or enjoy it.

If my mood is crappy, I also consciously check if there's a reason, and if it's like a hangover from an earlier experience, I can use DBT or CBT to determine what to do about it and improve my mood. I find I have mood habits: if I have a bad experience I tend to travel that brain rut that usually takes me to a depressed or irritable space. I am aware it's happening, and I can subvert the process. Not that I can get a good pissy mood going any more...but I can see how habits became ingrained from years of feeling bad.

I don't know if that makes any sense, but that's what I find myself doing.

Wow, I really admire your insight into yourself and your moods. You've clearly worked very hard at it and it's been really successful. I wish you the best of luck going forward!

[Row Jimmy]

For me, a single episode usually strings together to last a few days. I'm in the middle of one right now, been down and out since Monday and I'm getting paranoid.

Depression saps my energy and everything feels bleak. I'll notice quickly but it's always for a good week or more. My insight as to mixed and manic episodes can be poor, as I'm generally prone to insomnia and have some anxiety disorders that affect me daily.

[gina_re]

I'm sure a lot of us have become hyper vigilant about changes in moods and emotions to prevent anything serious from happening. It's aggravating, but sometimes what we have to do to prevent the snowball from rolling down the hill..

[pirilin]

I don't pay attention to episodes. I'm old enough to get away with almost anything.
Only depression affects Superman. Because of the kryptonite. Lex doesn't seem to run out of it.