What helps you when manic/depressed...share..

I try to keep from driving, it's nerve wrecking
I keep the lights low, it's calming
I called in sick, people are upset, they have no idea.
I try to see a end to self-destructive behavior, tomorrow is another day.
I try to remember that I have boplar, I'm not a failure at life.
I connect with the forums, I feel a little less alone.

What helps you?

Driving and music....I really can relate to the music

Music soothes me also. Gardening really helps to take my mind off of things - when I'm doing that, it's just me and my flowers, butterflies and birds. Being on sites like this where others understand really helps to not feel so alone or "different."

I haven't come up with really anything healthy...This class I mentioned...I'll share as I learn...

When Im nerved out or hypo im a bit of a control/clean freak.
Keeping busy,keeping my mind from turning to self destructive beh.
I garden,love up my dog,read a good book or rent a comedy movie.
The forums are also a world of support.

when i am hypo...i clean...i remodel...reorganize...if i stop to think or talk about it i fall apart...and when i fall apart..nothing makes sense...

When I'm Depressed:
Exercise
For some reason opening the mail seems like a huge chore, but I can still manage to scrape myself off the bed and go workout. It keeps me from repeating negative thoughts over and over.

Listening to Music
I listen to dance music or techno when depressed. I like Rock music, but it can make the depression worse. I try to find upbeat songs.

Going out with friends
I really don't find it fun at all. In fact, I usually try to avoid socializing all together when depressed. I still go out with my friends even though I may not say a single word all night. My friends know this, and they don't bother/talk to me either. It just makes me feel a bit better to be near someone.

Reading Fantasy Novels
Well, if my life feels crappy, at least I can imagine a perfect one!

Basically, I try to do things which occupy me. If I sit alone, I just repeat negative comments over and over to myself.

When I'm Hypomanic
Basically, I try to find active things to do with my body which require very little thought. I play simple (childish) video games, clean, and exercise.

Things which require a lot of thought often leave me frustrated then angry. (i.e. hard, competitive video games)

What helps me are:

Depressed mood

I play some computer games, but I get bored of playing after a certain amount of time, my interests shift quite often.

I listen to music on my computer and go to PC chat room.

I watch some dvd movies on my pc often.

lie in bed listening to music.

When I'm in my manic mood I enjoy going to church and attending the church group geared for my age group.

I like to go swim

I also like playing tennis

I like to eat lots of junk food.

and of course talking on PC chat.

When I'm depressed:
- watch Animaniacs (obviously, hee hee) or something else
- hug and cuddle my dog.
- listen to appropriate music

When I'm manic:
- spend money on clothes.. Or something I just MIGHT use
- dance dance dance!

Ugh, don't know what I do usually. I don't know how I manage to be the way I am when I'm manic actually

Hi Dorse!!!
What helps me is probably not the same as what would help someone else. We are all different from one and other. I usually "go" with the flow. If I'm having a really bad episode, I tend to call someone and talk about it. They
are only two/three people I can do that with, and the others
do not know how to help me. My husband is one of them.
He will usually be able to talk me down and get me to relax.
When he's not around, I'll call my good friend from S.D. and
she will offer to drive up to stay with me. She was a real life
saver when I had that bad flare up a couple of weeks ago.

With Bi-polar 1, you never know what your day is going to bring. YOu can start out okay, then something comes along
and triggers it, and there it goes. I don't watch t.v. much anymore. I'm usually online emailing or researching articles I'm interested in. Anyway, some the programs are too stupid to watch anymore. I like the crime dramas, and some of the comedies, but not much more. Disc. Health, TLC, and anything Documentary.

My cycles seem to travel in three/four day increments, and I have to fight with them to mellow out, or lay down and let them own me. It's not easy. I'm having a lot of bad ones lately. I don't see my new pdoc for another month. I must try to hold on til then. Hopefully we can bond and be able
to help me stabilize.
I am usually on my back porch swinging on my porch swing
listening to my music. I find the motion and the rhythm of the music to be calming for me. I've done that for years!!