[~Etcetera~]

I've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder for quite some time. I'm 20.

I have swings and certain days where my emotions are back and forth. One second I can be okay and the next I'm so pissed I wanna punch someone in the face and I have to leave the situation to control myself so I don't do something that I don't need to do. :/ Today is one of those days. And it sucks.

Any tips?

[Skeezyks]

Hello Etcetera: I'm sorry you are struggling with these mood swings. I don't know as I have any particularly useful suggestions for you. If you're able to be "self-aware" & leave a situation before you do something you don't need to do, that is a major accomplishment from my perspective. It is SO easy, in those types of situations, to get swept away by the heat of the moment & just strike out... verbally if not physically.

There is a Buddhist practice you might find helpful. It is referred to as "compassionate abiding". (One doesn't have to be a Buddhist to use it.) Here is a nice description of the practice from a mental health perspective:

https://mindsetdoc.wordpress.com/201...e-abiding-101/

[leejosepho]

"Push my button and watch me pop" was a warning I began broadcasting in my early twenties, so your self-awareness and your ability to avoid the "pop" are way ahead of where I was at your age and I commend you for that. I have never found any quick-and-easy eliminators for my deeply-rooted anger, but I no longer fear or loath myself and A.A.'s Twelve Steps are what have made the difference. Those Steps are not for alcoholics only, and I would gladly show you how I have benefited from them if learning to live by spiritual principles might be of interest to you.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

I get extreme anger when I'm mixed or manic. Hell even when I'm not I get anger. I've just always had a bad temper. I trashed my own house in the midsts of a breakup yesterday.

[Theresa1991]

I get anger attacks as well, mostly in states you can describe as hypomanic or mixed. Nothing goes fast enough, people are in my way and I get hypersensitive, so I hate them for making so much noise. I use to leave the situation as well. Doing sports helps me a lot. Sometimes it is just enough to kick a punching back or run through the park. Listening to aggressive music and throwing things thorugh my room (without damaging anything, I use to throw sneakers) also helps a lot. My basic rule: Avoid loved ones until it passes.

[xRavenx]

I can relate. On days where you feel you have severe difficulties controlling your response to anger, I find it is best to avoid people that day to regroup and de-escalate. Sometimes I put my phone on silent, since I noticed sometimes certain people who contact me are triggers (especially after a fight or something that irritates me). It also deters me from taking anger out on others accidentally when I do this.

Have a day dedicated to you: your favorite food if you'd like, put on some music, ,make your room especially comfy, curl up and watch a movie that either releases some of your anger or something that makes you laugh and temporarily cool off.

Focusing on anger can inflate it even more so that it takes total control over you and your behavior, so distractions are a step towards letting go. You cannot control others or events around you, but you can control your response if you give yourself some space and time away from possible triggers.

I am by no means an expert. I struggle, but giving myself a "me day" is something I find to be helpful when possible.

[Wander]

Welcome! That is a common symptom many here have to deal with. You are right to remove yourself from the situation where possible, take a breather. Do you know of mindfulness meditation? Really helps me with strong emotions, during and as a preventative. Are you in treatment? Therapist and/or psychiatrist? They will be ablate help you too.

[MtnTime2896]

I would give advice but I'm afraid it's not the most healthy.

I did get through a lot with boxing. Having a place to escape and hit things really helped.