Exhaustion after Mania

I am about 10 days out of a severe psychotic manic episode. Initially, I couldn't sleep and was still energised. In the last two days my energy levels have plummeted and I am exhausted. Finally slept well last night but woke up really tired. Is this normal? How long will it take me to recover my energy back to normal levels? My mood is decent so I am not depressed, just extremely tired. I think the mania wore me out. It lasted about 2 months. Oh, and I am also not hungry at all.

Yes! It's perfectly normal to feel exhausted, even with a lot of sleep. You've been getting minimal sleep for so long that it's finally catching up to you. Unfortunately, it catches up to all of us at some point.

I've found that it takes me at least a week to fully recuperate from a long episode. If the episode is short (e.g., 4-7 day hypomania), then maybe 1-2 days max for recuperation. It honestly all depends on how long I've gone w/o sleep. So I say give it at least a week to see how you feel.

But FWIW, I'm crashing from a hypomanic episode right now. I actually got 10 hrs of sleep this past night after getting 1-5 hours of sleep every night for 1 and a half weeks. Still feel exhausted.

I call it "hitting the wall." I once went four days without sleep & felt energized (I was downright crazy, actually), but when that ended, I was down for the count...Depressed & exhausted. I'd say what you're experiencing is quite normal.

I am so happy that you slept!
Your brain needs time to recover!
I am hoping you have a nice day.
(((((HUGS))))
bizi

During my last hypomanic episode I crashed hard, it wasn't fun.

Yes, it's normal. And crucial. You need time to find all your marbles. It's crucial for recovery. In a way, all depression is exhaustion, at least mentally, maybe. Or the severe depression through exhaustion is gone when you've truly accepted you need time to recover.

My episodes end with a (severe) mixed state, already too exhausted but I can't give in. I just can't. But then I sleep for days or most hours of the day and I'm still very tired for at least a few months.

I am always EXHAUSTED when I leave the hospital, even if I was sleeping well there. In fact that's what I always tell people when I'm asked what i think people should know about going home when we're in group. It usually takes a week or 2 to adjust.

Well got another 7 hours sleep last night. Wanted to sleep more but I was wired. Exhausted this morning (Sunday) and lazing about on the couch. Might get up and do some organising and cleaning even though I am tired as it might help me sleep better tonight. Mood a bit flat but ok. Feeling lost now I am home alone. Need to keep busy.

I call it the "bipolar hangover". I feel absolutely exhausted after a manic episode, and I usually slide into a depression which makes things even worse. You have my sympathies!

Hugs, wander. I'd say what you're experiencing is normal.

I'm still recovering from my latest situation. The worst of it ended in july. Hopefully your recovery is much shorter. I'm recovering mentally and not physically though.

Took me a bit over a week to get back to average energy levels, last round.

That's a long recovery, I hope you find peace soon. I am also broken mentally and emotionally. Very fragile all round. My mind isn't as sharp and it still feels 'off'. I think it is going to take me a while to recover from this episode. It was the worst I have ever had. I lost my mind, didn't sleep and paced a lot.

(((((HUGS))))))
Be kind to yourself.
bizi

Thanks. I am trying to. Things have been calm and gentle so far. Juts wish I could sleep more. I am exhausted but only getting 7 hours, if that, sleep a night (except for one night). Cant even nap during the day but I do lay around a lot.

Have a great holiday.

I will be away from a computer until who knows.
be well
and happy holidays to you too.
bizi

Happy Holidays!

Wander, you just went through a very long IP stay. You've gotta expect the recovery and return to normalcy to take a long time. If I were you, I would expect to be recovering for months yet. My last IP stay took me about six months to rebound fully.

It takes the brain a LONG time to heal, especially after a psychotic episode.

Thanks. After mixed episodes it has taken me a month or so to recover but this was much worse so I expect a longer recovery. Was kinda hoping a month but going on how I feel 11 days in I am beginning to realise this could take a while. My brain feels broken and I'm exhausted and fragile. Still, I have been able to socialise and today clean up one room in my flat. In fact I feel wired. I hope I can sleep more as I feel that would really help me. My biggest fear is another episode like a depressive one as a reaction from the mania. Hopefully I can stay stable and avoid that. Just being kind and gentle on myself and taking things slowly.

This mania is crazy, I am suffering from it myself. I am fine for a couple days then I stay up all night. Like I did it AGAIN last night. This is the second time in a week. My whole body is shaking, and I am not the least bit tired.

I am trying my hardest to wear myself out, but yes, I know I will be exhausted today. Eventually it will all come crashing down. But I will bounce back like I always do. As long as the delusions stay away and I can get some normalcy back, I will recover. Please dear god, I just got a new job, please don't land me back in the hospital.

But you will make it. The exhaustion will pass. It's a trauma you went through. They should rename it to traumatic episode instead of manic episode because literally that's what you feel like when it's gone.

Hugs to you! And Happy Holidays!