[annmaria]

Hi all its been awhile since I posted. I have bipolar 1, but I am now been treated for mixed affective state.

I am looking for help in relation to my new dx. I have read about it and it frightens me. Want to know how to get pass this. Any advise would be really appreciated.

Thank you

[Moose72]

A mixed state is part of bipolar just like mania and depression. So you still have Bipolar but youre in a mixed episode right now. And sorry to hear that. Those are difficult.

I understand your concerns! Mixed states are horrible!

Do you have a therapist? It sounds like you're looking for useful coping mechanisms, and I know that a therapist could help you come up with personalized coping mechanisms based on your psychiatric history. That's probably going to help you the most.

Or if you don't have a therapist, it sounds like you have a pdoc. You could ask him or her too!

In my experience, I try to get some kind of medication to make me sleep so that I'm sleeping trough the worst of it and the sleep will help reduce symptoms too. Seroquel is a good one for this! Knocks you on your ***!

[annmaria]

Have tried seroquel didnt work had opposite effect kept me awake. I take rivotril for sleep but doesnt work.

[still_crazy]

hi. I'm sorry about your situation. Mixed states are...not fun, at all. I've been there. Avoiding antidepressants has helped me a lot, personally. I found that avoiding SSRI+SNRI drugs was hard at first (I'm prone to severe depression, more so than any mania or hypomania), but its been worth it. My lows aren't as low now, and my mood is much more stable, overall. I also take loads of high dose supplements (Orthomolecular) with the psych drugs, and I think that has helped me on the road to recovery.

I hope you get better soon.

[xRavenx]

Hi. I am sorry you are struggling. I have suffered through some really bad Mixed Manic states. It was extremely frightening during those times, and it felt like it was never going to end. I was very paranoid on top of manic and depressed all at once.

I still get some Mixed features/symptoms, even though I am on meds, but medication has definitely made a difference. I swear off of SSRIs and antidepressants, by the way. Even when I am on mood stabilizers, they induce Mixed Manic episodes in me. Just passing that along, if it is of any help to you. Of course, it is different then everyone. Sometimes it takes some med adjustments along the way. I see my pdoc frequently.

Mixed states, luckily, do come to an end...even when it feels like it never will! Therapy has helped give me an outlet to share and have the support. This illness can be very isolating when surrounded by people who are not really able to understand. I do find this place very supportive though.

I hope you feel better.

[annmaria]

Originally Posted by xRavenx

Hi. I am sorry you are struggling. I have suffered through some really bad Mixed Manic states. It was extremely frightening during those times, and it felt like it was never going to end. I was very paranoid on top of manic and depressed all at once.

I still get some Mixed features/symptoms, even though I am on meds, but medication has definitely made a difference. I swear off of SSRIs and antidepressants, by the way. Even when I am on mood stabilizers, they induce Mixed Manic episodes in me. Just passing that along, if it is of any help to you. Of course, it is different then everyone. Sometimes it takes some med adjustments along the way. I see my pdoc frequently.

Mixed states, luckily, do come to an end...even when it feels like it never will! Therapy has helped give me an outlet to share and have the support. This illness can be very isolating when surrounded by people who are not really able to understand. I do find this place very supportive though.

I hope you feel better.

I also find this forum very supportive, its just that since my discharge from hospital witch is a year an half that I have not got to the base line. And with the mixed affective dx I am feeling frighten I dont want to be force to hospital. The meds I am taking just are not working even though they have been increased. I am stuck in a rut that seems never ending.

[RainyDay107]

I'm going through a mixed episode, too. I feel for you and here to support you.

About the mood state wanting to end...absolutely it's torture. When I feel like this, I remind myself things WILL change. They have to, as that's the nature of bipolar disorder.

Try and keep that in mind, see if it helps you. Keep posting.

[still_crazy]

sometimes a short term antipsychotic/tranquilizer can bring things under control. Doesn't have to be a permanent part of your treatment, either. Back in the day, low doses of Thorazine and Mellaril were popular. Now, I think its all about the "atypicals," because they are often easier to tolerate, in some respects.

Maybe geodon, abilify, low dose zyprexa? Just for a little while?