Mania Coping

I am Schizoaffective, bipolar type, but currently I am in a manic episode.

I used to think I wasn't bipolar, but realized over the years that its always been there. I would have prolonged episodes of mania and depression, but in the recent years the timeframe between the two is 2-4 weeks. So 2-4 weeks depression. Then two days of feeling the shift and going to 2-4 weeks mania.

Right now, I am in a manic episode and was wondering what you all do to cope with it? My last manic episode was full-blown and this one is pretty up there, and my psychosis gets worse when I am manic (but I have psychosis all the time, though when not medicated), so I just need some advice.

Hi, I have had full blown manic episodes before with psychosis. My boyfriend gets them, too.

How long has it been going on, the mania? Any psychotic symptoms?

How’s sleep going? Taking your meds as directed? Any new med changes?

If you’re drinking or doing any drugs/substances, definitely stop. I know it’s a YOLO feeling during mania, sometimes. Let’s not do YOLO....because you will come down so don’t worsen the crash...no judgment, I promise.

Are you feeling negative like angry, destructive....or euphoric?

Damage control:

Are you alone or do you live with anyone? Having a supportive person around is ideal. What’s your situation there?

Money/Spending: If you have credit cards, give them to a supportive person or freeze them. Get out a bowl, fill it with water, dump your cards in...put in freezer. Maybe your debit card, too. I think having a full tank of gas and some cash is a good idea.

Speaking of gas...I don’t think you should drive unless you’re in control of your driving abilities and it’s absolutely necessary.

Eat something and stay hydrated. Skip the energy drinks and alcohol.

Try to sleep. If you can’t, at least lay in bed and rest for awhile. It helps and your body will thank you.

Not a good time to find new “partners” for sex. I’ve known people to create a pregnancy with a stranger during mania. Think twice. If you have a partner, get amorous with them.

Don’t text or call people at 3am. Post here instead.

School? Work? Are you responsible for taking care of anyone (kids, caretaker, etc.). What’s your schedule?

You definitely need to be taking your meds and staying away from alcohol/drugs.

I think you should call your doctor. See if you can get in early or at least speak with them.

If you have a therapist, put a call in.

If you can, try to not be alone and stay home. And if you’re getting psychotic or want to harm....get to the ER.

Wait...you have psychosis all the time? How long has it been?

What symptoms? Hallucinations, delusions, what’s going on? Are you on an antipsychotic?

That’s not good, obviously! Don’t drive. I’ve had to utilize an ambulance to get to the ER before, it was fine. Or my boyfriend drove me.

My boyfriend gets extremely psychotic when he has a full manic episode. He requires IP, every time, even though I try to take care of him at home. What happens is he becomes so delusional that I can’t get him to stay home. And it’s very unsafe for him to be out like that...

I’ve sometimes required IP for mania, but only if extremely psychotic. There have been times I’ve been able to safely stabilize with the prompt help of my psychiatrist adjusting my meds...increasing my Geodon, at least. But it’s getting in to see him within less than 24 hours and having my boyfriend drive me.

You sound lucid, that’s good. But I think you need to act now. Things can change quickly. Know what your danger zones are and safeguard now. Mine is spending and I dropped 60k because I didn’t want to come down from my mania....my manias are scorched earth and scare me now.

I’m concerned for you, give us a status update. I think you need a new psychiatrist after you get to baseline. I think you need your psychosis treated. The longer a person is psychotic, the harder it is to end the psychosis. I imagine you have kindling.

Hang in there. Get help, reach out now. I think ongoing psychosis plus your full mania warrants the Emergency Room/hospital. Get you treated properly, it’s typically only 5 days or so, in my experience. Thinking of you.