[Rick7892]

My diagnoses include bipolar, anxiety, and depression. I have thought of these as separate and my mental health providers seem to also. In trying to practice mindfulness of what I am experiencing, I sometimes recognize symptoms so I can identify which one is occurring in the moment.

But with more practice, I am finding that sometimes mania and anxiety seem to occur at the same time. Other times mania follows anxiety when my anxiety is out of control. And anxiety often follows mania for me. It sometimes seems that they feed off each other, which is harder for me to cope with. When I have talked to my mental health providers about this, they just look at me...

Any thoughts? Anyone else experience this?

I've read a lot of posts in this forum over the years, and I'd say it's fairly common for anxiety to coincide with elevated moods, or even depressed moods.

I think it's important for you to figure out what triggers your anxiety so that you can treat the problem at the source. For example, I will get bad paranoia during mania that triggers random little anxieties that otherwise wouldn't be triggered. My therapist has always said to me that while an anxiolytic could help treat the anxiety stemming from the paranoia, the anxiolytic isn't treating the underlying problem, the paranoia. She says antipsychotics are used to indirectly treat the anxiety stemming from the paranoia. Heck, sometimes I'm just thinking about too many things at once (racing thoughts) and then I'll get one random, worrying thought that spawns off new random, worrying thoughts. So in that case, I need to find something to keep me focused on one thing and one thing only, so that my mind isn't a runaway train.

Hope that makes sense.

Hi Rick. I certainly have periods of anxiety without mania or depression, but also have them with some episodes of mania and depression. Sometimes I'll have more pure mania or depression, then the anxiety (or mixed features) will develop on top of them. Maybe sometimes the transition is triggered, while other times it seems to go that direction mysteriously.

That's great that you have mastered mindfulness well enough to make such helpful insights into your illness. I'm sure that those insights shed some light on things.

[xRavenx]

I can also relate to noticing that my mania often co-occurs with anxiety. Sometimes the anxiety becomes so severe that it becomes actual paranoia, but more often than not, it is just anxiety. But there are periods where I am not experiencing an actual episode, but the anxiety is still present. Growing up, I was diagnosed with GAD from a School Psychologist, along with a mood disorder. I am just an anxious person overall and always have been. Both of my pdocs told me that the anxiety is secondary to the Bipolar, and my most recent pdoc didn't even make a formal diagnosis of an anxiety d/o, because she said it is so common for her patients with Bipolar to experience both. It is especially prevalent during mixed manic episodes for me. Therefore, you are not alone. Mindfulness is definitely a valuable tool.

[*Beth*]

I have vicious anxiety with depression. With mania...I think I'd call the anxiety more of an "agitation". But whatever I call it, severe anxiety is definite;y part of my BP.

[yellow_fleurs]

My psychiatrist told me they can be related actually, and anxiety can be worse with uncontrolled bipolar. At least I think so if I recall correctly.

[Underdevelopment]

Anxiety definitely 'feeds' into other issues, diagnosis of for no other reason that your nervous system is already at a hightened level and catastrophe scale out of wack. It certainly feeds my bipolar.

Anxiety is the fuel that keeps my vicious cycle and circular thinking going, and speeds it up. My dog by means on co-regulation is one of the few things that works for me. He tells me by his reactions if I'm acting high or low. Coregulating can come from other things, but is hard to combat, usually because your So wound up you can't stop to be mindful.

Something to try is writing all the anger, frustration, high, low out. Or scream it out. Then listen or read what you've read it said. Get yourself to a safe place, off the road etc, and use distraction. This is where, if you can, set up a plan ahead of time as a go to. Given time and repetitive practice you can get used to using this tool.

Having said all of that, does it always work. For me no. Sometimes I need to shock myself before I can 'see' my state. Sometimes I have to call my therapist or suicide helpline. Sometimes turning up at ED is the only option.

Whats important is to have plans ahead of time and keep yourself safe.

Keep fighting. Please. We need you.

[Fuzzybear]

I definitely have severe anxiety as part of my dx.

[Rick7892]

Hi,

Thanks for your kind replies and sharing your experiences!

On one hand, I am glad that I am not the only one who experiences these confusing mixtures. And your replies give me ideas for coping!

On the other hand, I am saddened that others have experiences like this, too. They are no fun.

Thanks and Best Wishes for the New Year!

[*Beth*]

I meant to mention that anxiety (especially severe anxiety) can be part of a "dysphoric mania".

[Rick7892]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I meant to mention that anxiety (especially severe anxiety) can be part of a "dysphoric mania".

Thanks for this! I had seen the term "dysphoric mania" but had not looked into it. I like to have things simple and distinct. But I am finding that does not appear to be the case with my bipolar because it can be mixed with anxiety and other stuff. I don't like it.

But it is what it is and at least now with the responses of others, I don't feel so alone.

[cashart10]

I generally only have anxiety under anxiety provoking situations. However, if I am highly manic/psychotic or highly depressed, I will often have anxiety or sometimes paranoia.

[~Christina]

Ooops duplicate

[~Christina]

My Pdoc , T and I all feel Bipolar is an umbrella... I have yet to meet anyone with BP not have any and all forms of anxiety , panic, insomnia, hypersomnia, increased sex drive or none at all. Bipolar is an extreme up or down. We can be flying high and the colors have sounds or low and every corner lurks something dreadful and soul sucking.

We all just want to find that happy medium , content place in our worlds were we can find some damn peace.