[Victoria'smom]

My T asks me a series of questions to rate them 1-10 each week. How would you rate your scale?

Mine is:
1 (hospitalization required)
2 ( conversations about hospital needed)
3 (thoughts of SI)
4 (Bothersome psychosis)
5 (numb, okay, comfortable)
6 (decent)
(goal 6.5)
7 (happy)
8 (really happy)
9 (hypomanic)
10 (manic)

What is your scale?

1. the worst, terrible, suicidal SI thoughts, defenetly need hospital

2. not much better, barely surviving

3. restless, irritable, can't really see a way out of here

4. eating normally, having little enjoyment in things, starting to see the light

5. indiffrent. things can be better, things can be worse

6. more energy, getting more done, feel like their is more hope

7. really good. starting to plan things ahead of time, even doing some socialising

8. their's not enough hours in a day to do all I want to d.

9. life is great. it doesn't feel like I am ill at all, I am getting things done, making plans, making progress with stuff, and generally think life is too short because their is so much to do.

10. I am amazing!. the world is my oyster and I can do anything!

1. Need for hospitalization. Psychosis/self harm/suicidal.

2. I’m bed-ridden/floor-ridden. I don’t get up to eat, or to do anything but use the bathroom. Lots of crying; lots of just sitting in sorrow and misery. I’ve given up most hope and just want to succumb to it all and hope the pain subsides. It’s at this point I find it hard to come out of even with help. Skipping a lot of things that can’t be missed, like work.

3. I do only what I’m forced to do. If I have to work to support myself, I go to work. I come home, sleep and repeat. Hygiene is questionable, I can’t find energy to do anything but bare necessities.

4. If you look at me, you’ll look right through me. I’m just going through the motions of life without experiencing them; for better or for worse: it all seems bleak.

5. Feeling blunted. Not only are my emotions blunted but being able to express intense emotions feels impossible, and they feel like the build up: it’s uncomfortable but it’s not the melancholy sadness from before— you gotta take that as a plus.

6. Realizing I’m at least above rock bottom: nothing is great but I’m still working on me. Patience is tested here..

7. “Partial remission” of depressive symptoms. At this point I feel like I’m at least going in the right direction and it’s worth continuing down this path. Better mood overall because I’m not dealing with such harsh depressive issues now.

8: I’m finding joy in things I used to like to do—I’m all about learning new things or processes. From culinary arts to calculus I have books, resources and everything on anything. Languages have a special place in my heart and I have an affinity for web development. Just being able to think of those things and say “maybe tomorrow I can make some time to dabble in that”. Just being able to find a little glimpse of joy.

9. I find myself smiling and enjoying most if not every day, most of the day. I feel content and can let little things roll off my back. I can live in the moment of peace and joy and feel like I have something to give. I can really start to delve into things again and be excited by changes and adventures

10. Dreams are become reality. I’ve got a purpose in life and a determined Mindset And means to make it happen— emotionally that means I can find joy and laughter in the world and enjoy and cherish what I have. Aspire to bigger things but have hope that I can make that a reality. Applying what I know and want to learn all at once. I feel like I’m out on top for once

This is an ideal list, I’m not so sure my hypomanic phases are exactly helpful to me.

[Soupe du jour]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

My T asks me a series of questions to rate them 1-10 each week. How would you rate your scale?

What is your scale?

Interesting question, and a good one to think about. Thanks, Miguel'smom! I have to admit that mine leans more on the manic side than yours.

1. Hospitalization for depression (may or may not include psychosis)

2. Serious depression: Active medication adjustments/more appointments, possible conversation about hospitalization (or ECT, if depression long-lasting & med resistant.) Mostly paralyzed in bed unable to do any (or hardly any) IADLs and maybe some ADLs. Zero thinking or disturbingly negative thinking. If had a job, stopped going to work for the most part.

3. Moderate depression: Home in bed most of the day with anhedonia, slightly paralyzed, but doing a few IADLs and all ADLs (at least for the most part), either very negative thinking/anxiety, or few thoughts at all. If at a job, many "mental health days" taken, or sitting at desk doing almost nothing and going to my car to escape.

4. Low level depression.: Low motivation, slight malaise, negative thinking, often anxiety, but can function to get minimum tasks done, but with a struggle.

5. Baseline: Feeling euthymic, but not elevated. Normally productive, for me, but not particularly project-driven. My normal mostly glass half full self.

6. Slightly elevated (mild hypomania): Lively, quite motivated and project-driven, excellent attitude, (mild euphoric), or if mixed, a bit of irritability/anger/anxiety, too. Loud, loquacious, fast-moving. Noticeable by others, but they are not concerned. Or they are mildly entertained or annoyed by my behavior.

7. Low/Moderate elevated (hypomania): Acting a bit like Robin Williams on a talk show. Yapping up a storm and very high energy. Some mildly impulsive and disinhibited behavior that is clearly noticed, but not yet totally dysfunctional. More pronounced elation and/or irritability/anger.

8. Moderate/High elevated (high-level hypomania): Acting very much like Robin Williams on a talk show. Getting "out of hand", slightly shocking and concerning or significantly angering people. Impulsivity and disinhibition causing negative ramifications and warnings. Frequent psychiatrist appointments and medication modification.

9. High elevated (Mania): Extreme euphoria and/or tirades and ranting that start getting me in trouble and causing stares in public and great fear in my husband. Emergency psychiatrist appointments with major medication modifications. Possible paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. Thoughts about IOP/PHP or even hospitalization.

10. Severely elevated (Severe Mania): Hospitalization, definite psychosis, major medication modifications, possible physical interactions with hospital staff, forced injections, and isolation room, possible talk about ECT. Often screaming/tirades/rants. Severe other symptoms. Very scary behavior, at times! Possible delirium. Cops have been called, at times.

NOTE: When I have mixed states, the severity and danger of the episode can skyrocket and I can sometimes become violent. I used to drink heavily. Generally, I only ever have self-harm issues or SI when in mixed states. I'm usually too paralyzed in pure depressions for that. I have been a danger to myself in euphoric mania, but they weren't intentional.
*

[bpcyclist]

1--massive, relentless, paralyzing depression, living in bed, constant SI, unceasing chest and abd pain

2--better, maybe able 2 exercise if forced, out of bed few hrs a day

3--historical baseline, able to do some stuff, but still amotivated, in pain, hopeless, exhausted

4--mild residual depression, but able to get some things done

5--euthymia, my most rare state, maybe 15 percent of time over past 15 yrs

6--hypo, euphoria, hyperkinetic, grandiose

7--mildish psychosis without mood symptoms, paranoid, delusional,

8--moderate mania w psychosis, dysphoric or euphoric

9--euphoric florid mania without psychosis, extreme S danger, guaranteed IP

10--florid mania and psychosis, may be euphoric or dysphoric, think I am Jesus, can disarm nuclear bombs, no insight, command hallucinations, may think God trying to kill me,, aud and viz hallucinations, extreme S danger, guaranteed hospital