[bipolarpam]

I just experienced my first mixed episode. I think that it may have been caused by a med change. What other triggers can cause this? What is your experience with mixed episodes?

[suzanmae]

I have been having a mixed episode for the last 2 days. My psychiatrist says my medicine is not yet to a therapeutic dose (changing as well). She's upping me slowly to watch for side effects. Anyhow, these things totally suck. Yesterday I plummeted from an obsessive high to a terrible depression. I put myself out with benadryl because I couldn't stand the crying anymore. Today when I felt the depression coming on, I convinced myself to sleep. Just got up and I feel a fair bit better. With the mixed episodes though, I experience worse depressions than I ever have in my life.

[bipolarpam]

Hi Suzanmae,

I had a med change due to a SE I was having with Abilify. It was at that time I got the mixed episode. My pdoc took me off the Geodon and placed me on a higher dosage of Abilify and put me back on Xanax.

I am feeling a little better . . . just a little depression and agitation remain.

I'm like you . . . mixed episodes are the worst!!!

I certainly hope that you get to feeling much better soon.

bipolarpam

[Loimu]

Hi,

for me the mixed episodes are definitely the most horrible and I have had many in my life. After being diagnozed with bipolar I had a few during the first months when we tried different medications, but also had one last summer when there were no medication changes (and it lasted over a month!). At least for me the episodes (regradless of whether mixed, depression or hypomania) are usually caused by some small and sudden change in my life, as was this mixed episode last summer. Although, sometimes I think episodes can be triggered by just about anything.

Having routines in life probably helps, because if something sudden happens, being stressed or physically exhausted can be the thing to push you overboard.

I hope you are doing better, and that you will never get another one in your life

[trippinmickey]

I think we build up triggers which can cause mixed episodes .My self I try to a void my triggers. Bring manic and feeling super great then crashing into a wall sucks .I rapid cycle anyway so I always falling at least once a month . Everyone hits bumps in the road now and then so sometimes it hard to tell .

[bipolarpam]

Thanks, guys! I hope that you all are feeling well. I just wanted to report that I am feeling almost "normal" whatever that is. LOL!!!

Your ideas of what may have happened are right on. At the time I had the mixed episode, I was in the middle of a med change and I was also preparing for a graduate program interview. I was under a lot of physical and mental stress. I wasn't eating or sleeping properly and mentally I was wiped out. So my triggers are stress and med related.

Loimu, thanks for your good wishes that I never have one again. I second that!

Hugs to all,
bipolarpam

[Schatje]

Yuck, I hate mixed episodes. They are the ones that are the most scary. Too much stress and a change in the routine can really do you in. Glad you are feeling better.