Hey, y’all –
Well, as you can tell by the title, I have been, in fact, enjoying some rather good bipolar days lately. My husband (also my primary supporter) is watching me closely, however, to make sure I don’t swing into a bipolar manic episode, which is what I want to talk to you about today.
Here’s my view on it:
1. Just because you’re having a good day, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
2. Just because you’re enjoying some shopping, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
3. Just because you’re in a really good mood, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
4. Just because you’re laughing more than usual, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
5. Just because you’re a little talkative, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
6. Just because you stay up a little late, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
7. Just because you decide to go on a diet, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
8. Just because you do something spontaneously, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
9. Just because you change your hair or your dress, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
10. Just because you take a risk, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
HOWEVER…
If you start doing too many of these things…
Or if you start doing them at the same time…
Or if they start to interfere with your normal daily functioning…
Of if someone else starts to question you about your behavior…
THEN… you may have to consider that you might be in a bipolar manic episode.
Here’s the key to it — you have to be so familiar with the signs and symptoms of a manic episode, and so familiar with your “normal” self, that you can tell the difference between the two.
You know yourself better than anyone else. You should know when you’re just having a series of really good bipolar days or when you’re getting out of control and possibly becoming manic.
But just in case, you should have a primary supporter, who knows you very well, and knows about your bipolar disorder. This person should be someone you trust, someone you can talk to about how you feel — so that you can tell them when you’re afraid that you might be going into an episode.
Your primary supporter should also be as familiar with bipolar disorder as you are — they should know all the signs and symptoms, so that they can recognize them in you. Because they know you so well, they may be able to tell whether you are going into a bipolar episode even before you can (or when you can’t).
It’s good to have a supporter anyway, someone outside of ourselves, since because of the nature of our bipolar disorder, we are not always our own best judge, are we? Sometimes the disorder can cloud our judgment and distort our thoughts.
The point of all this?
Be aware of the signs and symptoms of a bipolar manic episode, but don’t over-react, either.
If you’re having some good bipolar days, ENJOY!!!
Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele
Hey, y’all –
Well, as you can tell by the title, I have been, in fact, enjoying some rather good bipolar days lately. My husband (also my primary supporter) is watching me closely, however, to make sure I don’t swing into a bipolar manic episode, which is what I want to talk to you about today.
Here’s my view on it:
1. Just because you’re having a good day, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
2. Just because you’re enjoying some shopping, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
3. Just because you’re in a really good mood, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
4. Just because you’re laughing more than usual, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
5. Just because you’re a little talkative, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
6. Just because you stay up a little late, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
7. Just because you decide to go on a diet, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
8. Just because you do something spontaneously, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
9. Just because you change your hair or your dress, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
10. Just because you take a risk, doesn’t mean you’re manic.
HOWEVER…
If you start doing too many of these things…
Or if you start doing them at the same time…
Or if they start to interfere with your normal daily functioning…
Of if someone else starts to question you about your behavior…
THEN… you may have to consider that you might be in a bipolar manic episode.
Here’s the key to it — you have to be so familiar with the signs and symptoms of a manic episode, and so familiar with your “normal” self, that you can tell the difference between the two.
You know yourself better than anyone else. You should know when you’re just having a series of really good bipolar days or when you’re getting out of control and possibly becoming manic.
But just in case, you should have a primary supporter, who knows you very well, and knows about your bipolar disorder. This person should be someone you trust, someone you can talk to about how you feel — so that you can tell them when you’re afraid that you might be going into an episode.
Your primary supporter should also be as familiar with bipolar disorder as you are — they should know all the signs and symptoms, so that they can recognize them in you. Because they know you so well, they may be able to tell whether you are going into a bipolar episode even before you can (or when you can’t).
It’s good to have a supporter anyway, someone outside of ourselves, since because of the nature of our bipolar disorder, we are not always our own best judge, are we? Sometimes the disorder can cloud our judgment and distort our thoughts.
The point of all this?
Be aware of the signs and symptoms of a bipolar manic episode, but don’t over-react, either.
If you’re having some good bipolar days, ENJOY!!!
Wishing you peace and stability,
Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele