Advice please about spending time with somebody in a “hyper”Phase...

[BertrandRussell]

I’m spending a few days with mil- she has bipolar and recovering from a manic phase. She’s much better, but is still very hyper- she was up at 4 talking constantly, “tidying” cupboards, just generally racketting around. I can’t decide whether it’s best to let her get on with it or try to encourage her to slow down a bit? And just generally- any advice on “managing”her? She’s barely sleeping so neither am I! Her house has lots of little steps and corners so she can’t be left alone- her medication makes her a bit wobbly on her feet. Help!

Anybody?

Let her get on with it. When I'm manic and on a mission I don't appreciate people trying to help or hinder!

I expect the managing comment is just a poor (overtired?) choice of words. You want to know how best to help, and keep your own sanity at the same time.

When my close friend is manic it's best to quietly just let her get on with it. Sometimes I can distract her with conversation, but the majority of the time that just upsets her so I watch quietly to make sure she's safe.

But each person is different. Ask her when she's calm again what would work best for her :)

Definitely let her get on with it

Sorry- I didn’t meant to offend. I used inverted commas around manage because I know it wasn’t the perfect word. But I think of it like any other illness- I would ask advice about managing a fever or a broken leg, so I don’t think I deserve a hard time for using it about a mental illness. But hey ho.

And i’ve been up since. 4, helping sort out cupboards which are then chucked straight back in, and stopping her throwing things away which she be heartbroken to have lost by next week. So getting my vocabulary perfect is a bit low on my list of priorities.

I think in her own home, you pretty much have to let her get on with things if she’s determined to crack on. But if you and she get along, can you initiate a quiet chat over a drink, or a couple of hours watching a movie/box set?

You mention that she can’t be left alone, is that why you’re there? If it is, you’ve probably got to suck up the late nights, but if not, do what you can to encourage her to relax, but ultimately take a back seat. If she’s very unsteady on her feet, I’d probably not have any booze, in case there’s a problem that needs medical help; that might sound overly dramatic, but having had a friend fall and hurt herself while staying at ours, being able to drive her to A&E was for the best.