Manic episode - handhold

[whatthehellnoweh]

Hi, apologies if this is triggering to anyone (and I am 100% genuine) but I need a handhold

I am in the middle of what I believe to be a manic/hypomanic episode - never diagnosed as bipolar (only depressed) but I have had episodes like this before.

I have abused drugs and alcohol tonight, currently on my way to London (only about an hour away - public transport not driving) even though I know it's a terrible idea I can't stop myself. My heart is racing, I feel on top of the world. I have somewhere to go in London which is safe but I hate this feeling of being out of control yet I can't stop myself

It might be an idea to take yourself off to A and E?

I suspect your feelings of mania is due to the drug and alcohol use and the drug use coming from a place of self-sabotage.
Do yourself a favour, get a bottle of water, some dirty food and go home. Tomorrow contact the GP.

Hi what - I have no experience of these manic episodes but I do have depression and know what it's like to have thoughts that get out of control that you cannot stop and end up putting you in a bad place.

I'm assuming you are going to the safe place - maybe this is what you need somewhere where you are understood & cared for - maybe the drugs and alcohol give you the boost to get you there.

Please stay safe and maybe go see your GP once you have got over this x

I’m bipolar OP.

Make sure you get to your safe place.

From experience manic episodes are much more dangerous than depressive ones.

Stay safe.

Thank you for your comments.

The drugs and alcohol have certainly spurred me on, but I've been feeling manic for the last few weeks or so - jittery, thoughts all over the place, needing to be the centre of attention. Tonight was definitely an exaggeration of it. I am off to a dear friend's - it is a safe place as I have no one to be with me at home

Hearts - is there anything I can do? I'm on antidepressants - recently increased dose - but psychiatrists have put my previous mania/hypomania down to situational things.

Have you also been prescribed an anti anxiety med such as propranolol? That might help with the anxiety/jitters, although taking anything with an illicit drug can be dangerous.
Is the drug you have taken tonight a stimulant?

Could the recently increased dose account for your unrest?

I haven't, no - it's an SSRI. No other meds apart from contraception. The drug was a stimulant but taken much earlier in the night so immediate effects have worn off

If you have bipolar, antidepressants may not be a good idea and could possibly be harmful. A mood stabilizer might be a better idea. Have you been referred for an assessment? Please please don't mix street drugs with bipolar. It's a recipe for death. You can control this and lead a wonderful happy life, but you have to want to do it. Take a calm moment and take control. Don't just put it off because you feel ok.

I have bipolar and have been taken off all antidepressants, I’m taking lithium and an antipsychotic now.

I hope you are safe, speak with a psychiatrist as soon as possible

And just to add, the dosages that are given of lithium today are nothing like what they used to give. It's usually a very low dose mixed with an antipsychotic and it does not make you completely dopey the way the old days, high dosage lithium used to do. Please do speak with a psychiatrist. There are lots of really amazing solutions these days.

What Sofia said.

Antidepressants can exacerbate manic episodes.

I’m not on lithium at all, I am on a combination of sodium valproate and quetiapine.

Sleep is very important for bipolar people.

Good luck OP.

Thank you all for your kind comments and for not judging me. I am in a safe place now, still feeling that wired buzzing feeling but much calmer than last night.

My main question now is how do I go about getting help for this? How did you first raise it with your GP/therapist? I have a psychotherapist who is brilliant but know I would need to see the GP as well about medication. Would they then refer to a psychiatrist?

Hello. I am glad you reached your safe place. You would need to see your GP who would refer you to your CMHT. If it's the same in your area as it is in mine (Bradford), you would be assigned a care-coordinator who would visit you at home until your psychiatrist appointment came through (about 6 weeks). It is crucial that you get the ball rolling because these things take time and you don't want to end up in harm's way again. Do you have friends and family who can support you?