Bipolar experiences

[Sausagedog101]

Hi everyone

Recently diagnosed with rapid cycling bipolar II. Started lithium 6 weeks ago.

Looking for the experiences of others to better understand my own illness. Does anyone have any experience of hypersexuality and how this plays out for you? Or jypomanic episodes?

Many thanks for your help.

*hypomanic. Apologies, typing whilst a child sleeps on my arm!

I was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder a couple of years ago. Lithium has been very successful for me. I have only had the one case of hypomania that got me hospitalised and diagnosed. I have had some mood elevation but alterations to lithium level and also treatment for associated sleep disfunction have contained those.

It was a lot to come to terms with and I have only told a few people, who can be trusted to care when I am at my most vulnerable. A couple of years down the road I feel positive for my future. A lot of the literature is focused on worse case scenarios but my consultant is very optimistic about how many people with bipolar live amazing, fulfilling lives once their medication is personalised for them.

Thank you @IcyWintetDays that is really encouraging and I'm glad to hear lithium is working for you.

Has anyone got experiences of Hypomania where you are able to function?

I have "high functioning" bipolar in that I have continued to work and semi function even when severely depressed or manic.

My diagnosis was delayed as the consultant I was seeing didn't believe I could have been working whilst experiencing the symptoms I was having. It was a bit ridiculous, I was getting in to trouble at work for criticising (correctly) people above me. I just didn't have the insight that as the most junior member of the team it was inappropriate to say the big boss called pointless meeting to pontificate about himself! I was running on about 2-4h sleep on good nights but could go 50+h without sleep and though I could fly!

Similarly with depressions i continue working whilst having very distressing symptoms. The times when I have to stop work I get unwell quite quickly. I have to warn my support teams that my symptoms and how I present can be quite different.

I have mostly found stability on quetiapine and with lifestyle changes. My only recent episodes have been post partum as it seems that causes me significant issues

I had my worst manic episode whilst doing a year in industry during my masters and still managed to graduate with a 1st. I went on to do a PhD which was when I was diagnosed and this was a time when my mood has been the least stable. After graduating I got a 9-5 job in a professional field and aside from post partum and a mild hypomanic episode I've been stable.

Important things for me to stay stable are a 10-11 pm bedtime, low caffeine, low processed sugars, 3 meals a day, exercise when I can- especially pilates and running. Engaging with others.