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Original poster

Aaargh - manic ...

43 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 21/06/2007 06:05

When I was younger I used to have unpleasantly manic phases. Not alarming ones, I never self-harmed or did anything really stupid (well, no more stupid than I did the rest of the time, I think ).

I haven't had one for years and years, but appear to be having one now. I was never diagnosed as bipolar or anything, I don't think it's severe enough to need medical treatment, but I'm just finding it a bit unpleasant, like going down a hill too fast and not being able to stop.

I will go running today, which I hope will moderate things. I don't drink caffeine, generally, anyway. I avoid sugar, and eat well. Is there anything else I can do to stay on top of this? I don't mind it exactly, but I don't like the uneasy jittery feeling much. (Oh, and it would be nice to get a bit more sleep ...)

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Blandmum · 21/06/2007 06:51

Did you watch the (excellent) Stephen Fry M/D programme? He spoke to people wuth dxed Bipalar depression and many of them used a whole range of methods of coping the condition. Some used medication. Others used a variety of other methods.

One used meditation, which she found useful. Another woman used to plot her mood swings on a graph, and she and her family found this helpful is managing her swings.

I think the fact that you realise this is happeneing is in someways a good thing (though unpleasant for you) When a family member of mine went into the manic phase there was no self awareness, and that was part of the problem.

Hope that you feel better soon (and that someone with more info pops up soon)

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 21/06/2007 06:55

Well, I'm not manic in the 'building a house out of tissues in the living room and taking drugs' sort of way. I'm just a bit overly speedy. I don't know what's brought it on, and I don't know how to make it go away. I'm hoping (more) exercise will do the trick. Yesterday I biked, but didn't run. Today I will do both.

Problem is, I'm naturally a reasonably hyper sort of person, and this is just unpleasant to me.

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 21/06/2007 06:56

Oh, no, didn't see Stephen Fry. I don't seem to watch TV much these days.

I guess I'll look online, it's just difficult because 'mania' seems to generally mean diagnosable mania, you know, where you sleep with strangers and wake up in a ditch, rather than just feeling a bit speedy.

(I don't think I am bipolar, because I don't really get the other pole at all ...)

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Blandmum · 21/06/2007 07:05

THere were all 'grades' of dx there. But as you say, your feeling are not dxable becaue they are more minor (though still not nice for you. SF feels that he has bipolar depression. And he copes with it without drugs. As did quite a few people on the program, which really was first rate, informative and compasionate, not a 'look at the 'mad' people' prog at all.

Exercise might help as you say, but have you thought of trying some relaxation classes as well?

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 21/06/2007 07:08

Oh god, the idea of trying to sit still makes me feel quite ill.

I might try pilates.

If I keep having attacks, I will try going to the local temple for meditation, or try yoga.

I have remembered the last time I had this attack - I was pregnant, with DS2 I think. (I'm not pregnant now.)

Actually, probably what would help is, I will try to use my energy to declutter a bit, and wear myself out that way. After the run, though.

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Budababe · 21/06/2007 07:20

It sounds like it would be worth getting assessed.

My sister has just been diagnosed. We have guessed for a while - initially she had PND with all 3 children but after her third it changed. She was finally properly assessed last week and is coming to terms with it. She WILL need medication - is classic apparently - has the deebts to prove it!

There is lots of on-line info about bi-polar - there is a questionnaire used in diagnosis - you may be able to find that.

www.seroquel.com/cbip/md/mood-questionnaire.aspx - questionnaire by a drug company.

Budababe · 21/06/2007 07:22

Yay - i did a link! I did a link!

Not a link virgin anymore!

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 21/06/2007 07:38

The link worked - but I didn't meet the diagnostic criteria, because the symptoms don't cause a problem. I've not got in debt, or been unable to lead a normal life because of this, I just find it a bit unpleasant.

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 21/06/2007 07:39

It's curious that the diagnostic tool for bipolar disorder only really talks about the hyper end, isn't it?

At any rate, I will try running today. And relaxation if needed.

I don't totally mind being hyper, I'd just rather be a wee bit less hyper than I am today.

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Blandmum · 21/06/2007 07:40

If you want to de-clutter, you don't fancy poping round to my house do you?

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 21/06/2007 07:41

Oh, I have more than enough clutter, I'm afraid. Nice of you to offer, though.

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Budababe · 21/06/2007 07:51

I have a 5 yr old on first day of summer holidays that needs entertaining - that might help!

It does sound like yours is very very mild. If that is what it is. Exercise sounds like a good plan.

No other suggestions really - my sis used to self-medicate her way through an episode but didn't with her last one - ended up with no washing back-log, no ironing pile and a clean house!

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 21/06/2007 08:15

Self-medicate, as in, drink?

Last time I had this, I was pregnant, and I remember looking up online the side-effects of being manic and pregnant. It was all about the effects from taking illegal drugs to self-medicate, or sleeping with people and catching STDs. I'm not doing either of those!

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Budababe · 21/06/2007 08:37

No - not drink. She was on anti-depressants and tranquilizers. Was altering old prescriptions etc. Spent a Xmas here with me going from chemist to chemist getting one or two I think.

The physciatrist she saw said it was very common. She would also take sleeping tabs and just try to sleep through it.

She finally stopped when a pharmacy called the police after she tried to pass of an altered prescription. They had taken her car reg and the police arrived at the house. Denied it totally but it frightened her.

She doesn't really drink.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 21/06/2007 08:38

Ah, if I wasn't able to sleep, I would count the mania as a bigger problem. But I was manic yesterday and slept ok last night, just woke after 6 hours rather than 7.5.

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 21/06/2007 08:39

(And I don't really drink. I suspect alcohol would make me more manic, anyway. Might try one unit tonight, to see.)

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ggglimpopo · 21/06/2007 08:40

I would go down the yoga/meditation route. Thai massage is wonderful as it is calming but exhausting and leaves an endomorphine high that is pleasantly sedating.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 21/06/2007 08:42

Oh, yes, haven't had a massage for ages, will try that for relaxation, too, if this keeps up.

I do enjoy the extra energy, tbh, I just don't like feeling unsettled. I'll try running + decluttering (maybe) today. If it's still going on tomorrow I will investigate meditation etc. Oh, and some self-hypnosis techniques I learned in pregnancy.

If I suffered from this regularly, I'm sure I'd have a toolkit of techniques to calm myself down. It's only because I haven't had this for years that it's thrown me for a loop.

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ggglimpopo · 21/06/2007 08:50

Try the thai, NQC, as it relaxing but particularly exhausting!

I have manic mornings when I see all that needs to be done and do it all frantically. I love it, actually!

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 21/06/2007 16:22

Ok, the manic thing is not good for childcare. I do not have the patience to be calm and go slowly etc etc etc.

I will have to sort this out tonight, will talk through mood with DH, see if that helps.

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 22/06/2007 12:47

This is not fixing itself. Grrr.

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filthymindedvixen · 22/06/2007 12:54

I really empathise, I am also a reasonably hyper sort of person. I find I get a little manic in the run up to my period (especailly when it clashes with full moon. I can't settle very well to one task and take on too many things and then get anxious that I don't let anyone down... (then I have a mini-slump where I sleep more and am lethargic)

I do yoga and meditate (in theory but usually I just channel it and give myself lots of jobs to do...digging in garden, de-cluttering, baking, cooking for freezer etc.

no real advice though. sorry.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 22/06/2007 13:08

I did therapeutic baking last night, and ranting at DH. I don't think I'm very pleasant to live with at the moment.

I think if my head did this regularly I'd maybe have more coping mechanisms, but it's been literally years since I felt like this.

I will try more things this weekend, I guess.

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 22/06/2007 13:09

I'm finding it very hard to focus and just do one thing. I had to put a new seat on my bike, and that was just hellish, it required calm slow hands and patience. It's hardly bloody brain surgery, but it was hard.

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moopymoo · 22/06/2007 13:14

dh is bipolar - hes not on meds and manages well most of the time. when manic, he likes to walk and walk, real yomps up a mountain. this seems to really help. he also loves kite flying - this seems to sooth him. hth