![]() Rubenstein recommends tracking your mood and symptoms regularly outside of manic episodes too. Plus, maintaining a routine sometimes makes it easy to spot a new episode coming on, she points out, since you’d be more likely to notice shifts in your habits.ĭr. For example, if you skip a meal, you might feel stressed, a common trigger for many folks with bipolar I. Other routines, such as enjoying regular meals and spending time with loved ones, can also keep your mood as stable as possible, Dr. Focus first on your sleep, he advises, as sleep deprivation can lead to more frequent manic episodes for many people with the condition. Keeping some kind of daily schedule can be helpful for people with bipolar I, Collin Vas, MD, associate professor of psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center, tells SELF. If you’re worried you’ll feel especially frantic and think you may need to seek mental health care as mania is happening, write down what hospitals are in your network ahead of time and keep your insurance information in an easy-to-reach spot, Dr. Consider withdrawing only the cash you’ll need for a week or two-week span if you’re prone to overspending and need to remind yourself to slow down. There are also ways to do some damage control solo. ![]() ![]() “That’s a person who has temporary power to make decisions for you when you can’t do it yourself during a manic episode,” Dr. And if you or your loved ones are really worried about your safety, you could look into a health care power of attorney. Daramus adds that a support circle can also intervene to encourage you to reach out for medical care if your mania feels unmanageable. For example: If you spend excessive money or gamble during episodes, consider handing your credit cards to a friend or family member you can trust.ĭr. If you often take risks in mania, ask for backup. While you’re not obligated to share personal info with loved ones, having clear guidance when your mind is scattered can help you make decisions you’d likely also choose outside of an episode. Call on people you trust for backup: Folks who care about you can help you spot an episode and generally be a source of support. When you’re in a manic episode, you might have racing, intense thoughts that can lead you to make decisions you don’t feel good about later. If you’re moving through bipolar cycles, take note of how your manic episodes shift in look and feel-and share that information with your care team: Are certain triggers becoming more problematic? Are your episodes shorter or longer as the weeks and months pass? With this information, your doctors can help you better prepare for future manic periods with new coping strategies and treatment approaches. But if you’re experiencing a manic episode, you might toss and turn, be infuriated to the point that you’re spiraling, and feel like you’re bursting at the seams with energy that needs to escape. Maybe an argument with a friend keeps you tossing and turning at night, leaving you yawning the next day-that’s a typical response to emotional stress, she notes. Daramus, you’re looking for extreme versions of those behaviors, rather than run-of-the-mill emotional responses. How can you tell the difference? According to Dr. Of course, feeling impulsive or angry can happen outside of a manic episode too-and that could have nothing to do with your condition, given that everyone feels these things sometimes.
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