Hey @Ru-bee @rav3n
Thank you both so much. It’s a lot to take in.
I wasn’t going to tell her how bad it’s gotten but I decided that I had to.
People think mania is just highs and euphoria but it’s not always. Mine is presenting very differently. Plus I have the depression side too so it’s a double whammy.
There is no plan B but I have to work on things. The mania won’t stop my compulsive to-do lists but I have to add in there after a few tasks I need to take some time out to cuddle and pat the dogs. Just to give me a moment of love and connection. A breather. Then I can keep going. She is hoping that by adding 5 minutes of this with the dogs it’ll grow to be a little longer. I also have to add a shower to my list as well. But it’s not to be a get in and get out thing. It has to be mindful. Just another breather. She wants me to try these things to try and be a circuit breaker. I also have to sit with my head in my knees and put an ice pack on my neck when things get overwhelming. Apparently it’s the equivalent to a cold shower.
I also have to monitor my sleep and continue doing the right things to help. I got up at 3pm yesterday, went to work came home and had an hour and a half sleep and have been on the go since. I’ve bathed both dogs, changed all my bed linen and towels and washed everything, washed my work clothes, whipper snippered the front and backyards, mown the front and just doing the back. My body is exhausted, my mind is active and I am nowhere near tired. I couldn’t go to sleep if I wanted to.
One thing though that made me feel validated is, I’m compulsive about these lists and I won’t stop them but it’s the mania and I can’t actually stop them. It’s the bipolar part of my mind that is making me do it. So when people say ‘just rest’ ‘it can wait until tomorrow’ I’m not just being difficult and want to push myself it is my bipolar telling me.