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To coincide with World Bipolar Day, this Topic Tuesday, we're going to discuss how to recognise the symptoms of mania, how to manage it, and what to do after a manic episode. We'll be joined by special guests, @SusanaBA and @davidharper_bal from Bipolar Australia, a peak body organisation that offers support and services to people living with bipolar.
Join the conversation, March 28th 7 - 9pm AEDT
1) Hit the 'Like' button below to receive an email reminder on the night
2.) Can't make the session? Leave your question below to be answered during the session
@CherryBomb there are a lot of other conditions which co-occur in bipolar and can make it difficult to diagnose and then treat. Some of the common ones are anxiety, substance use, and attention deficit disorders. Many people with bipolar unfortunately experienced trauma during their childhood, which can make their condition harder to manage.
We call these other diagnoses "co-morbidities" and it is almost universal in bipolar. Almost everyone who has bipolar disorder has something else as well.
In response to: Topic Tuesday // Recognising and managing mania // 28 March, 7 - 9pm AEDT
Mania for me means multiple nights without any sleep. I'm too busy to sleep or eat. I can no longer walk anywhere because I'm forced by the manic episode. Im brilliant and I can do anything - even fly to the moon until my world becomes so fast and everything descends in to total chaos.
I have learnt to detect the very earliest signs of mania and at that point I will start taking antipsychotics because that appears to be the only medication that actually works. I fear mania. It's fun at the beginning but rapidly becomes a daymare/nightmare.
I fear dysphoric mania even more so and again the only solution for me is mega doses of antipsychotics endorsed by my psychiatrist.
In response to: Topic Tuesday // Recognising and managing mania // 28 March, 7 - 9pm AEDT
@Ayesha schizoaffective is sometimes a catch-all diagnosis which is given where the true condition is not entirely clear. The Black Dog Institute provides a free Mood Assessment Program which can be used by doctors to make a proper diagnosis, and it might be worth investigating this.
However, at present I am glad you are going to hospital and echo @CherryBomb's concern that you may need some assistance in the meantime.
In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Recognising and managing mania // 28 March, 7 - 9pm AEDT
Hi @Kurra, welcome to the discussion! May I ask what are your warning signs?
@davidharper_bal and @SusanaBA what support is out there for people who have bipolar? We've also got a few questions about getting a diagnosis. Any advice here?
In response to: Topic Tuesday // Recognising and managing mania // 28 March, 7 - 9pm AEDT
I have schizoaffective disorder bipolar type. I recently had an episode of hypomania where I was constantly feeling irritated and angry. I did not recognise that I was even hypomanic at the time until I came back down (I am in the depression phase again now). In the past, when fully manic, I lost all insight of my illness. When I am well or in a depressive cycle, I have pretty good insight, however when mania strikes, all insight goes flying out the window. Is this fairly normal to lose insight when manic?
I've done some pretty crazy stuff I wish I could take back is all.
In response to: Topic Tuesday // Recognising and managing mania // 28 March, 7 - 9pm AEDT
My first manic episode lasted 3 months of a very productive life as Student, socializing, I didn't know any of the symptoms of any illness Of course it was great being able to sleep 2/3 hours and perform the next day very refreshed I traveled for east to west coast both ways in 15 day (my holidays at Uni) with the Greyhound. It took me 4 day and 4 nights one way! My goal meeting my family in San Francisco for the first time,, specially my uncle Felix Bloch who received a Noble price for working out the MRI. No one could stop me, my father insisted to buy me an air ticket, my answer, I want to meet people on the ground as I pass different states. This mania, not treated, ended in a psychotic episode. My 2nd mania was 17 yrs later, in the clinic when treated for my catatonic state (lowest depression no answering to any stimuli, and I had my 6th ECT that sent me high as a kite. It also last 3 months, and this time gave my dr the ok to diagnose my having bipolar, all you need is one manic episode.
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