I feel like I'm becoming manic

[Droopy]

I've had trouble sleeping for a while now. It has culminated in this evening. I work 3rd shift. I got 3 hours of sleep yesterday before going into work and today I haven't slept a wink. But I feel good. Nice and alert. I don't consume caffeine, btw, and nothing has changed as far as my medication goes.

Tonight I got to thinking while laying there in bed about ways that I could make money. I thought that I might try my hand at real estate investing and after maybe going over that for 2 hours found myself in front of my computer on a web site called Prosper seriously thinking about applying for a $30,000 personal loan to finance the start up of my newly hatched get rich quick scheme.

At least I'm aware of it this time and as you can see I have some insight into it. That's a first for me. Hopefully, it's just that chili I had for lunch, but I don't think so.

Some people who have experienced mania say that they miss it sometimes after they get treatment. You can get all kinds of shit done, you don't have to sleep, and you have a general state of well being. Unfortunately, the mania turns on most people after a while. They may enter into a state of psychosis or the bottom will drop out and leave them feeling like a shell of their former selves.

I'm the psychotic type and when the mania peeks that's when my schizophrenic symptoms appear. I take a heavy duty dose of an anti-psychotic twice a day to control that, so maybe this time if it is mania it won't be near as bad. I just had an appointment with my psychiatrist today, too, and told him everything was going good for me. :crazy:

[DemExpat]

1. Your last sentence raises a warning, Droopy.

I'm the psychotic type and when the mania peeks that's when my schizophrenic symptoms appear. I take a heavy duty dose of an anti-psychotic twice a day to control that, so maybe this time if it is mania it won't be near as bad. I just had an appointment with my psychiatrist today, too, and told him everything was going good for me.

That maybe while there you were not yet fully aware of how your mood is shifting, and now you are, so I would most definitely get back in touch with him/her and report how you are feeling!

Hope this does not escalate, and well done not acting on the get rich quick scheme.
I can understand how some BP miss manic phases - I often feel like I could USE some of that boundless energy to make up for my opposite state!

:hug:

DemEx

[hermetic]

2. Oh gosh sweetie

If you are still feeling like this I think you should call your psychiatrist and let them know that maybe everything isn't going so good after all. You probably just need a slight adjustment in your meds. You know I've been reading tons of stuff lately about this and everything says that this type of behavior is a clear signal to get in touch with your doctor.

Don't let your illness borrow money. Wanting to go into a new line of work is not necessarily a bad idea but making a middle-of-the-night decision to take out a loan like that is not advisable.

You know that there are people who care about you and want you to be well. And I know that you know exactly what to do in that direction. So please take care of yourself.

:hug:

[hunter]

3. Do you have people you trust looking out for you?

I tend to drift around a bit, and it is the nature of the beast that I don't really see much of it by myself. That failure of insight is probably one of the root causes of my problems and not a symptom of them.

[Droopy]

4. Thanks for your thoughts and concerns everyone

Just got in from work and running a few errands. I feel like I can sleep now. We'll see. If this manic feeling continues I will definitely be making an emergency phone call to my shrink. I take lithium to control the symptoms of the bipolar part of my illness. I guess about a year ago I complained about weight gain and lethargy and my doctor cut the dose of my lithium. I was taking 900 milligrams a day, which is not really a big dose to begin with, and he cut it to 600 mg after I complained. It didn't really make much of a difference as far as my lethargy went so he put me on an anti-depressant as well as the cut in my lithium dose. That could be why I'm feeling this way now. Contrary to what pop culture thinks about bipolar disorder, most people with the illness do not rapid cycle. The cycle may be six months or even a year. I think it's possible that it could even be several years.

Anyway, I will be sure to talk to my doctor if this doesn't prove to be a passing anomaly. Thanks again.

[no name no slogan]

6. I would call your doc

Sometimes an anti-depressant can trigger mania. I've had that happen at least twice. Thankfully since I've been on a larger dose of lithium I haven't had it happen, but it is annoying when it does.

In fact, in Europe they usually don't prescribe anti-ds to bipolar folks because of the risks of triggering a manic episode.

Also, you may want to get bloodwork done to see what the level of lithium is in your system. I know that sometimes when I start feeling a bit manic it's because my lithium level has gotten out of whack.

Good luck

[hedgehog]

5. That third shift can really get to you . I last worked third shift over 2 years ago,

but if I don't get in bed by 9, I'm apt to keep going until I notice it's 1 or 2AM.