Managing Mania

Managing a manic state is probably the most difficult part of having bipolar illness. I'm currently experiencing mania, cannot sleep at night, wide awake and tons of energy and cant seem to shut my mind off day or night. During the day I'm dragging, irritable, and disinterested in about everything, my home, family, and all the things I love.

But the only way to manage your emotions at this time is to MAKE yourself do the things that you dont want too, and eventually by the end of the day I'm calmer, somewhat more energy, even though I'm still experiencing the irritability.

The situation with my sons depression has triggered my own and the stress is overwhelming at this time. I dont know what to expect at each turn right now. I'm worried sick of loosing my child to his depression, either it be his life, or that he retreats too far inward that I loose the bond we currently have.

But I made myself go outside today and work with the calves in the barn, and the horses, fed the dogs and all, it only takes about 40 minutes to do all the feeding and watering, but its 40 minutes that my mind is off of my troubles and it gave me enough motivation to finish cleaning -most- of the house, okay well just a little bit! But its something and thats a big deal! I resisted the urge to sleep all afternoon, that is a major accomplishment for someone in my condition right now!

When you feel like you cant do anything, have no energy or listless even, what EVER you do, no matter how small the accomplishment it is important to reward yourself even if just to recognize that you didn't cave to the depression all day long, you won a battle, no matter how small, its winning!