Using Mania as a Creative Outlet
By carrie1390
@carrie1390 (157)
United States
July 25, 2009 8:40pm CST
Mania can be one of the most destructive parts of being bipolar. When manic you can spend too much money, do things you'll regret and start projects you'll never finish. Using your manic energy constructively can help curb the intensity of these episodes. For example if you enjoy writing spend this time working on your latest story. I know it's hard to focus when manic, but it's also the best time to get projects done. Another thing I like to do is clean the house. When I'm manic it seems that chores get done that much easier. Learn to recognize when you're manic and channel all that excess energy into something constructive.
2 responses
@NikkiNQ (9)
• United States
26 Jul 09
I've often wondered if maybe I'm bipolar but at a low end or something. I sometimes do things like this describes: spending too much money, doing things I regret (like getting pregnant before I was ready x.x), and starting projects that never get finished. Then I'll have these random high times where I'm just eager to work on a story or can't help but clean the house as quickly as possible. I know you're no psychiatrist (:P), but I know you have a lot of information on bipolar disorder.
@carrie1390 (157)
• United States
26 Jul 09
I don't know I've thought that you were before. You should talk to your psychiatrist about it.
@crysontherocks77 (1273)
• United States
26 Jul 09
We've been trying to determine what is wrong with my mom because she does similar to what you've been describing. She gets signs of depression but the depression pills are not doing what they are supposed to do. They are doing the opposite. She has went for tests and her liver count is high. They have suggested that she might have sleep apnea but I'm not sure. We thought maybe it was bi-polar. It's like she'll have black outs and be wide awake and do her work and then have to go back and redo it because she was getting it wrong. She does patient registraition on computer at Team Health for patient billing.
@carrie1390 (157)
• United States
26 Jul 09
This sounds like bipolar disorder to me. When you're bipolar you don't respond to antidepressants like everyone else. Taking antidepressants without another type of medication such as lithium is WORST possible thing you can do. It triggers mania and rage and can result in the black outs your talking about. Talk to your mother's psychologist about taking lithium, it's been very effective for me.
