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Is there such thing as "good" manic?

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Posted 2/20/2009 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Just wondering.  I see my husband cycling again into becoming Manic (and yes we already have a doc appt) but just curious - is there such thing as a "good" manic?  I mean, he gets up with the kids in the morning, makes their lunches, has the house clean when I get home from work, has his sex drive back, etc... all seemingly positive.  He's not having drug cravings and he says all around he feels good.  BUT  I'm noticing that he's making lists again (a sign) he's taking on a lot of things (a sign) such as making multiple appointments with multiple people (ie, drug counsellor, doc, psychologist, counselling, day hospital all in one week, etc...) plus he's getting WAY ahead of himself (again, a sign) with life.  He's making weird decisions (planning on selling his entire collection and starting a new collection)  So I see it coming and like I said we already have a doctor's appointment on Monday (i got on that one REAL quick).


What do you think?

Posted 2/20/2009 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Well, to me a good mania cycle is when I get the entire house clean, read a whole book in one day, get in touch with friends in one day, clean the car, take the kids to the mall and then the park. To me that is a good manic episode but I also realize that things to come won't be so good. I tend to cycle back into a deep depression not long after that.

So I guess it depends on your point of view.

Hugs,
Missflip
Posted 2/20/2009 6:53 PM (GMT 0)

Hey BD;

Looks like you go through the same kind of stuff that I do when the mania starts. My wife also gets very goal oriented when it gets her. I just posted a reply the other day on a thread started by Markzimmer describing some of her mania episodes. I'm sure I have probably told you some of the stuff she has done, but it's there if you want to read it again. She also gets a very strong sex drive at this time. Funny thing is that it is usaually around this time of year that it starts. She hasn't shown any signs yet though. But to answer your question, to me I think that the mania can be good when it is first starting because it is a nice change from the usual glum, depressed inactive mode that they are in most of the time. But then after it has escalated a little & gets out of hand is when it gets bad. That is usually the point where it starts costing me a lot of money. I know that sounds bad, but it is the sad truth. I can really only think of one episode of mania she has had that didn't end up costing me a few hundred, or in one case a couple thousand.

Posted 2/20/2009 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
My husband does the same at times. He will be the best husband and Dad possible but as Rocketman said afterwards comes the spending costing a lot of financial difficulties. Then to follow is the anger when I bring to his attention that he is getting out of control with his spending. It is a vicious cycle. It almost feels at times as if he is buttering me up for the bad to come.
Posted 2/21/2009 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
Mania is often fun at times when it first starts. I get real creative and have lots of ideas. I get a lot of cleaning done. I write a lot. I have a ton of energy. My daughter is a riot. But it's all with a price. Either real mania sets in or depression does. Hypomania doesn't last long.

serafena
Posted 2/21/2009 3:56 PM (GMT 0)

BD;

Out of curiosity, what kind of lists does he make? Like to do lists, or is it oddball kind of stuff?

Rocket

Posted 2/21/2009 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
just lists. sometimes to do lists, lists of the things he has (his collectibles) lists of stuff he wants, things like that.
Posted 2/23/2009 2:33 PM (GMT 0)

From my experience of being bipolar:

 

All should take notice to this! It's okay for a short time but I hope that the bipolar or their support team can recognize these symptoms and be on the lookout!  It doesn't take too long after this, that things can get blown way out of control.

 

I've had bipolar for a very long time now.  I am very committed and proactive in maintaining my wellness program. That said, I am bipolar and S#%$ happens!

 

I've been through this type of cycle many times and managed to get through it by myself or with a tweak of my medications.

 

Recently, this kind of behavior got me in a lot of trouble and accelerated too far and THIS TIME  it happened VERY RAPIDLY!!!!  I am lucky to be here today, if you know what I mean.  I never thought that with being so proactive in my wellness program, for so long that this could happen to me. 

 

Take nothing for granted.  No matter how well you seem to be doing and how proactive in your wellness program you are, we ARE bipolar.  Another lesson learned for myself.

 

I am now starting the "new cocktail regimen" all over again.

Still "hangin tough"!

Posted 2/23/2009 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone. We saw the doctor today and she upped his meds. I'm so happy that we recognized this early.
Posted 2/24/2009 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
That's great, and that's exactly what you need to do: be vigilant. When you start to see a change in his behavior, let the doc know. That's why it's so important to keep regular visits with the doc. Great news.

serafena
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