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Spawning Hypomania

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Posted 9/9/2010 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
What do you guys do to head off hypomania?  My relationship can't handle any moods right now.

My sleep is WAY down, getting worse each night.  I'm forcing myself to stay in bed.  Going to make a sleep mask for when I sleep upstairs and been sleeping in the basement too because it is pitch black.  I'm desparate enough to try to take naps during the day!

Sex drive up, appetite down.  Not too worried about these.

But I know all three together are bad news.  After my last mixed episode caused by not getting enough sleep for a month, I'm TERRIFIED of any eleavated mood or lack of sleep.

Any ideas?

Posted 9/9/2010 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Awe, it's really tough aye Tortoise,

Sleep, I make sure I get loads of excercise, and try to really exhaust myself, but then I also take meds to sleep. Inspite of the meds, I can wake within hours, and that's it for sleep. If I do this for a few days, this is a pattern, so I really focus on the excercise.

I hope it sorts it'self out for you really soon.

I don't have Bipolar, so can't really comment on the moods, I joined this site hoping for info on another topic, but it isn't really spoken about alot here, and I kinda just stuck around.

Take care Tort
Posted 9/9/2010 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
hey tortoise,

 

So the key in coping with hypomania is sloooowwwing eveyrthing, especially our minds down. Exercise, either a soothing walk in nature or if you run with music that could help too. You want to try to get your mind to stop racing from thoughts to thougts, so as hard as it is to focus on something that's what we need to try to do. Some people say to "go with it" and do all the high energy things, but for me personally I like the idea of trying to do relaxing, soothing things. I take comfort in the idea of my mind slowing down. Being hypomanic really wears me out.

 

So with sleep...that is tough, but try herbal tea? or aromatherapy for relaxation. Warm bubble baths (not too hot so your heart is pounding LOL) with soothing scents and I take these baths before going to bed...and I light candles and listen to relaxing music...honestly climbing into bed after a bath feeling clean and soothed goes a long way. I also wash my bedding when I am hypomanic (it's using my energy for something productive) but the point of it is to have that awesome clean smelling bed to sleep in at the end of my coping day.

 

I hope some of this helps. The worst symptom for me with hypomania (besides the shopping) is the racing mind and energy (and reduced sleep!)

 

Hugs,

Feel better, slow down, relax..........ah....breathe... (not in that order, LOL)

 

Mogs

Posted 9/9/2010 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there Tort. I agree with the others. Exercise and cleaning help me so much when I'm in those moods. It wear me down enough, that by the end of the day, along with chasing after kids all day, I am exhausted. I do have the same problems with waking up as awty does though. Trazadone helps me sleep, without waking up SO much throughout the night. Mogs has the right idea with a hot bath. Also, warm milk and tea help me to relax a bit. Hope you feel better soon.
Posted 9/9/2010 6:48 PM (GMT 0)

Lindz reminded me of something...

I have insomnia so I have to take something to sleep...I was trying the Seroquel XR which I am still taking, but I've had to go back on the Methoprazine to help me fall asleep and stay there. So I don't know but you might want to look into that? I was on Trazodone for years too............

Posted 9/9/2010 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
I have Seroquel XR and it does make me sleep! But my relationship can't handle that right now. We're OK, but he SERIOUSLY CAN NOT take any more mood stuff or side effects for a while.

I'm thinking of crashing with a friend for a week until the sleepy side effects wear off? Except my friend that would let me do that lives an hour from home. And her kid drives me a little crazy. :)

Do you think the excessive sleepiness would wear off in 3 days? Maybe my fiance could take a day off of work - take a 3-day weekend - and go backpacking?
Posted 9/10/2010 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
I take regular seroquel right now, I've only been on it for nearly a week but it knocks me out. The sleepy side effects haven't worn off yet. I took ambien before and still had trouble going to sleep. I've just added (don't shoot me) phentermine in the mornings. It helps keep me moving and keeps me from feeling like I'm constantly hungry. I swear I've gained close to 20lbs over the summer (stress eating) the phentermine makes me feel a little wired which doesn't suit the condition, but I'm trying to be careful.
Posted 9/10/2010 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
I think I'm OK now. I noticed during my tp appointment that the edgy unstable feeling was fading away. I'm feeling tired tonight! And I was getting hungry, but no sense in eating right before bedtime.

I talked to my fiance about the Seroquel XR and feeling like I need to be on it. He basically said that he thinks I was having placebo effect sleepiness during the day. That IS possible. He suggested that he gives me a pill (my eyes closed) and I don't know whether it is Seroquel XR or a vitamin. That way I won't be affected by a placebo effect. I'm fine with that. If it IS a placebo effect, it would be nice to not have to deal with it. If it isn't, then (hopefully) he won't be frustrated with me for oversleeping. He laughed at my suggestion that I stay with a friend for a week while I adjust to the medication.

I am HAPPY to know what his issue was. I was first not-happy about his placebo effect suggestion, but it makes a lot of sense to me now. I don't want to try it over the weekend while he is home. Especially when there are city-wide thrift sales!!! So Sunday at dinnertime, we'll give it a try.
Posted 9/10/2010 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
I give my credit cards to hubby; try to slow down...I know it's hard but think about the
aftermath...also try to eat 3 balanced meals a day and take a hot bath or shower...and
congrats on being AWARE of your hypo-mania...sometimes that's the hardest thing for me;
to know when I'm way too up. Now that you know...you can work on slowing down.
Posted 9/10/2010 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah - I do struggle with awareness. I got a slap-on-the-wrist from one psychiatrist for "not reporting hypomania" and I'm STILL convinced I was NOT hypomanic. lol :P

I'm within the range of normal today and working on staying there. IT's hard. Mood wants to go up!
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