Bipolar Bi-polar cycle

[recoveringfromptsd]

I usually have winter summer cycles, I am beginning to see the signs of one of cycles beginning, I am a little worried because I don't know what to expect this time around.

 

[EmmaOwl]

I am a little worried because I don't know what to expect

I don't have much advice for you, but I can certainly relate.... I've been diagnosed as Bipolar Type II and my ups-and-downs-and-arounds are completely unpredictable. It is a terribly unsettling way to feel!

I'll give you a piece of advice - I tell this one to myself but I never follow through - maybe you'll have better success? Keep a lot of your mood. Find a tiny little pocket calendar, put it next to your bed, and mark your mood. Beginning and end of day, or middle of day.... Things that you think might be triggering.

Now, this won't apply to everyone here! but I have recently developed PMS signs for the first time in my life :x3: and this situation is encouraging me to finally follow my own advice.

Often, there is no rhyme or reason that I can detect. Sometimes it's chronic pain-related. Sometimes it's how bad were my nightmares the night before (if I slept!) Sometimes it's sleep deprivation. Sometimes it's autoimmune related or depression related or other times more related to anxiety. Sometimes it's all rolled into one confusing ball of garbage.

Wow I'm not making it sound like a good idea, am I? These are all my excuses for not following my own advice. :arghh; I hope you stay more stable than you expect to, but if not, post here and someone will always understand.

It is an EXCELLENT sign that you are catching it early.

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

I already keep a journal, and DBT will require same I am sure, As for the waking dreams (nightmares) they have stopped and I sleep more.

I am hoping that that any mood changes are mild. So far they are.

I have a PRN available (I got the ordered today).

 

[EmmaOwl]

I've been having trouble communicating properly, lately, so I took a look back at my previous comment, and I see I made things more complicated than I originally meant.

I meant keeping notes somewhere small, not as involved as a journal - just to write a word or two, or a plus or minus sign, solely for making a quick observation, determining trends or "swings."

But, it sounds like you are set to go. I'm sorry you're worried.

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

Actually that plus or minus seems like a good thing to put in the journal. Actually though I am able to see these trends, as not only does my mood and energy change, my thoughts change, and most of all my perceptions both by ear and visual change, including distortions, the more distortions the more my symptoms.

The good thing is I am on lithium and wellbutrin, so hopefully my swings will be contained and be mild, I just don't know this time around.

But it is scary to me, as unknowns drive me crazy

 

[recoveringfromptsd]

So far this time all I have seen is the lack of energy, sleeping alot, can't motivate.

The symptom that bothers the most right now is the distortions, and the inability to think.

I got that when I was in full manic at SP.

At least I am not manic....... oops I hope I did not speak to soon.