Difference Between Happy And Manic

[ssw]

So.. Yeah? What's the difference?

How do you know the difference? Is one better than the other? Or is "manic" just use with disorders when you're actually just happy? (Ie: manic depressant - severely depressed with moods going from depression to manic states such as excessive spending money, sexual encounters, racing thoughts, feeling invincible..)

So.. Am I ever actually happy if I'm questioning the difference?
Why don't I already know happiness?

Ah! The joys of being crazy; you think too much and hurt yourself in the end.
(Sorry. I do believe I just shook some of my own fabrication of reality away.. Uh, a realization, another piece to the puzzle if I may.)

 

[Ronin]

Mania isn't happiness. They're not even close.

Excess of energy, jitterness, inability to think straight, thoughts and emotions going in all directions and being way too intense and unmanageable, being completely off filter about what one says, to whom and how, what one does, not being able to put a lid on one's behaviors even when knowing they're excess at the moment, not being able to sleep / rest / calm even when really wanting and needing to, not being able to coordinate one's body...... All of that isn't happiness.

Happiness is a state of being content and satisfied, mania never brings it.

 

[ssw]

You're always so close, Cashew. You nearly are always the first to reply to my threads. And I respect you for that.

How do you.. Fix a manic state? In a therapy sense?

 

[Ronin]

I do believe I just shook some of my own fabrication of reality away

*raised hand with that reminder of 'slower & smoother rather than super fast, if you can do that any'; or: babysteps, also known as take your time for big realizations and processing them* ;)

 

[ssw]

Whew. No shit. Everything gets brighter and you feel suddenly in tune. Hear everything.

You're smart. What's going on? And how the hell do I fix it?

 

[Ronin]

You nearly are always the first to reply to my threads. And I respect you for that.

Thank you. Happy to help.

How do you.. Fix a manic state? In a therapy sense?

Depends the reasons. It may need medication, and qualified professionals are better seen for that.

But in a self help sense? By slowing down, however much possible. Less input. Removing oneself from choices that could well wreck one's life into the future: such as, keeping money very tight if you're inclined to spend, not going to places that are tempting for behaviors you've struggled with in the past, managing co-occuring addictive behaviors if any (included legal substances, coffee intake, drinking, the like) - being with people who won't encourage the mania and if possible can spot it as what it is (pathological, not ooomph wonderful, so much energy & so much creativity & what a wonder of the world!) and will encourage healthy habits.

Also with a lot of pausing and self care. Rigorous self care, at that.

& Keeping in mind just because you feel uplifted? Doesn't mean you are right now. Feelings aren't facts, depression & mania are both bad buddies, for different reasons.

 

[ssw]

I am on medicine (sarcastic Whoo here) but I still experience them. Should I talk to my doctor about upping dosage? I have been on the same for a whole now.

And... What then is "healthy behavior"?

 

[Changing4Best]

I was just in the Hospital with a super manic, caused by two courses of prednisone. I am Bipolar, and this medicine should not be given to bipolar folks. It caused me to be super confused, babbling to myself all night and not able to sleep for 5 days. That is manic!

Happy, on the other hand, is a good feeling. One is please with life and the things happening in it.

This is a huge difference!

 

[Ronin]

I'd tell the doctor how you're still feeling, describe the symptoms in as much detail as you're capable of, let them worry about what to do with the dosage (it may need a change, but in which direction, or if it should be put out entirely, is up to them to decide.)

As to healthy behavior: I tend to think of what keeps you balanced & in touch with you are, living the life as you wish to live with what you've got, one that's enriching your life & isn't harming anyone by it.

 

[Sideways]

Totally shaking my pom poms in support of what @Cashew just said.

Lithium's been a lifesaver for me - it feels like fun at the time, but my mania can be really destructive. I have less episodes on Lithium, and they're much shorter when they do break through.

But *sigh* the balanced, healthy lifestyle remains the most important thing for me. The basic stuff - exercise, nutrition, healthy activities that aren't too 'intense', and being obsessive about good sleep hygiene (especially sleep).

Knowing your triggers and signs that you're becoming elevated, and intervening early can nip it in the bud before you paint the house bright blue and superglue plastic fish all over the walls.

It's a prevention being the best cure situation for me. Meds & prevention. Makes me feel exhausted just thinking about it.

 

[ssw]

Thank you, both.. @Cashew I'll look into both. And thanks for more details, @Ragdoll Circus. I'll work on it... It's just frustrating tht we have easy triggers but everyone else is fine. I hate it.