Dysphoric Mania

[WendyMay]

Well, I am still suffering from a mixed episode of bipolar. It's been about ten days. A lot of anger, racing thoughts, flashbacks, depression, anxiety, etc. I laid in bed for 4 hours trying to sleep. No Luck. So I am just watching TV. Argh.
Wendy

 

[Laurajayne27]

I hope you feel more peaceful soon Wendy. Sending hugs

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Sorry you are feeling that way Wendy.

 

[WendyMay]

My psychiatrist increased my seroquel and added a mood stabilizer. I STILL can't sleep! This is getting ridiculous! Has anyone else ever gone through this?
Wendy

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

How long as it been since you slept? What have you tried? Did you talk to your doctor and told them you can't sleep?

You may need to think about something more drastic if you can't sleep. Time to call your psychiatrist IMHO.

 

[franciemarnie]

Does the mood stabilizer have any symptoms of sleeplessness?

I could never sleep on Valium, which is a tranquilizer. Drugs effect people differently. (I know a mood stabilizer is not a tranq, just saying chemicals effect people differently.)

I agree though. Call the doc.

 

[WendyMay]

I did call the psych. That's how I got my new THIRD mood stabilizer. It seems to be working a little bit. I have been sleeping, just a lot less than normal, and having insomnia at night. Honestly, if this keeps up, I am going to see if I need hospitalization because it is so severe that my mind thinks about suicide and cutting. (Cutting being a negative coping mechanism that releases endorphins and becomes an addiction to the endorphins.) After noon time, it seems to kick in, I get angrier and angrier until I am in a full rage and have severe anxiety and sleeplessness and so many more symptoms. My psych just said it might take a while to kick in and to take more Seroquel so I can sleep. As most of you know, not sleeping makes mixed episodes and mania worse. I hope this made sense.
Wendy

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

How long have you been seeing this psychiatrist? There are some things I am reading that don't make sense.

With all the doctor's I have seen I don't think any of them would be comfortable letting me just wait it out like you are talking about. Most of my doctor's, I believe, would make me go to the hospital in case I was a danger to myself or somebody else. Which sounds possible in your case becasue you are talking about both suicidal thoughts and rage. You combine that with not being able to sleep, which you are right makes the mania worse...that's a terrible mix and would make you a irrational person and as we all know an irrational person makes poor choices.

Your doctor just sitting back and waiting for your medication 'to kick in'...That's bad. I don't get that.

 

[WendyMay]

Ayesha,

I have known my psychiatrist since I was 19 years old... I am 43 now. He is excellent, and I wouldn't trade him for anything. However, I see your point. I'm wondering if he understands the severity of this episode. I actually don't think I told him of the suicidal thoughts or the rage. I did not leave this out on purpose. I think I was kind of messed up when he called, since he had woken me up for a much-needed nap. I will call him again tomorrow. Thanks so much.

Wendy

 

[Jenfa]

Hey Wendy! Oddly enough, I just went through a similar few weeks with my bipolar. Mine was med-tapering related, but manic is panic any way you slice it. The one thing that got me through until I had some real help (when my meds kicked in) was benedryl and melatonin. Sounds like small potatoes next to seroquel and the like, but the effect is completely different. It's basically a chance to sleep. When we've been up for three, four days in a row, it's so hard to do anything right. I get scared after a while because I have a son whom I have to drive places, and I don't want to drive after being awake that long. But seriously, check with your psych to see if you can take otc benedryl and melatonin (at least 6mg). It will bring a different type of calm to the mania where you might be able to crash and heal a bit from the episode. Good luck!