#bipolar asks

[allthebipolarknowhow]

I have a question for the bipolar community. I was diagnosed about a week ago. Ive been on a mood stabilizer for 3 years but i thought until now it was just for adhd, and ive only had one episode since being medicated, (a mixed one that landed me in the hospital) What are the little things that people dont always talk about that people should know about having bipolar disorder? What are things that people seem to always get wrong? What do you wish you knew when you were diagnosed? thanks <3 <3

Little things that people don’t always talk about?

Caffeine affects us differently— it can cause or worsen hypo/mania symptoms, especially in large doses. This being said, low caffeine drinks and foods are okay, especially if consumed sparingly.

Sleep is a BIG thing. Too much or not enough can irritate both depression and hypo/mania symptoms. A strict sleep schedule is important. Reducing blue light screens at night, taking melatonin, and generally making sure you get around 8 hours asleep a night is VERY important.

Things people always get wrong?

Bipolar disorder isn’t just mood swings; it’s disorganized thoughts, it’s tunnel vision focus, it’s the inability to stop sleeping, it’s so much more than I can even explain.

Mania isn’t a glorious, productive experience. It’s not. It may seem like that from the outside, or even in the moment, but in reality? It’s not. Mania has many symptoms and consequences. When experiencing hypo/mania, you may forget to eat or sleep because you are so focused. You may not realize your actions have consequences. You may not be able to sit still or focus on one thing. Mania is many, many things. It just depends on you.

Depression isn’t always sleeping and not eating. It can be more than that. It can be lack of pleasure in doing things. It can be cancelling plans with friends because you don’t have the energy. It can be as simple as choosing not to do something because you don’t have enough motivation to do it. And that’s okay.

Things I wish I knew when I was diagnosed?

Bipolar disorder isn’t scary or life-ending. I had always heard horrible things about bipolar disorder, and the media didn’t help. But it’s not what it’s portrayed as.

People who do not have bipolar disorder, or aren’t a doctor who specializes in mental disorders, will get things wrong when they talk about it. You can correct them. You’re allowed to do that.

You aren’t alone. You aren’t, and you shouldn’t let yourself believe that. It will just hurt you in the long run. Find some type of community, support group, or otherwise supportive group. Get involved in it. It will help.

There are many ways that bipolar disorder expresses. You may have delusions and hallucinations, and someone else may not. You might rapid cycle often, while someone else may not. That’s okay.

[allthebipolarknowhow]

Hello! :D I am writing a character who has bipolar disorder but I don't want to misrepresent anybody (especially because I may enter it in a writing contest my city is hosting) so I was wondering if you (or others who see this ask) could describe their life with bipolar disorder? I've read through some media but wanted to listen to personal stories to kinda of get an idea on exactly how I should write them. If not, could you guide me in the right direction?

Hi! Okay so I’ll be honest with you— writing an “accurate” bipolar character really depends on what you want represented in your character, and how you want them to show it through your writing!

Are they medicated? Do they see a therapist/psychiatrist? Are they at a low or a high or are they at a stable mid-point? Do they rapid cycle? What about delusions or hallucinations? Any comorbidies, like anxiety?

I’d be happy to help if you would like to DM me, but really, ever bipolar journey is different, so it just depends on what you feel comfortable with writing and hearing and learning about.

If anyone else would like to reply to this with ideas and stories of your own, feel free!

[allthebipolarknowhow]

Hello!! My doctor is suspecting i have bipolar type ii and I'm very confused. I have mood swings and i was wondering if it's possible to feel sad even when you're hypomanic and full of energy and feeling euphoric. Thank you!!!

Yeah, that’s totally possible— it’s called a mixed episode

(that is, if you are experiencing multiple symptoms of both hypo/mania and depression)

[allthebipolarknowhow]

Hi! I was asking this on a diff blog but then realized it hadn't updated in like seven years so rip me.

I have a friend who has bipolar disorder, and I wanted to learn more about it. I know it features manic episodes where you have low impulse control/dangerously high self esteem and a depressive episode where it's just the opposite. I wonder if there's any more insight I should know when approaching this subject matter?

More specifically, my friend is in this (less than healthy) relationship that they've said they should probably break up with them, but specifically referenced being bipolar, and that the person was "their favorite person rn." Is there a trend of hyperfixating on a specific person when you have bipolar?

If this is too specific, that's alright, I was trying to google some of this stuff but I wasn't finding anything besides general definitions and symptoms. Any insight you could give I would appreciate!

Hello there! I’m so glad your friend has someone like you in their life. <3 you’re a good friend.

To answer your questions, it’s a bit complicated. Please forgive me if I say something wrong; I am not a therapist or doctor. I’m just someone with Bipolar disorder who wants to help.

1.) Knowing about Bipolar disorder

Bipolar mania and depression aren’t just periods of high or low self esteem and high or low impulse control. While those are factors, that’s not all it is.

Bipolar hypo/mania is characterized by periods of unusually high moods, energy, and self esteem, low impulse control, inability to focus or hyperfocusing, difficulties sleeping, possible outbursts of emotions/inability to regulate emotions, racing thoughts, and possible inability to reason out decisions. Hypo/manic episodes typically last a week or more. This is much shorter than a depressive episode.

Bipolar depressions is characterized by low energy, moods, and self esteem, inability to focus, difficulties sleeping, possible eating habit changes, weight gain or loss, loss of interest in activities, and general behavior changes. Depressed episodes typically last a month or more, which is much longer than a hypo/manic episode.

BUT THAT IS NOT ALL.

There are mixed episodes, which means you have characteristics of both depression and mania. Any symptom of mania or depression is possible during mixed episodes, which makes it to be hard to explain what they are and what they feel like.

There is also rapid cycling, which means you switch between manic and depressed states quickly. This is what many people refer to as “swinging”. Rapid cycling is not uncommon, especially in unmedicated people.

Co-morbidities (other disorders that occur with the primary disorder) such as anxiety and ADHD are also common with a bipolar diagnosis

HOWEVER, bipolar disorder looks different on everyone. Talk to your friend about their symptoms and warning signs, if you want to help.

2.) Hyperfixating

Hyperfixations are a part common used terminology in many disorders, namely autism and ADHD.

A hyperfixation is occurs when you become fixate with a topic, piece of media, person, hobby, or thing.

Hyperfixation, however, is different than liking/loving something.

Hyperfixations consume your thoughts, attention, and energy, often times becoming an unhealthy obsession. They may start off as simple curiosity or appreciation, but grow out of control. (Side point— hyperfocusing and hyperfixating are different but very similar things but that’s for another post)

Your friend referring to their partner as their “favorite person rn” is more than likely not a hyperfixation, although it may be just as unhealthy. They probably have found safety or normalcy in their relationship and don’t want the change that would come from breaking up with their partner.

Perhaps talk to them about your concerns and let them explain how they feel and why they are making these choices?

[allthebipolarknowhow]

Hey I think I have bipolar 2 but idk for sure. I spend most of my time in the depressive state but every so often, like every month or every other month I get between a few hours to a few days of "good productivity" where I feel like I need to rip myself out of my skin to get everything done and it kind of scares me but I don't go full-out and buy an entirely new wardrobe. I know the criteria for mania is at least a week and I haven't had that since like high school, so I'm not sure I have it.

Sorry, needed 2 to finish. I know you're not a professional or anything, but do you have any experiences with shorter bursts of mania followed by long bouts of depression or just sort of feeling detached? Thank you so much, I am grateful for your blog!

Hi there fandomtrashkaye! Before I get into my talk, I just wanna say I appreciate you!!!

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Okay, so, yes, I do have experience with shorter burst of hypo/mania! My episodes tend to stay around the day to two day range, but Ive had bouts as long as a week, and as short as a few hours!

I (in my personal experience and opinion) think that it really just depends on what your body can handle at that time!

I also have long depressive episodes following them, and feel detached sometimes (ie, when I disassociate or are REALLY depressed)

But you also have to recognize that everyone is different so what happens and is normal for one person, may not be what happens and is normal for another. Basically, my advice is this:

Talk to a doctor or therapist you trust, that will listen to you. Get their opinion, and their expertise. They may not be able to help very much, or at all even, but it’s a good starting point because they can refer you to others that CAN help you.

I hope this helped, even a little bit. Have a good day!

[allthebipolarknowhow]

hi!! just found out about your blog and I wanted to ask someone who is actually bipolar. I think i might have bipolar type 2 but hypomania is still a blurry concept. idk if I'm just a very excited person who has depressive episodes. I have days where I spend the night awake cause I'm so excited to do something fun or I'm obsessed about something (like cooking), times where I wanna do risky things (but most of the times friends stop me, and I feel reaaally good even if bad things are happening+

Well first off, I’m not a doctor or psychiatrist, so I can’t tell you for sure. Second off, I’m so sorry I didn’t see this sooner, I’ve been out of spoons so I’ve been avoiding looking at this blog.

In my opinion, it definitely sounds like something you should talk to a professional about. It could be hypomania or it could be a sign of other disorders. The hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and mismatch of your emotions towards a troubling conversation definitely points to a needed convo with your doctor/therapist.

Hypomania can present itself in these ways, but I can’t say for sure because Im not a doctor, I’m just someone who cares.

Reaching out to the bipolar community to see our experiences is a great idea though! I encourage you to keep asking questions and learning more until you can get a professional opinion.

[allthebipolarknowhow]

Hi, my name is Katie. I was recently diagnosed Bipolar 2 as well. I was wondering if it is normal to have more depressive episodes than mania/hypo mania. What does hypomania look like for you?

Hi Katie! It is perfectly normal to have more depressive episodes! For some people, depressive episodes are longer and more frequent than hypo/manic episodes, and it isn’t unusual to be apart of that group!

For me, hypomania is not sleeping, becoming restless and unable to focus for long periods of time, and running my mouth. I have more energy and when I find a task I can focus on, it will be all I think about for hours, even days. But, you have to understand, hypomania, and mania for that matter, isn’t the same for everyone. We all have certain symptoms in common, but it isn’t a “must have all these symptoms or it’s not actually hypo/mania” kind of deal.

I hope you’re safe, well, and happy! Please never hesitate to private message or send asks if you have more questions!

[allthebipolarknowhow]

hey I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder 2 but I feel like my therapist may have misdiagnosed me. I do have long depressive episodes but my "hypomania" is nothing like it should be, sure I have more energy but nothing big! I do tend to get more stuff done, last summer I felt good so I redid my whole room and spent around maybe 2 grand, I could go without sleep longer, I think I talk fast regularly, but its not a "I'm on top of the world" feeling. I am in denial or am I right? (sorry)

Well, it could be either one!

If you don’t feel like the diagnosis is correct, you can always get a second opinion, or tell your therapist you aren’t so sure that is a correct diagnosis. Either option is a good start.

Personally, I think it sounds like it could be major depressive disorder or bipolar 2 disorder.

You could also have cyclothymia, which is, for lack of better terming, a milder version of bipolar disorder. I believe it is unlikely however because you described your depressive states as long, and with cyclothymia it is typically shorter, but it is a possibility.

Regardless, I think you should get either a second opinion or talk to your therapist about a possible misdiagnosis. Maybe they are correct and you do have bipolar 2, but if you don’t think they are correct, you are free to doubt it.