Ever since my last manic episode I have been monitoring my symptoms very closely. Sometimes I get worried when I start to see a few signs of hypomania pop up and I have worried about this escalating into a full blown manic episode.
But…I remind myself that as long as I am getting enough rest and taking my medications everything will work out okay.
I have also discovered that after a long period of depression even a return to a normal amount of energy can seem like hypomania. Isn’t it okay to have a little more energy and feel excited about life?
It truly is a challenge to keep the moods in check. But equally it is important to give myself a little leeway and be alright with a little extra energy. I just don’t want to ever end up in a full blown manic episode again, but I don’t want to paralyze myself from living. Finding the balance is what has worked for me.
Because I live with a chronic condition I realize there are going to be those times when I experience some symptoms both manic and depressive. But I refuse to live in fear. I stay on top of my symptoms and manga the illness. If I have a day or two with less sleep than usual I try to monitor it. I think about how much cafeine I am drinking and how much exercise I have had. This all helps me to feel more confident about handling this illness.
Since my schedule has become a bit more demanding I allow for extra time when I can unwind. I am blessed that I can control my schedule to some extent. But if I have too many early mornings in a row I make sure I have a couple of down days to recover.
Hypomania does scare me just a little, but I refuse to let this illness keep me from living a full life. The key for me is to monitor, manage and adapt. It is the best I can do under the circumstances.
Excellent point, Amy. I worry about that myself sometimes. I have to constantly remind myself that enjoying life doesn’t always lead to mania. Living a full life is so important, we can’t let our illness(es) completely run the show. Monitor, manage, adapt…I like the way you phrased that. 🙂
Thank you Susan. I just feel strongly about pushing forward to live a full life. The illness has taken enough from my past. I am not going to let it rob my future.
I like the words you use as the keys to your strategy: Monitor, Manage, Adapt. Three simple words that when acted upon are very powerful. i too, worry sometimes about hypomania but I know I’m doing everything I can to manage my illness. I’ll remember those three words in my “toolbox” and will be using them as a reminder to myself. We can overwhelm ourselves with worry if we don’t trust that we are doing everything that we possibly can. Thanks – good post.
Hi there…thank you for your comment. So glad you found a couple of tips for your toolbox. Sounds like you are doing well. I think as long as you keep hypomania in check there is nothing to fear. Thanks for adding to the discussion.
Hi, How are you? I`d like to ask what do you mean by “down days”
Hi Marcia… I am doing well. I will try to answer your question about “down days.” For me it is like having down time. Like after I am really busy I take time to recover by resting and maybe sleeping a little extra to help me recover. It is just a wellness strategy that I have incorporated to stay healthy. Hope that helps.
Thanks Amy, it helped a lot. I agree with all you wrote in your article.
I find I have to schedule in time to recuperate when I do something that I know will overstimulate me and trigger hypomania.
I am with you Kitt. I need that time to recover. Hope you are doing well. So glad to hear from you.
I’m not doing much reading nowadays. Doing more coloring. Trying to slow down and ingest less mental health content.
I know what you mean. There are times when I have to take a break from too much information on mental health and mental illness. It’s good to take those breaks.