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1.. Forgiveness
The most important person to forgive during a manic episode is yourself because that is the person making all the mistakes (generally). Trust me, I’ve made some awful mistakes when I was manic including cheating, lying, hurting other people, hurting myself, and trying to end my own life (the ultimate mistake). You have to be as accepting and understanding as my boyfriend who grasps the concept that this is a mental disorder, it isn’t me.
2. Honesty
Last week I was in Baltimore with my boyfriend when I had a manic episode. I really didn’t want to tell anybody because I wanted to deny reality and I was scared my parents and psychiatrist would make me come home. But I also knew I had to tell my psychiatrist so he could prescribe the correct medication. In the end, I called him and he very calmly raised some of my medicines. And it all worked out. You always have to be honest in situations like this particularly with your doctor so they can assign you proper care.
3. The Importance of Sleep
Mania makes it sooooo difficult to sleep and that is one of it’s evils because you need extra sleep when you’re manic. When you’re thoughts are racing and you’re speech is jumbled and everything is going by too fast, too fast, too fast, you probably should be tucked away in bed. This is why psychiatrists generally prescribe sleeping pills like Seroquel to people with bipolar disorder. However, sleeping pills are a double edged sword because that can make you sleep during the day too. It’s really hard to strike the perfect balance.
4. Trust
Trust comes hand in hand with honesty. You have to trust that when you are xhonest with your parents and doctors they won’t immediately lock you up and throw away a key. You are trusting your care with the people close to you when you are vulnerable. You trust they won’t take advantage. You trust they have your best interests at heart. You get the idea.
5. Hope
Manic episodes do resolve themselves…with the proper psychiatric care and support. It may feel like a hole you will never get out of. It can feel discouraging, and it can rapidly accelerate, kind of like quicksand. But there is hope. I promise. After two disastrous episodes, I worried I would never write again. I worried the brain fog would never go away. It did. Brighter days are ahead.
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