Can you direct manic episodes

[pilgrim165]

Are there any tips on how people can direct their manic episodes to a degree. Is there any way to do it, especially at a lower level when i can still function okay. Any hints gladly appreciated, I will try them all...

[paranoid_cataclysm]

Well it's a good idea to avoid triggers especially when you're manic or depressed.  Maybe start a project and try to invest all that extra energy in it.

[toosick13]

I have hypomania, but have learned through therapy to S..L..O..W myself down.  I slow my movements, speech, and try to slow thoughts.  I also listen to music, but don't start out with stuff that hypes me up more.  I go straight to whatever relaxes me.  Something else I discovered works for me is watching my computer slideshow of family pics...lots of my grandkids; diverts my thoughts and relaxes me.  Gardening helps, too.  I can piddle in my garden, also a relaxing activity that helps slow me down.  What you need to try to avoid is starting "projects" that you think you're going to finish...then go to another, and another, etc.  Experiment and find what helps you slow down - movement, speech, thoughts, activity, etc.  Good luck.

[dame_wilbur]

My manias most manifest as potential energy that *has* to be used. Otherwise it's quite painful, physically and mentally. I'm found that deep cleaning the house is a great help. It uses my muscles, and takes the energy and gives it a positive direction to flow.

If I'm in too bad of shape physically to do any physical work (I'm physically disabled with status migrainous) then I've found that listening to different kinds of music can help take the energy away. I start out by listening to things like metal, dance, and anything that has a very driving beat. I then gradually ramp down my music to rock, then soft pop, and then finally new age. It often works. I have several different playlists on my computer for my different levels of mania. If you can create some relatively small playlists, you could store them on your mp3 player, and be able to listen to the music wherever you are, while still doing other things that need to be done.

Good luck and let us know how you're doing,

~Dame

[Charetti]

One of the most important parts of managing it is recognizing it for what it is.  Your mania is part of an illness, an needs to be treated as such.  I dont know what your symptoms are but try to think of it as being like diabetes.  When a diabetic gets sick they know its caused by diabetes and not some other scary unknown.  They treat it, rest, cope, etc until back to normal.  However if the symptoms are endangering you somehow you need to get help.