what type of maniac episode do i have?

[snowflake24]

I will feel like Superwoman, increased energy and i think I can do anything to being irritable and having a short anger rage all in the same day. Is that one maniac episode? If not any suggestions would be great.

[snowflake24]

Ouch. I'm sorry to hear about your fractured vertebrae. On October 13th 2014 will be two years. I didn't feel right for about six months after I quit. Maybe a little longer. I think I spent years trying to self medicate with my bipolar. I think it is bad because I no longer self medicate to try and feel "normal". I am very grateful and thankful I no longer use opiates. Statistically only about 10% of people that get out of the methadone clinic stay off opiates. That is one of the few things going for me at this point. Thank you for your support. It is nice to know I am not the only one that feels this way. I am so looking forward to see the psychiatrist and have a nice long chat. I think the more I tell the psychiatrist the more they can help me. It is going to be so hard for me to tell the psychiatrist I am a nut case with anger rages. I have never told a professional all my symptoms before, but I have to if I want the medication and/or therapy. I will keep in touch

[weaver71]

I just realized who I was talking to, sorry, I have been in my own whirlwind and found out I have 3 fractured vertebrae yesterday. I have been in a lot of pain and distracted. It does sound like you need a med change. How long have you been off methadone now? I finally feel like my methadone madness is gone, but it took almost 2 years. If I remember right, it has been more than that for you.

[snowflake24]

Yes I see a therapist next week. I understand I need some of my meds eliminated and/or additional meds. I haven't been as maniac the last few days which is good. It is so unpredictable. I recently came to terms that I have a problem and need help. Obviously I can't do it on my own. Thanks for your support

[weaver71]

When I reached a point I felt I needed meds and was willing to take them, I did. If you are scaring yourself, I encourage you to see a psychiatrist, or therapist at least. I prefer those who specialize in CBT, but you gotta start somewhere. I wouldn't try to deal on your own or online only. Do you have a therapist?

[snowflake24]

I just wish I knew what was going on with me. The anger can be set off and I get angry over little things that in no way I should have a rage over it. Then afterwards I feel horrible and depressed about my . I think I need lithium or Depakote.

[weaver71]

I put my anger in the manic zone, not really hypo manic or mixed, but true mania. Hypo mania is when I feel great and things are running smoothe, I seem to be able to make the most of anything. Since my psychotic break a year ago, my mania can be triggered into anger much easier. Rapid thoughts, frustration, high energy. I'm with Bubulous on the mixed states, they are more intense than just anger. It's not one emotion for me. I can be crying and in a rage, ready to tear down the city like Godzilla and suicidal thoughts, it feels psychotic to me, not just angry. I also am BP1, so the word mania to me is a very intense term. It's not just being superman, I can feel possessed or like something else is in control.

Do you have events that trigger you from feeling like superwoman to being angry, or is it just a random event in an otherwise good day?

[Bubulous]

It could be a mixed episode or it could just be regular mania.  I get pretty aggressive when I am manic....at least more than usual.  My mixed episode is more like being on cloud nine then falling into crying depression then panic attacks.  A mixed episode for me is more intense and more dangerous than just regular mania.

[thatquietgirl]

You can be irritable yet have these other symptoms of mania all at once and still just be having one manic episode.  Now, if you were experiencing some of your manic symptoms and some of your depressive symptoms all at once, it would be considered a mixed episode.  You'll want to take up these questions with your psychiatrist and therapist for their clinical significance and what they mean for you.  The sooner you can learn to recognize symptoms, the sooner you can focus on tools to help you through episodes.