THIS IS NOT GOING TO APPLY TO EVERYONE!!! this is my own personal experience. mental illness isn't a one size fits all, i'm not claiming to be an expert or know what everyone's mania feels like, this is just what i've experienced
increased irritability
increased energy
change in appetite, not feeling hungry for days and then becoming ravenous
frequent sensory overload
oversensitivity
changes in sleep pattern, sleeping only 3-4 hours or shifting to sleeping more during the day and being awake all night
noticeable increase in productivity, that might start out as good, but you notice yourself being hyper fixated and jumping from several different projects
increase in impulsivity
feeling like you've lost control over yourself and your actions
paranoia
intrusive thoughts
nightmares
talking a lot, rambling, going on long rants
a feeling like you're watching yourself on a screen, like someone else took over your body and you're watching from the outside as they live your life
being aware you're making bad choices or that you are being reckless but not caring or being able to stop
dissociation
impulse purchases and reckless spending
reckless driving
impulse to change appearance or alter your image that can feel like a NEED if it isn't done immediately (for me this manifests in my hair, like cutting it or changing the color at 3 am. it also used to be comorbid with my eating disorder, which led to extreme fasting to try and lose weight)
feeling like you can accomplish things you couldn't normally do, feeling powerful, inflated ego and sense of self. i sometimes would think i was invincible and that nothing could hurt me and tried to act on it to prove it
increase in libido
risky sexual behavior
heightened emotions, everything feels larger than life, the highs feel like they'll never end and the lows feel like the end of the world
for myself this was only in extreme cases, but visual or auditory hallucinations. i've only had visual hallucinations a couple times, but when things got really bad, i would hear things that weren't there, or hear people calling me when i was all alone
feeling like thoughts are racing and you can't stop them, feeling like everything is loud and you're being pulled in a million directions
friends and family noticing uncharacteristic behavior, cutting people off, becoming VERY irritable, or showing too much affection in a way that isn't normal for you
and, inevitably, when it ends: The Big Crash. the depressive episode after that knocks you out
prescribe me adderall or i will start cooking meth in my fucking bathroom you fucking psychiatrist
“I’m not crazy- That bitch is!” - Carrie Fisher
(bipolar pride flag by @bipolarings !)
somewhere around 60% of bipolarians are unemployed, and bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability in the world so here is a reminder that youre not alone. your worth is inherent and not linked to how well you can do a job. you have worth because you are alive not because you are able to produce labor for someone else. happy disability pride month to all the bipolarians who don’t or can’t have a job. I’m proud of you.
and for those who do work, 88% of bipolarians surveyed said that bipolar disorder affected their ability to perform at work, so if you work and struggle, here is a reminder that you’re not alone. I recognize the struggles you face, from those caused directly by your illness, to discrimination, to working hard to appear “normal,” your efforts dont go unnoticed. your worth isnt defined by how well you do your job, either. happy disability pride month to all the bipolarians who struggle through their work but still manage to get it done. I’m proud of you, too.
Hi! I’ve been diagnosed with BP2 just today, I will start with the meds tomorrow and I am looking for friendly blogs to follow.
I am new to everything and don't even know what I need but your blog looks nice 🙊 also, what is your propic? Is it a pride flag? Does BP have one?
Looking for advices as someone completely new on the matter! 🙈
welcome to the community! im glad you found my blog helpful and if theres ever anything i can do to help just let me know! As for your questions:
some friendly blogs to follow
@lumberjackloving // @bipolstar // @bxpolar // @bipolarbotany // @bipolarpng // @basicbipolarbitch // @actuallybipolar2 // @hypomania-dreams // @bipolarblueberries // @bipolarbuttercup // @lamiictal // @bipolar2andbpd // @bipolarmoss // @bipolar-type-2-confessions //
and @compassionatereminders, @positiveautistic, and @recoverystuff aren’t bipolar specific but they are my favorite reovery/positivity blogs!
that should get you started!
My profile pic
My profile pic is indeed the flag that I made for Bipolar Disorder! It’s a redesign of a slightly more popular flag which can be found here.
Some Advice
Comply with your meds! If you have a problem, speak to your psychiatrist, don’t just go off of them yourself, it can be dangerous.
Set a regular sleep schedule. sleeping too much or too little can induce or worsen depression or hypomania so going to bed and waking up the same time every day is a good idea.
Try tracking your mood with an app like Daylio or Bearable, that way you can see patterns and swings at a glance
Just like winter can cause depression in people without bipolar, spring can bring hypomania in those with bipolar. Just a heads up since spring is right around the corner
Blue light, the kind of light phones and computers give off, can cause your brain to stop making melatonin, the sleep chemical. That can cause or worsen hypomania during spring time so consider using an app or program designed to block the blue light from around 6pm until you go to bed during springtime.
your symptoms might not look exactly like other people’s symptoms and that is absolutely okay. bipolar presents in different ways for everyone. dont worry about faking or ‘doing it wrong’
make some friends in the community! this community has made me feel a lot better about my diagnosis. its a very welcoming and friendly group of people! Welcome, and congrats on a diagnosis <3
Some disability flags based off of the stripes from the original (@capricorn-0mnikorn) flag! These are intended for each specific/sub community. All colors and such have the same meanings, just narrowed down for each category; The grey stripes were added to represent the grey area of being recognized as disabled, in general society, in a medical sense, or otherwise.
Red - Bodily/Physical Disability
Yellow - Neurodivergent Disability
White - Invisible and/or undiagnosed Disability
Blue - Mental/Emotional Disability
Green - Sensory Disability
Image IDs in captions!
dam…….. that website “you feel like shit” (it’s like a questionnaire / troubleshooting guide for when you feel like shit) really works………………….. im not even all the way thru it and i even half-assed a lot of the suggestions and i already feel loads better
you are so valid!!
your traits/symptoms are valid!!
your experiences are valid!!
self-dx is valid!!
executive dysfunction is valid!!
nonmedicated ppl are valid!!
medicated ppl are valid!!
autistic + ADHD ppl are valid!!
stimming is valid!!
hyperfixations are valid!!
comorbidities are valid!!
all ADHDers are valid and your efforts don’t go unseen!! keep up the great work funky neurodivergent ppl!!!