Managing the Ups

Managing the Ups

Recognizing bipolar mania can be difficult, especially if your symptoms are mild. Here's what to look for, and how to keep manic episodes under control.

1. List early warning signs. Most people can't spot their own manic episodes. That's especially true if you suffer from hypomania, where symptoms can be so mild that you may simply feel more revved up than usual. Ask friends or family for signals they've noticed. Talking faster than usual, becoming easily distracted, spouting off grand ideas, and acting on edge are all common.
2. Take your meds. "Not taking medication is a disaster for people with bipolar mania," says neuropsychologist John D. Preston, PsyD., author of Loving Someone With Bipolar Disorder.
3. Get your sleep. Lack of sleep is the number one trigger for manic episodes. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep at night, and get up at the same time every day. Avoid late-night habits like surfing the Internet, which disrupts deep, restful sleep.
4. Know your personal triggers. Holidays, illness, problems at work - even a vacation or other change in schedule can set off manic episodes for some. Learn what situations tend to spell trouble for you, and work with your doctor or therapist to find the best ways to cope.
5. Stay away from harmful substances. Caffeine and alcohol use tends to increase during manic episodes. Both drugs make things worse, partly because they interfere with sleep.
6. Take your illness seriously. Ninety percent of all people who suffer from one manic episode will have another, says David J. Miklowitz, Ph.D., psychology professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Manic episodes can escalate quickly, impairing your judgment-so call your doctor as soon as warning signs appear.