Struggling with manic memories - coping tips?
Hi Ya'll,
Female in mid-life here, diagnosed in the last few years after having a major manic episode, 3 years ago. I was recently hospitalized for another one that happened this year that was really bad. I lost my job, and was conned out of a a lot of money - people took advantage of my manic state, I'm trying to recover my sense of dignity and to trust in myself again. I'm struggling with a major failure, and I get scared by the smallest tasks, let alone major rebuilding steps like finding a job. Ugh. -- Any recovery stories or tips anyone might share? I could use a friend and a kind word. Thank you so much. Hugs for courage <3
@RogueRocks Im returning to you your Hugs for courage <3 as I know it took a lot out of you to share this on an online platform.
Thank you.
Im sorry to hear people have broken your trust
I hope you find it safe to chat online with one of our listeners at 7cups.com/BrowseListeners with someone with direct experience of Bipolar.
Lots of love,
Golden
Hey RogueRocks,
Im sorry that happened to you. Sometimes we fall down but the point is to get up and try again. There will be regrets and struggles with finding yourself but putting in the work to understand yourself better is so important.
I journal a lot and that helps me deal with the scattered feeling and also getting to know myself again. I also heard progressive muscle relaxation meditation is really good. I want to get into that so I do suggest that too. It helps you be in the present moment and alleviate any tension in the body.
As for rebuilding steps, I think it's important to build the foundations first. You can't build a house from the roof down, you have to start with the foundations. Foundations include having a support system (including health care and people you trust). Having a trigger and warning signs chart might help too. Triggers are something that happened that kick-started the manic episode and warning signs are the symptoms you experience. This is so you can catch things.
I hope you find peace 🕊️
Hugs for courage<3
Hi @RogueRocks,
First of all loads of love and light to you! It takes courage to even ask for help and share your mental state so kudos to you, you have done the first major step.
I would suggest the following:
Know that this would happen again and you need to be prepared and not Panick. Calmly sit down and write down how it all went down the last time. As people mentioned- Journaling helps, so do write down your thoughts and organise it.
Watch out for triggers that lead you into mania. Ensure you take your medication and alert your support system that you feel mania is around the corner.
Don’t worry about the loses that happened in that state as long as you Are alive and have not seriously hurt anyone that’s great. Be grateful that you have made it through another cycle and you’ve got another chance to approach this better.
List down the things you are good at that can give you some income and don’t distinguish between small or big. Just try and do some work, go out meet people.
Mania is followed by depression usually so be aware of it and plan your life accordingly.
Reach out to people for help 1:1 listeners are available here. You can hit me up as well.
@RogueRocks I've had memories come back from a manic episode, not easy to deal with. Dignity and.trust you said, that's it!
I went to a kindness path, chat last night. This is the.sort of thing that helped me. Learning to love myself unconditionally, no matter what. I learned to have compassion for myself, pretty hard thing to go through. Very traumatic. I took it easy for about a year.
I do dbt now, dairy card especially, that way I can see if things are changing with me on a.daily basis. Catch it early. So sorry we both had to go through this 😪
Sorry if I am doing wrong kind of support new here!
