Hi! I actually just got diagnosed with mild bipolar disorder yesterday, so I'm pretty new to the game. It hasn't been specified yet which type I am (1 or 2), or whether I'm "rapid cycling", but my doctor has said that I spend most of my time in a mixed state. I'm fairly certain I'm rapid cycling, as most of my mood changes occur multiple times in one day. In fact, there have only been one or two instances of a euphoric or depressive state lasting for more than two days.
I must say that mood swings are EXHAUSTING (it's this that led me to seek diagnosis in the first place). I just want to feel stable, throughout the entire day, at least! I often feel both mania and depressive feelings simultaneously, like feeling restless and easily distracted while also not wanting to talk to anyone and having a cycle of negative thoughts in my head. Occasionally, I can actually, I don't know, see or perceive a mood swing coming on. There will usually be no trigger, I'm just sitting when all of a sudden I just feel this wave of sadness come over me and I'm completely powerless to it.
I'm just beginning treatment, so I'm not sure of many good coping strategies yet, but I'm keeping my ears open to advice and for other people in a similar boat as me!
Joined: 11-02-2011