How does it feel to have bipolar? (+3 Easy coping strategies)
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In this detailed blogpost, we will be explaining how it feels to have bipolar. We will also be mentioning a few coping strategies that you can use if you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
How does it feel to have bipolar?
If you have been diagnosed with bipolar, you might feel the following things,
- You might feel very energetic at times
- You might feel too optimistic and confident
- You might engage in risky behaviors
- You might talk a lot
- You might take part in more creative projects
- You might want to make everyone laugh
- You would not need much sleep
- You might eat a lot more
- You might overspend
- You may get into fights
- Your sex drive may be really high
- You may isolate yourself from others
- You may not be interested in any activity
- You may get annoyed with others
- You may overthink things
- You may experience suicidal ideations
- You may have no hope for the future
You might feel very energetic at times
If you are in the manic phase of bipolar disorder, you might feel highly energetic during this period. You might feel that you have all the energy in the world to do anything. You might even feel that others are actually lagging behind and slowing you down.
You might feel too optimistic and confident
During the manic phase, you might also feel your optimism and your confidence brimming. You might feel that every day starts out on the right note and that nothing can actually go wrong. You might even feel that having this bipolar disorder is a blessing for this optimism and energy.
You might engage in risky behaviors
While it may seem like the manic phase of bipolar disorder is too good to be true, this may not always be so. The manic phase of bipolar disorder may also lead to engaging in risky behaviors. For instance, you might invest in under-performing stocks or quit your job, etc.
You might talk a lot
As the manic episode of bipolar disorder leads to high energy levels, you might experience pressured speech. This is basically you talking really fast and covering any topic under the sun, even if it may not always be relevant to the present context.
You might take part in more creative projects
You might even take active interest in creative projects. You might suddenly have the urge to paint, draw or sculpt and may take on really long projects. Many creative pieces of art have been created in a manic episode.
You might want to make everyone laugh
If you are currently in a manic episode and are at a party, you might easily become the life of the party by making everybody laugh. You might crack more jokes than usual or may even display physical humor to get everyone laughing around you.
You would not need much sleep
Manic episodes can bring you so much energy that you might not have the need for sleep. You might start sleeping for very few hours during the day and still feel that you have enough energy to take on the whole world.
You might eat a lot more
Bipolar disorder, particularly the manic episode can bring on a voracious appetite. You might eat a lot more portions than usual. You might even turn to comfort foods and sugary treats without giving much thought to their actual nutritional information.
You might overspend
Manic phases of bipolar disorder may also make you spend more than what you aim to. You might find yourself shopping for clothes and things which you absolutely do not need. You might also give out money to others without expecting it back.
You may get into fights
Manic phases of bipolar disorder may also lead you to feel extremely violent and aggressive towards others for no reason. You might even start throwing punches at others for very small reasons or perhaps no reason at all.
Your sex drive may be really high
Another thing that you might experience when you are in the manic phase of bipolar disorder is that your sex drive might go really high. You might crave sex all the time and you may also get more physically aggressive in bed.
Bipolar disorder not only consists of manic phases, but even depressive phases. When you are in the depressive phase of bipolar disorder, you can expect to feel the following signs and behaviors,
You may isolate yourself from others
In the depressive phase of your bipolar disorder you might isolate yourself from others, including those whom you really care about. You might avoid any type of social interaction and may continuously keep to yourself for days.
You may not be interested in any activity
You may also not be interested in any activity. This is easily the complete opposite of how you would feel and behave in the manic phase of the disorder. Even relaxing and fun activities sound dull and unpleasant to you.
You may get annoyed with others
You may genuinely get annoyed with other people and how they act and behave. You may also feel that they are judging you for your disorder and that they would have liked you better when you were in your manic phase.
You may overthink things
You may also continuously overthink everything, up to the point where you only see the negative aspects of it. For example, if someone asks you out for coffee, you might think of the transport, the bad coffee, the clothes that you need to iron, etc. You might avoid things more due to this.
You may experience suicidal ideations
Bipolar depression can also lead to suicidal ideations and even suicidal attempts. You might feel that it is better to leave this world than continue living in it. You might also try to harm yourself actively.
In case you have suicidal thoughts or ideations, it is always best to stay with someone you trust. You also need to remember that this depression is just a phase, and soon your mind will go back to a stable plateau or the manic phase where these thoughts will not matter anymore.
You may have no hope for the future
You may also feel that you have absolutely no hope for the future. Nothing in this world may give you any pleasure or seem worth living for. Your career, your family life, your friends, nothing matters anymore.
How to cope if you have bipolar?
If you feel that you indeed have bipolar or have been diagnosed with bipolar, the first thing that you will need to do is to consult with a mental health professional. After the assessment and evaluation, you will be given medications or therapy based on what your doctor sees fit.
When you are undergoing treatment from your doctor, there are numerous things that you can do to cope with your bipolar symptoms, such as,
- Practice meditation and mindfulness activities everyday so that your stress levels remain low. Meditation and mindfulness exercises have been found very useful by those who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
- You can also learn more about your trigger factors so that you can stay away from them or be prepared to cope with them through grounding activities.
- Gather a support system around you. Even during your depressive phases when you don’t feel like talking to anyone, your support system will be able to remind you about your coping tools and provide you emotional support.
Conclusion
In this detailed blogpost, we have explained how it feels to have bipolar. We have also mentioned a few coping strategies that you can use if you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
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Citations
Take Control of Your Bipolar Disorder Today: Get Personalized Therapy with BetterHelp
