Racing thoughts, restlessness, and sleep changes — these signs can mean different things. Here’s how people with bipolar disorder tell them apart. Both anxiety and mania (or hypomania) are common in bipolar disorder, and their overlapping symptoms — such…

Mania may feel good in the moment, but afterward, it can leave you feeling full of regret. Romanticizing mania is never a good thing. Mania Feels Amazing … Mania, in my opinion, has the greatest public relations team in the history of the world. Let me…

It’s easy to love the high of hypomania, but ignoring its risks can lead to dangerous consequences. Although both mania and depression have wreaked havoc in my life, hypomania is my Achilles’ heel when it comes to recovery.  It not only feels…

Sleep is crucial for mood management, but manic energy can make it difficult. Learn how to channel that energy into habits that promote rest. We hear it from our therapists like a broken record: For successful mood management with bipolar disorder, consistent and adequate sleep is of utmost importance. The usual tips are to maintain... The post 6 Tips to Help You Sleep While Manic appeared first on bpHope.com.

Research suggests an association between bipolar disorder and creativity, but the relationship is more complex than it may seem. Key Takeaways Author Virginia Woolf saw her artistry and her mood extremes as being inextricably linked. In a letter to a friend in 1930, she wrote of her “madness” that “in its lava, I still find... The post The Link Between Bipolar Disorder and Creativity appeared first on bpHope.com.

Spring’s longer days and brighter light can raise mania risk, but sleep, structure, and support can help you stay steady. Key Takeaways ___________________ Spring is synonymous with renewal, romance … and, for some people with bipolar disorder, a return of symptoms. “It’s true that my phones do ring a lot in March,” says Chris Aiken,... The post Spring Mania and Bipolar Disorder: How to Protect Your Mood appeared first on bpHope.com.

A candid account of bipolar psychosis, from hallucinations and delusions to the emotional aftermath of diagnosis. Very few people admit to having a psychotic break because they fear others will judge them harshly and see them as unpredictable and dangerous. This looming stigma caused me great fear, and it took me years to talk openly... The post Living Through Bipolar Psychosis Changed How I See Reality appeared first on bpHope.com.

Living with bipolar disorder means facing the pull of hypomania — a state that feels good in the moment but can upend my stability and relationships. Bipolar depression affects my decision-making, especially when it comes to work. Hypomania also influences my choices, and it tends to have a stronger impact on my relationships. Mania, on... The post I Know Hypomania Is Dangerous, but I Still Fall for It appeared first on bpHope.com.

Bipolar dysphoric hypomania can feel agitated, bleak, and confusing. Learn the warning signs and why fast support matters. Key Takeaways ____________ After I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I created and followed a management plan, I take my meds, and I have a good support team. I’ve become an “expert” on this brain-based disorder and... The post What Dysphoric Hypomania Feels Like and How to Recognize the Signs appeared first on bpHope.com.

There’s no denying the allure of hypomania, but there are risks to leaving it untreated. Here’s how to avoid the fallout. Those six projects you’ve been meaning to get to for months? You’re on top of them all — and you have plans for six more. You are…

Does your bipolar mania impact your finances over the holidays? Here are some ways to resist overspending and manage your money. Over the holidays, we shop for gifts, buy food for parties — and don’t forget about getting a new outfit (or two) for those parties. The holiday season can be joyful, merry, and bright,... The post Managing Holiday Impulse Spending and Bipolar Disorder appeared first on bpHope.com.

It’s not about powering through. It’s about avoiding known triggers, protecting your energy, and staying flexible through setbacks. I often feel as if I’ve stepped back in time when I get really sick. I think, How could this happen again? I’ve worked so hard to get where I am! I remember telling this to my... The post Resilience With Bipolar Disorder: It’s Not What You Think appeared first on bpHope.com.

Identifying how mania shows up in your daily life can help you spot early warning signs before a full mood shift takes hold. A diagnosis of bipolar disorder involves mood episodes that vary in intensity and character. Bipolar 1 is defined by at least one manic episode, which can include severe symptoms and sometimes psychosis.... The post Do You Recognize These Signs of Bipolar Mania? appeared first on bpHope.com.

Living with bipolar, I’ve learned to spot euphoric mania early — from energy bursts to hypersexual thoughts and loud music in the car. Euphoric hypomania often knocks on my door. I love it for about two hours — and then I remember that it’s only here to make my life difficult and out of control.... The post Euphoric Mania: Surges, Hypersexual Urges, and Loud Music Too! appeared first on bpHope.com.