How does a manic phase end?

Avatar for firstglimpse
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
How does a manic phase end?
4
Fri, 10-28-2005 - 1:06am

Is it like one day somebody turns the light on and you're brought out of darkness?

Do you spiral to a deep depression?

Is it a slow progression?

Can you sort of decide when to end it?

A few people here have told me maybe if I do this or that it will help pull him out of it ... so, is there a flicker of light in the whole process?

I know it's different for everyone, but wonder if there is some commonality to it. I believe I suffered from PPD after my miscarriage. For me it was a slow process, but the end result I was pg again - so I went from selfishness to protectiveness & fear very quickly - but still self-absorbed in many ways. But I don't know if BP is like other types of deep depression.

TIA
Bonnie




"Only when we are sick of our sickness shall we cease to be sick."

~ Lao-Tzu, from The Tao Te Cheng
Avatar for suziq_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 10-28-2005 - 6:42am
i'm sorry....but in my experience..the end of a manic phase isn't pretty.it's not a sudden wakefulness into normalcy.it's most likely a spiral into depression.am i right ladies?
at least for me.
this can be a very dangerous time.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Fri, 10-28-2005 - 9:14am

I don't normally have manic phases like that...i cycle all day long.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Fri, 10-28-2005 - 9:21am

Bonnie, you are correct in guessing that it is different for everyone. That's part of what makes BP so flippin' frustrating. I know for me I've been manic and spiraled into severe depression and on a few occasions I've gone from manic to "normal" (I really don't like that word, thus the quotes).


The one key element to how a phase ends is the one your dh lacks and that's treatment. Without treatment, chances are when the manic phase ends the depression will kick in. But, if you tell him your plans while he is in the manic phase and he becomes depressed, he may be more willing to get help. I've often heard that a BP person is apt to seek help when depressed because they don't like the lows. When they're manic they don't think there's a problem and are loving life.


There are no easy answers with Bipolar. Some here have gone years before finding the right combination of meds that work. It took me just shy of a year after being dx'd. I was one of the lucky ones. I can only say to continue doing what you are with the lawyer and therapist and go from there. Keep trying to get dh into treatment too. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.


Hugs,
Traci

Avatar for momtwofourboys
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 10-28-2005 - 9:43am

That is a hard one to answer. my last long manic episode ended in a crash - big time. life for me came to screeching halt and could not do too much until was stablized. I am lucky in that i know what med works just finding the right dose is hard. when i am on my meds the mania is lessened a lot and so is the depression. Right now should be in deep depression but not. I am stablized.

Jen