How to de-escalate a bi-polar attack?

Question

How to de-escalate a bi-polar attack?

Answer 1

I assume you are talking about when you start getting into the manic phase.  You probably get hypomanic first which feels pretty good.  You can be productive with little sleep, don't need much to ear, feel happy (after being depressed for a while).  But, remember if you have Bipolar I, it will trun into mania and then depression, and if you have Bipolar II, you might have fun being hypomanic but you're going to end up more depressed after that state.  I have bipolar II so most of the time I'm depressed.  These are some of the things I've been told to do if I feel myself start to get hypomanic (I don't guarantee they will work).

1. Get enough sleep - even if you're not tired, try to sleep. I assume since you're diagnosed as bipolar you have meds. If you have something to take to sleep, take it even though you may not want to sleep.

2. Do something you find calming - reading, yoga, breathing exercises, listening to calm music.

3. Eat three healthy meals a day.

4. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and other non-prescribed drugs.

5. Take any medications you have been prescribed exactly as you were instructed to take them.

6. Avoid people or things that you find overstimulating.

7. Exercise regularly.

Hope these help.  They're things I've been told to try but I admit I never have.  Let me know if they work.