Mixed episode tips?

Hi...

I am currently in my first mixed episode ever experienced, and it's bad. I usually only get hypomania and depression. This episode is going on a month now, and it's showing no signs of stopping soon. I'm calling friends nightly just to get me through it. I'm desperate for it to end now. I'd highly prefer hypomania or depression over this.

I'm just looking for any tips that help you get through it besides medication. If there's anything that makes it easier at all for you to deal with a mixed episode, I'd love to hear it. I just need something to give me hope right now.

~Angel

So sorry you are feeling rough. "Rough" is a word I could use to describe mixed episodes. I don't have enough awareness at times to recognize them, but boy my close friends and family know! I honestly don't know how to get through any extreme moods without causing emotional damage to my relationships without meds. I wish I could give better advice. Though, you're not alone. I would equate my mixed episodes as raging, hopeless, destructive, desperate moments where I feel I'm dying on the inside and I want to make those in the world around me feel it too. It's awful and very tough on the people I love. Medication is the only thing that has helped mixed, manic, or depressed times in my case. Hope it gets better soon for you.

Exercise usually helps me with the agitation bit. It doesn't solve anything, but it helps. I go for a run or do whatever I can at home. Some people find that cleaning also helps. For me, it has to be something that helps me get rid of the excess energy. What truly helps is meds, but that's not what you're after. I also do puzzles or legos. It helps focus my mind and body, but it doesn't require the sort of concentration I don't have at times like that. I need to keep my mind occupied with something, but it's really hard. Puzzles and legos help.

I'm sorry you're going through this, it's horrible. I hope you can find something that works for you.

1). Try to keep decision making as simple as possible. E.g., instead of saying I'll take a jog- say I will jog from location A to location B. Don't let yourself change your mind.

2). Google "mindfulness" for some exercises you can do to live in the moment.

3). For me- having simple things to focus on- playing Words with Friends and letting yourself put together one word at a time- tried to have the word relate to my mood- gave my brain some time to slow down.