Fighting Hypomania
Irritable. Hypomanic. Overwhelmed?
Unfortunately, social stimulation triggers and worsens hypomanic symptoms in me.
Upcoming events that may overstimulate me:
- NAMI Provider Education training this weekend. Look forward to learning NAMI’s new 15-hour in-service curriculum, but will need to recuperate.
- International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF) panel discussion next Tuesday. Again, look forward to it and fear how it will affect me.
Parenting Fail
Frustrated with my newly adult 18-year old son who struggles with social anxiety and migraines. Though highly intelligent, he has not completed high school, nor has he taken scheduled high school equivalency tests.
Anxiety. Migraines. Reschedule. Repeat.
Yesterday, he did not go to his scheduled cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) evaluation. The CBT psychologist told me that we must make structured household changes in which we design and implement consequences. As is, he lacks motivation to change.
Self Care
After drafting this post, I went to the pharmacy to fill my clonazepam prescription. I rarely take clonazepam, a benzodiazepine, for it’s a potentially addictive controlled substance. But, today I need it.
Treated myself to chicken enchiladas mole for lunch. I love Olamendi’s mole sauce. Chocolate and spices in the over 50-ingredient sauce help. Magic.
Now, I chill out.
I have an almost 18 year old daughter who struggles with social anxiety, very intelligent, always a Straight A student (without ever even picking up a book) who also has dropped out and not working on getting her GED. It’s frustrating! Just wanted to tell you that you aren’t the only one. Hang in there!
I wish you the best. It’s SO tough, especially when we know that our kids are so bright!
My son did finally take and pass the GED tests this fall. He’s applied to the local community college, so he’s taking steps forward.
Wish you and your daughter the best. Cognitive behavioral therapy is helpful for social anxiety, but now that our “kids” are adults, it’s up to them to get help. Arggh!
Try not to be too hard on yourself. You’re not alone. Thank you for sharing and being transparent. ♡
Thank you, Jaymie.
Yes ma’am. Thank you for spelling my name correctly.
Not easy to do. Spellcheck insisted on changing the spelling,
Naturally. ♡
As a bipolar man, it is nice to have found this blog. I’m,looking to get more involved in the exposure of this disease to so called normal people.
Everyone have a great day, or even an hour or two.
Joseph
Thank you, Joseph.
I have bipolar disorder and two children under 6 years old. I’m always concerned about their future emotional and mental health. I’d love to read about your journey as your son grew and developed anxiety and what you are doing. Thanks for writing this post.
Luckily, I’ve always been responsible when it comes to getting treatment for both myself and my son. That helps, tremendously.
Both sides of our families have anxiety, mood disorders, alcoholism and migraines. Strong genetic component.
Helps to be compassionate — to yourself and to your children. Having insight helps, too. Love is key.
You can be a living mom while living with bipolar. I write of my failures perhaps more than I do of my parenting successes.
My son is a caring and thoughtful young man. His brain is still maturing. I first took him to a child psychologist when he was four and to a child psychiatrist when he was five. When I worked as a psychotherapist, I worked with children and adolescents. There is hope. Treatment helps.
I wish you the best.
You are right to be leery of Clonopin. But it does help with acute anxiety.
Luckily, I rarely have to use it. Usually only when I’ve had caffeine after noon. The Calm app helps me sleep. When my thoughts get in the way of sleep, listening to a Calm app Sleep Story distracts my monkey mind.
I’ve discovered the sound of rain. It helps to quiet the mind.
We could use some rain. I can listen to a recording of racing, though. Thanks for the tip.
[…] via Irritable. Hypomanic. Parenting Fail. — Kitt O’Malley […]
Your post is great. Stay strong. So sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I am glad you are working with your son. It takes time to move forward. Sending you my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong. Keep talking and writing. This is Caroline
Thank you, Caroline.
My wife uses Nesquik chocolate powder when she prepares a bowl of oatmeal for her 95 year old mother. In October 2016, I came to Orange County to participate in the NAMI Walks fundraiser with a stigma busting team. The 5K walk was scheduled to start at 10 am and it was extremely hot. Decided to stay in the shady Pavilion and look after the pet dogs of other team members rather than participate in the walk. Brought along a small sandwich bag of Brookside dark chocolate acai blueberries. It was best to eat them before they melted from the heat. The dogs liked them as well. Was unaware dogs knew chocolate was an antioxidant.
Seems like you are dealing with some serious issues at the moment, but wish you the best being able to stay focused for the IBPF meeting tomorrow. You are such a powerful bipolar mental health advocate on the panel.
🙏 Have a Great Day !!!
Thank you. Enjoyed your gift. Great for carrying my iPad around. Love the Lakota prayer.
👍 Thanks, Kitt. Hope the Great Spirit was with you at this event, Kitt. Do take care.
Without a doubt. There was love there.
Sorry it’s so rough right now, Kitt. My good thoughts are with you. Take good care of yourself, friend. ❤️❤️
Thank you.
I shared with you on Twitter my thoughts. I’m really glad you went to the pharmacy!!
You’re doing the best you can, especially in light of the very recent & enormous loss of your father.
The word “fail” never, never comes to my mind about you and anything you do or don’t do.
I love you, Kitt.
Thank you, Dyane. Love you, too.
It’s probably a result of the hypomania, but I think your short, clipped sentences in this post really explain your mental state. Nicely done, though I hope you can return to stability soon.
Thank you, Cassandra. I will recover. Hopefully, I can pull off the eke day and next Tuesday.