45. Another reader suggestion
“how can you tell if you are “slipping”? are there warning signs for you?”
Another great question. There are definitely warning signs for me on either end of the bipolar spectrum, but the first one for either tends to be my speech. When I am getting manic, my speech accelerates. It isn’t terribly noticeable at first, I just sound excited, but quickly it goes to a rapidity where everyone is trying to get me to slow down.
When I am getting depressed, my speech slows, because my thoughts are working slower.
Another symptom tends to be my sleep. When I am getting off-balance, I will either start sleeping in excess (depression), or much less (mania).
Finally, good old paranoia is a great symptom that I am about to start cycling rapidly.
I hope this helps.
Another great question. There are definitely warning signs for me on either end of the bipolar spectrum, but the first one for either tends to be my speech. When I am getting manic, my speech accelerates. It isn’t terribly noticeable at first, I just sound excited, but quickly it goes to a rapidity where everyone is trying to get me to slow down.
When I am getting depressed, my speech slows, because my thoughts are working slower.
Another symptom tends to be my sleep. When I am getting off-balance, I will either start sleeping in excess (depression), or much less (mania).
Finally, good old paranoia is a great symptom that I am about to start cycling rapidly.
I hope this helps.