I (24F) was Dx’d with Bipolar 1 almost 4 years ago after experiencing a manic episode with psychosis and 2 subsequent hospitalizations within a 2 month span. I have not had a manic or manic-psychotic episode since then. I’m on lithium and good about not making lifestyle choices that could agitate my moods.
I’m terrified of experiencing mania again. It derailed my life. Because of this fear, I have a lot of anxiety around potential symptoms of mania. For instance, if I experience one singular night of less sleep and find myself feeling fine the next day, I start freaking out. Or if I’m more irritable than usual, more talkative, more inspired..etc. It’s exhausting to feel like any natural thrill of my life may also need to be flagged as a warning sign.
If you experience anything similar, how do you ground yourself when you notice certain behaviors that may be concerning but may also be “normal”? Are there any particular questions I could ask myself to check-in and gain better insight?