Success tips for manic depressives

"urmaaam" For all you manic-depressive types, what tips and tricks do you have to maximize your success through those highs and lows?

Go to the damn doctor. No reason to suffer with that sort of illness.

shaving my pubes for some reason

During the lows, I convince myself that the negativity I’m feeling isn’t real, and if I continue to be productive, and push through, then I’ll have even more momentum when I’m up again. It can sometimes feel very hazy, and like swimming through heavy water if that makes sense. So I try to just ignore all the shit going on in my mind that’s making me feel insane, and focus on my goals. It’s definitely a lot easier said then done, but basically I just try to be way more resistant to negativity, while also being willing to get up close and personal with the illness.

Something else that’s helped me is the idea that if you just fight off the demons in your head, and fight off the feelings of sadness, that’s more than half the battle. Once you conquer your mind, it’s a lot easier to conquer the physical world. Also, I find that just sitting in my thoughts and figuring things out calmly helps. Because it all starts with your mind, and before you make efforts to improve it, nothing else about your mental illness will likely change.

Highs: cocaine Lows: cocaine

had to google what manic depressive meant

now realise that i am suffering from manic depression among adhd and anxiety

I've never been clinically diagnosed with manic depression, but I definitely have a 'rhythm' type personality characteristic of major swings in mood and/or energy.

I try to structure my life (and obviously my day to day) for productivity in avoidance of depressive lows, keep in mind that I'm a student. I set goals for each area of my life (on a month to month basis) and proactively plan out each day, allocating time for studying, working out, hustling on side ventures and ensuring I'm seeing friends / remaining socially active (tend to become more of a recluse during lows). I recognise and celebrate the small successes during a low period, making note of instances where I (i) completed self-prescribed study, (ii) went to the gym and gave it my all etc.. Holding myself accountable and planning my day honestly makes the depressive lows much more manageable.

This is just my meaningless $0.02 as a student who isn't slammed with 70+ hour weeks as a full-time analyst, so of course your mileage may vary. Have to agree with the top comment: avoiding sad music, listening to motivational-esque videos, journaling (recognising successes) and making social engagement a priority is a huge help.

In recovery from mental illness/S.U.D. when I was younger -- the following have been key throughout my academic, personal, and professional life in order to achieve success while maintaining my mental health and quality of life.

• Meditation daily
• 6-7 hours of sleep a night
• some form of exercise daily, whether it be cardio, lifting, or simply bodyweight stuff for 20min in my apartment
• stay accountable to at least one other person throughout the day (for me it's my girlfriend and close friends)
• help at least one person a day (I'm heavily involved in mentoring underclassmen/high school kids so that's my outlet)
• write down a list of what I "won" at that day before going to sleep (ex: A on a final, finishing a paper early, making dinner for me and my gf, new PR on the bench, etc.)
• speak with someone from a similar background (mental health-wise) in the industry (note: this can be tough, but definitely doable -- I found a guy with almost my exact same story who's a VP at a BB in my city, has been mentoring me for awhile now and it's super helpful)

Bipolar folks and I are madly attracted to each other on their upswings and I've lost many dear friends to suicide on their downswings. It was always either them going off their meds or refusing to get a clinical diagnosis. STAY ON YOUR MEDS.

Hats off to you above who are dealing with it so well.,