Can you prevent a hypomanic episode from developing?

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Hello, is it possible to stop a hypomanic episode in it's tracks when it's 'coming on'. I'm Cyclothymic, and I can often tell when I'm having an episode, but it's usually by the time it's gotten worse. For example, last Autumn when I had the last occurence I only realized it when events had really begun to spiral out of control. I'm currently in the 'normal' state, but I'm worried another episode could come and I'll have to go through the **** all over again. So is there a way I can alleviate an episode while it is in progress? Also, it has to not involve medication as SSRIs worsened my hypomanic symptoms and made me feel 'dead'.

Thanks

therapy will help you to recognize the signs. the first sign I have that something is up is when I feel the urge to spend money like I have money to just throw around.

I agree that therapy helps - i.e. getting help with identifying warning signs. Also, mood-tracking can help alert you to when your mood is starting to spike up.

When I find myself on an upswing, I try and get some decent sleep. This might involve using something like Seroquel to knock me out for a weekend if all else fails - I find that if I get enough sleep, I can stave off a hypomanic episode.

Do you take a mood stabiliser? Perhaps you need one or you may want to change the one you're currently on.

drgreen19
have you ever considered a seasonal timing to your mood changes ?

in the fall daylight is shortening, we are sometime less active, less vitamin D etc.

the elevated mood may be a re-bound from a depressing period starting,. my conditions usually subside around spring, fine in summer, worsens in fall. most of my meltdowns are late fall to february. which is a 3 month period with worse episodes.
have you felt better since april 21st when daylisght start to get on an upswing ?
june 21st the most sunlight
sept 21st starting into the dark of winter...

for northern hemisphere that is.

i take vitamin D, use a full spectrum moodlight, get exercise, watch my eating, etc

also now i am able to plan a trip for mid-winter in a more sunny locale. to break up the dark periods here in wintery canada

"For example, last Autumn when I had the last occurence

I take an Ativan if I need it and it helps wind me down. Smoke weed. Totally gives me the ability to settle myself down the rest of the way.

Smoking weed is known to often make bipolar disorder worse, so don't do that without consulting a doctor. Also, ask your doctor about a low dose of a fast acting antipsychotic to knock down the mania before it really gets started.

when you notice you are not sleeping or spending to much or not eating or wearing 'over the top' things or acting too sexy you are probably 'on the up' do the opposite of what you want to- go to bed early (or lie in bed quietly), eat plenty, dont spend, cut out stimulants(coffee, choc, sugar) and meditate lots.

It works for when you have a downer too, when you notice your sleeping too much and isolating yourself make your self get up in the morning and make yourself go to things.

This stops the brain chemicals making a 'negative circle' and reinforcing themselves and getting worse.

I find the 'calendar' setting on my mobile phone invaluable for setting reminders to eat and sleep and meditate, it rings at the right time so I dont get distracted and forget. It takes discipline to make yourself do the opposite of what you want but I think its very much worth it to stay out of hospital and off horrid tablets.

Is it really? Odd because it's one of the approved ailments in order to get a prescription here. I'd be curious to read what you have on it. Perhaps it's more like any medicine can cause adverse reactions?

Why can't prevention of hypomanic episodes involve medication? The RIGHT medication? SSRIs taken alone, without a mood stabilizer, are notorious for causing (hypo)manic episodes. If you have been officially diagnosed with cyclothymia, you need to talk to a doctor right away about getting on the right medication. Lithium is the most famous medication for bipolar disorder, but it tends to work better in patients who are bipolar I and have classic, textbook "euphoric" mania. Bipolar IIs and cyclothymics tend to do better on one of the anti-convulsant mood stabilizers (i.e. Depakote and Tegretol) and/or one of the atypical anti-psychotics (i.e. Abilify, Geodon, Risperdal, Seroquel, Zyprexa).

Once you are properly medicated, then that is the time to watch for warning signs/symptoms of hypomania as others have suggested. You should keep a daily log of your moods and potential symptoms. You also need to try your best and set up a proper sleep schedule so you get at least a full night's sleep per night. Too little sleep or even something as seemingly innocuous as changing time zones/getting jet lag can cause a person to shift into (hypo)mania.

Also, I do have a question for you about your diagnosis- if you are not currently on medication and you really do have cyclothymia, you should be having consistent episodes of hypomania every 2-3 days, followed by dysthymia (low-level depression) the next 2-3 days. The DSM criteria specifically states that you must have continuous alternating episodes of hypomania and dysthymia for at least two months. If you are not experiencing this, then you should seek a second opinion about your diagnosis. If you're having full-blown depressions and hypomania, with periods of normal (euthymic) mood in between, then you most likely are bipolar II.

Feel free to ask me any questions.

Have you thought about asking your doctor for a "PRN" medication to take when you feel your symptoms coming on. PRN is the fancy language for "as needed".

Like for example a PRN could be Zyprexa 10mg for example. And you would only take it when you know that you are having hypomanic symptoms. You would take it until the symptoms pass and then you go off it when you return to you baseline mood.

This in combination with therapy, to learn to recognize your symptoms work very well together.

I have been able to stave off hypomanic episodes with Chinese herbs. Now I hardly get them anymore.

Raging thoughts like little bugs in my head that have been set a fire.

I have always been able to control it with music.