I can't sleep!

[jessiehannan]

I am having a manic episode. I know I need to go to bed, I went to sleep late and got up early, then went back to bed. I have been manic since about 3:30 this afternoon. I hate feeling like the whole world is in slow motion, and that I can't keep up with myself.
I haven't had any caffeine or stimulants of any sort when it started, and I drank some chocolate milk a couple hours into it, the thought of food made me queasy.
I am not upset, angry, or anything like that, it just feels like I have to get all of my chores for the rest of the week done right NOW, and all at once. I can barely type fast enough to keep up with my thoughts.
Any suggestions for calming down? Meditating doesn't work for me, all it does is frustrate me. I am going to take advantage of the energy right now and sweep the carpet since the vaccum died, but I do need to get in bed at a reasonable hour. I have no herbal tea, and it doesn't help anyway. I would take a shower or bath, but the thought of getting wet irritates me. (I am strange I know)

[Lumatiza]

Have you been treated for your manic condition? The best thing is therapy and medication. I used to have a panic disorder and the two together did wonders for me.

Right now you need to calm yourself down by forcing yourself to relax in any way you can. Deep breathing always worked best for me since I stink at meditation also. Resist the urge to keep cleaning or doing things because it fuels the problem. You have to go against what you feel like doing right now. Lie down on your back on your bed or some place comfortable and quiet. Take slow deep breaths in and slowly let them out. Count to ten on the in and 10 on the out. Tell yourself you are going to take 500 breaths like this and if you get to 500 and it doesn't work then you can give up. That's what I always did. I hope it helps. Good luck and remember that your state right now is temporary and it's just a matter of time before you begin to feel more stable.

[jessiehannan]

The medications they tried me on didn't work well enough to live with the side effects, since I don't have them often. I may just have to work myself to exhaustion, the thought of being still makes me want to crawl out of my skin. As long as I am not up for a couople of days straight, I should be ok, for at least tomorrow.

[Lumatiza]

What if you try the deep breathing while you calmly walk around? Try to get progresively slower little by little. It's tough, I can only imagine. I'm sorry you feel like this but work on it, be stubborn, you can do it.

[jessiehannan]

I am doing a quick bit of cleaning, then sitting down for a few minutes, and when I finally get tired, I won't want to get up again. If I didn't have so much that actually does need to be done, I would just lay down and stay there for the couple of hours it takes for me to go to sleep. I might as well make use of the time, and the oppotunity to work w/o kids under foot.
Thanks, though. :)

[Earthmama]

When I get like that, I have to write it all down. Like getting it onto paper releases my brain from putting so much energy & anxiety into it.

Also, I find logic puzzles help me calm my mind a little. Sudoku or online chess or something.

[jessiehannan]

Well, I have cleaned the kids bookshelve and put the books up, swept the kitchen floor, swept the ceiling, dusted the celing fan, swept the entire living room, cleaned out all the junk from under the computer desk, took the vaccum apart to see what was wrong with it(thankfully just a broken belt), and I still want to clean off teh couch and love seat, take off the cushions, sweep them out, sweep the floor again, do dishes, do laundry and mop the kitchen floor, put all the movies in their cases, put them back in the shelf, and then sew some more. There is no way I am going to be able to go to sleep tonight.
Anything that requires concentration keeps me awake,

[Earthmama]

:( :hug:

[babymakes4]

It really sounds like you need to see your doctor. There are lots of different medications can try. Right now it sounds like you need an ativan. Sorry you are dealing with this. :(

[jessiehannan]

I got cold at 3:30 and got in bed to get warm. In the process of getting me and the baby war, I fell asleep. But I did get a lot done, and it was stuff that NEEDED to be done. I am not overly tired today, so I am ok.
I am really not comfortable taking meds for something that only happens three or four times a year, that doesn't negatively impact my help.
I figured out why I had it though, I haven't exercised all week.

[Earthmama]

that makes sense