A Month of Full-Blown Mania in Italy: The Agony and the Ecstasy

This video is about my study abroad trip in Italy while in the throes of full-blown mania. It was 2001. I was young, dumb, and not properly medicated. 💔
I should NEVER have gone on this trip. Hardship and hi-jinks ensue.
Maybe you can relate to this experience or learn from my past mistakes. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
VIDEO REFERENCED
My FIRST Full-Blown Manic Episode | Bipolar Diagnosis Story | Psychosis
• My FIRST Full-Blown Ma...
-Jess
💻 Blog: ourbipolar.com
💚 Instagram: / ourbipolar
👋🏼 Facebook: / ourbipolar

[@trixiestreatstreasuresfoxannva]

Thank you for having the courage to share this difficult time

[@Moss-Teigh]

Travel is always a challenge with any health condition. I adore traveling, but have definitely learned to respect the fact that I have bipolar when I do travel. I had a psychotic mixed episode brought on by a sleepless red eye once. Thank you for sharing your experience and raising awareness of the importance of considering our mental health when we travel. ❤

[@ourbipolar]

Ugh the plane rides to Europe can be so tough on those of us with bipolar. ❤️ I have traveled overseas successfully since this trip. Lots of planning was involved. I still didn’t sleep on the redeye but had proper meds. 👍🏼

[@keithbieberly6445]

"It was an experience" From your story, that sounds like an understatement. Sorry to hear about your troubles, but you got through it.

[@ourbipolar]

I got through it, but I should have stayed home. I’ve learned a lot about bipolar since then. 🙌🏼

[@Thomas-sl9vx]

I have bipolar 1 with psychotic features and I also unfortunately went on a trip before i was on the right meds (my doctor thought i only had OCD so i was on lexapro only. Yikes). My family and I went to Arizona when I was 20 and it was one of the most traumatizing, embarrassing periods of my life. I just remember being so paranoid and having "revelations" about how people work. I thought the hotel staff was out to get me and I started to freak out my family members. I had to scream into a pillow in the hotel room because I felt like I couldn't go on, and my family stood there watching me, horrified. I can definitely relate about what you said about feeling overstimulated. That's exactly how it was being on antidepressants. Anyway, thanks for sharing, I really like your content its very relatable.

[@ourbipolar]

I’m so sorry that happened. I understand. I went on a family trip after my bipolar diagnosis but before Italy. This time I was in severe depression. Terrible in a different way. I saw all the beauty of El Capitan in Yosemite and felt absolutely nothing. It was surreal. Thanks for commenting. Don’t be a stranger. ❤️

[@samanthawilliams2943]

I resonate so much with your story ❤❤❤ thank you for sharing and hope you are having a lovely Sunday ☺️✨💫

[@ourbipolar]

I’m so glad. You’re welcome. Pretty great Sunday. I hope yours is too.

[@user-xv9ks5le6w]

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

[@ourbipolar]

Thanks for watching and commenting ❤️

[@angelaarmstrong9430]

Thank you for sharing your story, your Amazing!!!

[@ourbipolar]

❤️❤️❤️

[@WWS322]

Good to see you. I was wondering where you were! I have depression and occasional mania and take a low dose of lexapro. I would like to do a channel and think I have good ideas to share but I don't like the way my eyes look. I'm kind of zombiefied. I thought I'd get a discussion about whether people who have extreme psychosis can read and enjoy a book. I don't think it's possible. I lost my love of reading slowly over several decades and feel fortunate I can play a musical instrument. I am learning to draw too. I can write a simple letter and I use snail mail. That gets me to thinking. Overall I'm doing well and only on low doses of two medications. I think exercise is the best thing I can do for myself but sadly it is not my top priority, which is unreasonable.

[@ourbipolar]

I’m still here! I’d love to check out your channel if you decide to do it. We need more bipolar creators. Glad you’re doing well overall. ❤️

[@BipolarPerson]

HEY Jess!! When you say full blown mania what does that look like without psychosis? I've only ever experienced hypomania and psychosis or I don't know... but I think only psychosis and hypomania. Traveling over time zones is so scary...

[@ourbipolar]

I’ve had full-blown mania with and without psychosis. For me psychosis is an add-on to these mania symptoms, usually based on how little sleep I’m getting: -greatly decreased need for sleep -much more talkative than usual with pressured speech -ultra racing thoughts that cause headaches -higher energy -grandiosity -distractibility -risky behavior (putting myself or others in danger) -spending lots of money I’m sure I left out symptoms. Anyone can add more to the list.

[@lenajazuk4231]

What were you doing during mania? Being loud, talking a lot? Could you give an example, please?

[@ourbipolar]

A lot of it was internal like the racing thoughts and all the grandiosity and ideas. Outwardly I was very talkative and interrupting a lot. I couldn’t stay on one topic and jumped around constantly. I was also doing ballet (very poorly) throughout Italy, as I mentioned in the video.