The lure of mania: achievement and Bipolar Disorder | Thomas Richardson | TEDxSouthamptonUniversity

[@Tapfishmusic]

i was diagnosed with bipolar 1 3 days ago, after my first full blown manic episode. it lasted a week and i was very focused on standup comedy and spreading a message of "peace and love." everyone at my school was onboard with it at first, they just thought i had a brand new attitude for the school year. but by the 4th day i was so manic i was scaring my teachers and they called home. By the 5th day I had no idea where I was or why everyone was "mad at me" (they were just concerned.) i'm now on a mood stabilizer and it's really helping. thank you for this talk it really helped me.

[@johnson42069]

I had what I think retrospectively is perfectly described as brief psychosis for about a month last year and the peace/love/helping people was also a theme for me but I also had really weird irrational fears and thought I was being watched, all while thinking the medical professionals treating me were trying to hurt me in some way to make more money. Needless to say, it was terrible, but I am blessed with an amazing family.

[@mlau1835]

​@@johnson42069 Was there anything that helped you get stable? My sibling is going thru the same kind of thing right now - wants to help people but also thinks they need to suffer or become a sacrifice, thinks there's a conspiracy against them and their doctor wants to keep them down or something. We don't know how to help them realize something is wrong and they need help.

[@p910910]

Dark room therapy has been shown to help. Avoid the sun or bright lights as much as you can while manic. Hope it helps someone ✌️(opposite for depression)

[@valdimarerlendsson6910]

Definitely

[@jhh7185]

So manic episodes can be triggered by sunlight?

[@-joe90]

​@@jhh7185yes

[@owenworks5041]

@@jhh7185 It can be a factor. Probably “amplified” is a better word

[@johnson42069]

@@jhh7185The doctors never gave me a real diagnosis besides mood issue, but I'm pretty sure I was manic for a few weeks and I must say that bright lights were extra irritating for some reason, and i would commonly get distracted from what i was doing and just stare at the ceiling sometimes.

[@acampomft]

Thomas gives me hope that I, too, can work in the field of psychology with a diagnosis of Bipolar. To me, mania is the scariest state, and I try to stay as sane as possible so I don't go manic again and land in the hospital. It has been two years, and while my creativity is not what it was, and I may suffer more from depression, at least I'm not in hospital. That's the last place I ever want to be.

[@literarycompost]

As a largely (by nature) spontaneous person who doesn't like to structure their day outside of work (and in the past University) commitments, I find having a loose plan for what you need to do everyday helpful. As Bipolar is technically a neurological condition hypomania for me if often linked to states of hyper focussing. I agree when you're hypomanic it is by and large an optimal state, but having the courage to put an evening task on your laptop (such as writing your Postgraduate dissertation) to bed at 10pm instead of 1am, or spending half an hour winding down from work so you're not wired and can sleep is important to prevent it from escalating into mania. Over the years I have become my own best critic, whether it comes to a wildly abstract social media post; to pause and think 'will this make sense to the average person?', and after years of not wanting to take meds, sticking with the GP's advice this final time to hopefully taper them off within the next year. I know not everyone has the privilege to not take meds, but often your lifestyle can be dramatically stabilised if you use your willpower to refuse hard/recreational drugs, and limit alcohol (especially when you're low). I think the crucial part to this is communication in the recovery phase of coming off meds, and treating your illness as dormant (there may come a time when you will need them again). I would say mixing benzodiazepines with alcohol is a big no no (speaking from personal experience starting out at University, despite drinking in small doses from 14), where I had severe cognitive memory loss as a result. I would really caution oneself before going on these, I was prescribed them at a young age where I didn't really need it (only the antipsychotic), as they can repress your fight or flight response - a small amount of anxiety is actually beneficial for efficient functioning day to day as it keeps you in an aware state. I don't think enough is said about battling Bipolar through communicative strategies, a monthly or even quarterly (once you become more equipped with coping mechanisms) catch up to keep you ticking over on the straight and narrow. I think the lure of mania is much harder to resist off medication, so unfortunately it requires a hypervigilance over your self-autonomy. I feel aggression in mania is what ultimately puts people off feeding the highs eventually, you become a person entirely different to your natural self.

[@Rhian357]

Not everyone with a mental illness needs or should have medical intervention, that's the individual in care. Medication isn't a one size all, and that's the individual. I lived happily and well with schizoaffective disorder and fybromyalgia and PGAD happily (more than happily) from 10 years old - mainly just hearing voices. My intervention came due to a serious crime by my family: neglect. The loophole my mother knew as a therapist was; if you are homeless or unwanted at home, the psychiatrist has no choice but to section you unfortunately even worsening your condition. He told me I can raise a complaint and should and that he was sorry. And that I might have viral, parasite or brain injury causing schizoaffective disorder. I also had PTSD by then, had chronic fatigue syndrome and had tried an anxiety inducing hallucinogen. But today I'm okay, on benefits in a council flat after she made police put me in a homeless shelter. Having tried to kill me, by neglect. She said always do what makes you happy, and don't look a gift horse in the mouth. I won't mum. I'll leave it to experts like the doctors. Thanks.

[@rachelolsen6492]

This talk was amazing. Thank-you so much for your insight.

[@bipolargamechanger]

Wow I have worked towards the complete inverse of this talk. Mania can be adapted to. I’m glad I never believed these scare tactics. Yes if one goes out and socializes and spreads ideas as if one has embodied and manifested them already, it leads to trouble. If one harvests the information to practice and train gestures in private, like any performer or genius does much work in private, then it’s a different game. I’ve written books and other resources on the opposite perspective. You can master your mania. Thanks for the juxtaposition anyways!

[@dotcassilles1488]

One thing that helps me is to hear someone else who I've shared my story with say "I believe you". I am diagnosed with rapid cycling, treatment resistant bipolar spectrum disorder as well as chronic widespread pain chronic fatigue syndrome and its suspected I have Crohn's disease. My family believes that I am exaggerating and being dramatic, that it's the bipolar talking and that "you aren't as sick as you think". I've been very unwell, vomiting almost every day for two years. In the last 6 months I've lost 5.2 kilograms of weight just from vomiting. I've had to stop taking medications for bipolar and the strong pain killers/ muscle relaxers because my tummy cannot handle them (they come straight back up). I've also cut out gluten because I have been diagnosed with coeliac disease and lactose because of an intolerance. I am now at the point of being scared to eat as so many foods upset my tummy, cause cramps, pain and gas as well as vomiting and diarrhoea. It has taken two years of being so sick to convince my doctor to send me to a gastro doctor. I have about 1 month to wait for the initial consultation then any investigation and treatment. Hopefully by the end of the year I will be able to tolerate taking the psychiatric medications and the medication I need to control the chronic pain and chronic fatigue syndrome I struggle to cope with. In the meantime I am gathering a support team of professionals and friends who believe what I say is happening is reality. I'm also gathering my "health toolbox" of things that help me manage the complicated mess of physical and mental health challenges I face on a daily basis. I spend 90 percent of my time and energy just to manage my daily tasks. The other 5 percent I use to "make myself have fun" as I've learnt that having fun (before I do anything else) fuels me to then mentally and physically get stuff done. I was introduced to meditation, hypnosis and visualisation by my psychiatrist and use these tools daily to help me stay motivated and keep momentum on my bad pain/sad days. Blessings from South Eastern Australia, Dot

[@youngclarkfromthechi]

Yeah mania ain’t nothing to joke about it can go bad quick

[@s-gm]

The answer to make seeking mania less tempting is to show people how you can achieve success and ultimate productivity without needing to experience mania

[@alexandramichelle1493]

You speak as if this isn’t a naturally occurring phenomena and rather a choice…

[@jacobrickayzen2744]

I love this talk. Very interesting

[@merrisol]

That is why in a book "Bipolar for dummies" bipolar 1 is described as " golden Cadillac of mental ilnesses". Thanks to autistic community and introducing us to idea of neuro divergence maybe society will slowdown with trying to cure us and just listen to us.

[@charylliss3741]

I've never been lured by mania I've always feared it because it meant crash and burn.

[@hawks9142]

For context of how strong those feelings are I watched this whole video while manic and the only thing I got from it is to sleep more and to remember that pain actually exists. Good things sure but I am still 1000% convinced mania is a good thing. The fact that the man who struggles with mania is doing a ted talk, something very prestigious, doesnt help his case, it just adds to the laundry list of successful people who are manic.

[@coffeedale]

Are you still experiencing this?

[@hawks9142]

@@coffeedale I'm not manic currently so I now see the reasons why it is a bad thing. It's a very motivating feeling at the time and I am measurably many times more productive and stronger physically but it is uncontrollable and there is always a crash, though it's typically a pretty small one for me, just feeling sleepy, I dont really get the depression that can come after. Basically exactly what the video says lol

[@coffeedale]

​@@hawks9142 ohhh. It seemed like you were talking in the present and I got concerned lol. I'm glad you are doing better and thank you for sharing your experience!

[@hawks9142]

@@coffeedale at the time of the original comment I was talking in the present. I've just came out of it since then

[@coffeedale]

@@hawks9142 Oh. I'm sorry to hear about that then :/ Hope things continue to improve.

[@albinoyak2755]

There's no lure into mania, it either happens or it doesn't and you can't control it... you can also be manic and depressed at the same time called a mixed state, imo thats the most dangerous state, at least for me. That's how you end up self harming big time. I'd also like to add that mania isn't always a good thing, in my personal experiences with my type 1 BP mania is excruciating. All the racing and intrusive thoughts, the ruminating, feeling trapped in my own mind and body without being a le to escape to peace and quite. It's really debilitating and prevents me from getting anything done.

[@millstreetteut7835]

May I ask what helped you in a mixed state? I'm on Lithium and Depakote with limited succes

[@albinoyak2755]

@millstreetteut7835 I also take lithium, sarequil, and visteral.... unfortunately for me though literally nothing works/helps when I'm in a mixed state, I essentially have to let it "run its course". I honestly have just came out of one recently that lasted through the months of November and most of December... in that time I lost my job I've been at for the last 5 years, destroyed my relationship with my now ex fiancé, made an attempt on my life and blew through about $12,000.

[@Felipedino321]

@@millstreetteut7835 going into the shower with very cold water helped me a couple of times, it helps not to hurt me

[@robinhuizing4406]

This comment makes me believe my own diagnosis. Oft. Thanks

[@damianinger5180]

Wow, never met the guy but he seems to know me

[@ChrisOzar]

But what happens when you actually do have a good idea and then it works?

[@7oztee]

I first got mania at 16

[@desireeespinosa3954]

You will be okay if you don't give up.... when you feel low, seek help. I care ❤

[@dionysusapollo]

But it makes me just want to dance, I loose all interest in work and achievement and just want colours and music and sparkly things.

[@bmc1717]

So someone answer this for me… If you’re down…depressed..bored… can you do something risky and use that to kick hypomania back in… Or do you have to come out of the depression have hypomania and then risky behavior starts… Can you break the down cycle by doing something risky?

[@Kaeeebeeeh112]

Doesn’t work like that. You body controls this.

[@sylvesterq04]

I am suspicious that my best friend has been misdiagnosed. Supposedly he is Bipolar Manic Depressive-Schizoaffective. I have never seen him depressed to the point where I thought it was clinical. My best friend is Manic 99% of the time. I'm not sure how to help him but I do know that Lithium Carbonate is a miracle drug. So, can anyone help me here? Is the diagnosis correct? How can we call his disorder manic/depressive when he is never depressed? As I said, my friend has lived with me for more than 12 years and I don't ever remember him being depressed. Seems he has the exact opposite problem, and this is constant.

[@rosebuddelicious8491]

There’s different types of bipolar. He could be type 1 which experience mania more. Some type 1’s almost exclusively experience mania.

[@jakline09]

Wow..never heard of that, I think he is an exceptional case

[@tabithakeep8305]

Manic depressive is just another word for bipolar. I think they used to say manic depressive more but now I usually hear bipolar used. But with Bipolar 1, I believe the minimum diagnosis criteria is 1 manic episode. Whereas Bipolar 2 I think you need a hypomanic and depressive episode to be diagnosed.

[@maurice4140]

I have bipolar 1 I’ve only recently been diagnosed before Covid after a suicide attempt honestly I’m also addicted to drugs and alcohol. I’ve been wondering how long I’ve been bipolar and what was my actions and what was the bipolar I had been reckless since I was 12 I’ve died 7 time clinicaly dead but I alway revived some would say there is something protecting me I think the gods thinks it’s funny are playing with me. I’m not suicidal but if I was to die then better now then later. To me mania probably is the person people like to be around and is more me yes the depression will hit but mania is me and taking meds it’s painful to see how boring I am idk what’s worse to live safe and normal or to die memorable and crazy

[@TheGreatPizzaMasterpiece]

This only has 21,000 views and is almost two years old. Clearly this is not a hot topic lol.

[@Fumoron7336]

Second

[@oneandonlyescaton9927]

First

[@enjoyingthetimes8297]

This man is an agent of the matrix. He provides some good insight into how mania can spiral out of control, but his solution seems unappealing. It seems he’s suggesting that you should accept your life of mediocrity and make sure your dreams aren’t too “unrealistic.” No thanks buddy. He prides himself on pointing out that most people are “average.” Speak for yourself buddy.

[@coffeedale]

What would you rather he said?

[@austinbires6853]

I feel like this guy's weak and crying about not wanting to use his power. 🖕 My mania makes me a demigod in comparison to the average human.

[@gaffneynouveau]

I think strength is a better description than weakness. there is a valuable message here that seems to come from personal experience balanced with research. I though it was helpful look at both sides of the experience. 👍

[@austinbires6853]

Sorry man I was manic lol. But really I am so complexed about my condition. It really does feel like riding a dragon. I use bodybuilding and cage fighting to manage my crazy energy, but I push too hard and am almost always injured. It's a path to the dark side for sure. I don't think I will ever stop.

[@thomaswolf6507]

@@austinbires6853 It's different for everyone. I know being highly intellectual and a fighter has made me feel like the next step in human evolution at times. Other times, I just do something completely insane because I am convinced it is the right course of action. Empowerment with bipolar disorder is vastly misunderstood and underresearched.

[@sylvesterq04]

@@thomaswolf6507 My best friend was diagnosed as Bipolar Manic Depressive-Schizoaffective. I have never seen him depressed beyond what I would consider to be normal. His mania is scary! As a matter of fact, at this very moment I don't know if he is dead or alive, safe or in harm's way. He's on one of his drug binges. I hope he makes it.

[@maskingtables]

Take your pills. You are a narcissistic psycho and you are hurting those around you.

[@freebie808]

Boring af