I’m Bipolar NOS (more than likely ll), and so my manic episodes are few and far between. But as soon as I start to feel one coming on, it’s the scariest, worst, most uncomfortable feeling in the world. My depressive episodes are terrible, don’t get me wrong. But I suppose they have the benefit of at least being consistent.

I’m having a manic episode right now. I hate this so much. I don’t know what to do because my brain is giving me a thousand different signals and none of them are good. I’ve never learned how to cope with the mania the way that I’ve learned to cope with the depression.

The depression is like drowning. The mania is like manning a ship in the midst of a hurricane. I feel like my skin is on too tight and like my heart is gonna burst through my chest.