i put the ace in disgrace

So I often see tips for coping with depression and anxiety and sensory issues but I have not seen many tips for dealing with mania. These are some things I find helpful

> if you are having trouble speaking at a pace others can understand say each word twice in your head and only speak on the second time. 

> let it out in private. Go somewhere no one can hear you and shout, speak quickly, shake whatever but let yourself blow off steam every so often so you are less likely to explode on others.

> If you are having problems with staying on task and being distracted set yourself a few tasks i find around 6 is good and just keep swapping between them until you get them all done. 

> channel your energy into something. Art, music, dance, writing, building, walking, running anything constructive to let some of the feelings out. 

> if you have to go to a class take extra paper to scribble on and if possible take breaks. also having something to keep your hands busy can be helpful if you are fidgeting a lot. small puzzles are good.

> I always want to talk A LOT and to everyone so if you are having trouble with social stuff set strict boundaries and remember to continue to check yourself to make sure you aren’t becoming too much for others. 

> try not to feel frustrated with yourself if you need time off or if you cant get things done. 

> If you are having psychotic symptoms try and tell a support person as soon as you can so you can find ways to manage them so they don’t get too out of control.

> if you are having trouble with spending get someone you trust to manage your money for a while and give you an allowance so you don’t over spend. 

> you are allowed to have fun no matter what mood you are in so don’t avoid everything if it isnt going to make things worse. 

> if you are having trouble with hyper sexuality be safe firstly and secondly if you are in a monogamous relationship then please talk to your partner about how you are feeling 

No

Wait

Stop 

(These are full sentences! You do not need to say any more) 

I am not comfortable. 

I am not comfortable, I would like… 

you to wait a moment.

another person in the room. 

everyone else out of the room. 

a doctor/nurse of my same gender to preform this test/procedure. 

the person who came with me to this appointment in the room. 

you to explain everything before you begin. 

you to tell me what you are doing as you go. 

to do this another day. 

I want to get a second opinion before we proceed.

I don’t understand, please repeat that. 

I don’t understand, please explain more simply. 

Please say that slower/spell that, I want to do some research myself.

I would like to talk to [someone in my life, ie my parents to SO] before making this decision. 

No, I do not need to talk to [anyone] before making this decision, I am confidant on my own and am ready to proceed. 

What are the side effects of this medication/procedure? What are the potential complications? 

Why are you recommending/prescribing this specific thing? 

What other treatment options are there? Why are you choosing this?

Would your treatment plan be different if I were a man/woman older/younger had kids, etc? Why are you choosing this one then?

IS there anything I should know about this treatment you have not yet told me?  

I understand you say not to, but If I choose to do X, against medical advice, what risks am I running? (ie taking recreational drugs while on medication)

How much will this cost? 

Are there any less expensive options/tests we can run first? 

Is there a generic of this medication you can prescribe instead?

I think you are not understanding me, I said…

You are not listening to me, please let me finish describing my symptoms. 

You are not understanding how much pain I am in, let me clarify… 

I do not think it is anxiety/depression/my weight/etc, what else could it potentially be? 

I think by assuming it is anxiety/depression/my weight/etc you are ignoring some symptoms. Please listen again and let’s discuss what else it could be. 

Please write in my chart that you are not testing for X and why not. 

I am in enough pain/this is detrimental enough to my life that non-treatment is not an option. If you can not treat this/figure out what is wrong, to whom can you refer me?

Please write (or help me write) a summary of what we did today so I don’t forget 

What are our next steps? 

If [what you are recommending] is ineffective, what would my next steps be? What other doctor should I talk to? 

What is the best way to contact you if I have additional questions or issues? 

“No I would not like to be weighed today.”