Many of you know that agitation and irritation are often symptoms of bipolar disorder. There is a profound difference between spending time with someone who is happy manic verses angry manic. Mania encompasses an array of behaviors and characteristics.
I recently did an interview with Tony Gates on his morning talk show, 1340 AM (www.wjrwam.com). I’m still beating myself up because when Tony asked me to describe bipolar symptoms, I forgot to mention agitation and irritation when we talked about mania. Once I left the station, I wished I had a second chance to clarify his question. I’m agitated just thinking about it.
Here I go again, trying to figure out a solution. I just decided to send Tony an e-mail to thank him for the interview and I’ll clarify it then. Writing about how I feel in this blog entry is helping to melt my frustration. Tony and I had a good conversation about bipolar disorder and I should be focusing on everything that went well during the interview. Readjusting my thinking is working–I feel better already.
Occasionally, my work makes me agitated. I go through periods when I am extremely driven. As a result, I increase my goals and activities necessary to reach them. I have to make a conscious effort to prioritize and methodically complete each task. My stress turns into satisfaction the closer I get to achieving my goals.
Recognizing triggers is an effective way to reduce agitation and other bipolar symptoms. That’s a topic of its own…
