feeling normal?

[texannurse]

Hi! I have a question. My psychologist keeps telling me that once I get on an "even keel" I can possibly think about reducing meds or increasing the space between visits to him (weekly at present). Problem is, I have no idea what normal feels like. I have ultra rapid cycling bipolar with mood shifts 2 or 3 times a day at times.
How am I supposed to know if feeling good is normal or hypomanic? I don't even know how it feels to be anywhere near "normal". My moods have been all over the place for years.

I guess my question is, how do you know you are feeling settled and normal?

 

[willmrcd1]

God Bless You,

I don't know if I know what "normal" feels like, but I can tell you that I no longer feel depressed and out of control. There seems to be a balance to my life. Things appear to be right, however, it's not as exciting as it used to be, but I realize that was the manic state in me that I came to embrace as "normal". I pray that when you do feel in control again that you will know without a doubt "normal".

Lord thank you that you have plans to prosper and not to harm your child. Thank you that you are providing your child with medical help and healing. Lord I ask that you will strengthen and continue to bless your child each and every step of this journey. amen.

 

[stacii]

Good question! I can't say that I have the correct answer, but to me, normal is when I react instead of overeact to a situation. Does that make sense? My "normal" is when my emotions are appropriately balanced with whatever situation or decision I am facing. I hope that makes sense. I'll be praying that you not only find your "normal" but also achieve it!

 

[Alive again]

You have received some great answers. For me my level came and is much more upbeat the the old "normal", or at least what I had thought was "normal". I guess I must have tended to the melancholic side all my life and my main symptom when I became severely ill it was with severe depression. My hypomanias did not start until much later in my illness. I still have some ups and downs, but they are manageable. I currently see my doc about once a month an do need to up my meds with stress and when they begin to sedate me, I know I can go down again. May God grant you a swift journey to your level stage! Blessings and prayers!!!

 

[texannurse]

Thanks everyone! Your answers are a good start to help me find that "normal" place that I want to be in.

Stacci - I can totally relate to the extreme reactions to things. I usually react to most things as a 10 on a 1-10 scale, esp once I am already down. Slumps come and go, fast and heavy, followed by periods of hypomania - all within the same day!

In Him, TN

 

[spdnet75]

texannurse, there is no such thing as normal because we, as Human Beings are all so different and are not qualified to determine what "Normal" is.

The events of one of my days that make me feel great and pleased might make you feel miserable.

For me, My Mother, my Sisters and a dear friend are all familiar with my behaviors. If one of them senses that I am becoming Manic or that I am extraordinarily deppressed, they let me know in a non-confrontational way. (The people around you see all of those parts of you that you are not able to see.)

I think that what has been suggested to you by our friends here is that you will just understand when you are feeling what is normal and productive about you.

Stephen

 

[berry2000]

I think you will know when it comes. That is what happened for me...it's a little scary feeling normal. I still have mood swings but they are minimal and you will find they grow shorter and there are longer gaps between them and they are less intense.

I really think you will know. If you don't feel it yet then you probably just aren't there.

Just my 2 cents hope it helps.