Every person with bipolar is different. I can tell when I'm in a downcycle because I have an unbearable ache to be silent--I can't stand hearing the sound of my voice, or seeing any sign of myself in the world--& I'm furious with myself for not just going away & being silent forever.
It passes, & my downcycles used to be much, much worse, but when they come around they carry such history.
The trick is not being angry at all the waste.
Feed gratitude for still being here at all.
@MLClark It doesn't seem to come through in your writing or posts...not that I'm skilled enough to recognize it.
You know, the language of mental health used to use the words "high functioning X" - but that use fell out of vogue a few years ago.
Nonetheless, I was labelled "high functioning" bipolar 2 because I was holding down multiple jobs when I finally got someone to believe it wasn't just general depression (which has a treatment protocol that only worsens bipolar for many).
They would have preferred that I was completely unable to live before taking me seriously. 🙃 So it goes.