Early Warning Signs

Over the years I have observed several signs that I am getting sick. If I am slipping into an episode of depression or hypomania I have early warning signals, that, if I notice them, give me the opportunity for early intervention. This can reduce the severity and impact of the mood swing.

General Signs

There are some signs that can indicate both a low or a high coming on. Your signs can be different and in isolation, they are not necessarily signs of illness.

Disturbed Sleep – Very intense dreams and nightmares, often accompanied by night sweats (My partner tells me I talk in my sleep and am very restless when I’m becoming unwell. I also have trouble staying asleep, often waking up at 3am unable to fall asleep again.)
Increasingly Forgetful – Missing appointments, forgetting events and tasks (I struggle to keep up with messages, phone calls and emails.)
Clumsier – Bumping into things, tripping, and dropping things
Overwhelmed Easily by stressful situations, with an increase in hypersensitivity to sensory information.
Sensory Overload happens in everyday situations that are normally manageable
Irritable and quick to Anger
Over Empathising and overly emotional

Signs of Depression approaching

Eyes – look duller than usual (personally I can’t see the difference myself but those close to me can tell me they look duller.)
Handwriting becomes sloppy and harder to read (I have long lazy pen strokes with little definition between letters.)
Sleeping More – Sleeping or wanting to sleep during the day
Aches, Pains, and Heaviness – I start to feel heavy and sore in my muscles and joints (I also have an increasing sense of heaviness to my body, everything feels harder.)
Draining Energy levels
Eating more than usual – comfort eating, craving carbs, fat and sugar
Lack of Motivation to do the things I normally enjoy.
Submissive – my demeanour is generally a lot more passive.

Signs of Hypomania Approaching

Singing ALL the time
Eating less – loss of appetite
Sleeping less – trouble falling and staying asleep
Focus issues – difficulty staying focused on tasks; writing, reading, watching T.V. and listening to others speaking
Socialising more – extra talkative
Increased Substance use and libido (Yes I get extra thirsty…)
Teeth Grinding and jaw tension
Eyes Sparkling (I can see this myself in the mirror)
Multi-tasking – Badly (I find myself trying to do several things at once, and consequently, not achieving anything)
Quick to Anger – easily irritated