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Manic Feelings - How to deal with them?

Catherine R

Hi All,

I'm currently experiencing a manic episode as I type this, I get them something like once or twice a month and would like some help/advice - are manic episodes normal for Autism? It's not like what I recognise as an anxiety attack or meltdown. It's where I feel;

  • hyperactive - can't sit still.
  • increased sensitivity - my partner's keyboard sounds are so loud right now compared to usual. Not irritating - just LOUD.
  • I am unable to complete any thoughts - my thoughts become noisy, unorganised, disjointed and/or unclear.
  • Can't decide on what do to next or organise my day like I usually do.
  • Feel uncomfortable, mildly distressed but heart rate is normal and I don't feel panicked or afraid like with anxiety attacks.

And these symptoms can last ALL DAY. Is this just another type of meltdown I'm not yet familiar with?

I'd appreciate suggestions on how to deal with it and stop the uncomfortable feeling. This is what I have attempted with little to no success;

These have worked to deter meltdowns or calm anxiety attacks but they haven't helped with these manic episodes.

  • I gather it's reasonably common in autistic people who have or overlap with ADHD(?)

    I think exercise can help. Doing so much exercise you literally tire yourself out. Sometimes I've gone out in the middle of the night and danced in the road. I appreciate that this will not always be a go-to option.

    Sometimes I'll play upbeat music over and over again until eventually I tire my brain out into a kind of 'enoughness'. Sometimes, it can cause me to overcharge or break down and cry though. So, I'm not sure I'd necessarily recommend this option. Being over-charged can make me say or do exaggerated things, which can weird people out sometimes. 

    I would find it tough to do my writing and editing work when I was going through periods like that. I could never type anywhere near as quick as my thoughts, plus my thoughts were going through non-work thoughts too. I worked freelance and remotely so I got to take breaks for walks, which was handy. I found a 15-20 min walk was kind of useful although I still usually had pretty hyper-driven thoughts/energy after the walk, just maybe a touch less ?

    It's weird how finely balanced we are. Too much energy (in our bodies or minds) is just as debilitating as not enough energy when it comes to working and otherwise being useful/practical.

  • Yes Relaxed and I'm still sussing out a way of dealing with them. I have a 12 point plan which I'm going to try out if (when?) it happens again. Some if them are actual things I need to do, others are just reminders of things which I know are true but I'll have forgotten in the midst of the turmoil.

    I linked mine as a response to a situation that left me feeling vulnerable and exposed. I could only cope when I found a "story" (made some meaning from the situation) instead of a relentless search for information (so I could fully understand the situation and make the "right" decision) - which is my default position on just about anything.

    My sense is when they happen I'm going to have to acknowledge the thoughts/feelings and find some space to ride them out. Russ Harris (author of the happiness trap) talks about a "struggle switch" - meaning we can worsen an experience by trying to avoid what the body is experiencing or the mind is generating. It's still pretty uncomfortable to sit with this stuff and I had to give myself a lot space afterwards to recover - but I think it was better than trying to "stop" the experience (which is a little bit like being told not to think about elephants...... )

  • in reply to Catherine R

    You're welcome. The other thing you could do, which I do when I can't focus, I know it sounds boring but you may as well try it. Is splash cold water on my face, drink a glass of chilled water, and EITHER do star jumps for a few minutes and shake my legs, OR go for a very brisk 15 minute walk, whatever the weather., OR just take several deep breaths of outside air. It seems to set my body back to default Slight smile and helps me focus again. Good luck

  • in reply to NAS71069

    Any advice is welcome so thank you for sharing. I've managed to come down off the manic episode finally (in the last hour) - but if he finds youtube useful in that situation then I guess next time I should just put anything familiar on and leave it on autoplay, see if that works instead of funny videos? Worth a try. Thank you!

  • My son gets this sometimes, he just can't focus or concentrate because he seems hyper sensitive / hyper vigilant. It's usually when he's overwhelmed with thinking about different things, and/or nervous. I just have to reassure him as much as possible that there's nothing to be nervous about and that he doesn't need to put pressure on himself to focus on anything while he feels like that. And to just tell himself he's going to take the rest of the day off and do whatever he wants and not put pressure on himself to do anything he defines as productive. It helps him, but not totally. The best thing he says is deciding to watch YouTube videos on something that are distracting enough to stop him feeling manic, but not so difficult that he has to really focus on. If that helps you? That's all I can say about it sorry. But I hope it gets better for you Slight smile