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How to handle the swings — catching them early

What to do when you feel a high or a low coming on.

Sleep's dropping, ideas are racing, you feel switched on and unstoppable.

Right now

  • Protect sleep tonight — sleep loss is fuel on a high. No all-nighters.
  • Put a 48-hour rule on big calls — no purchases, no quitting, no signing.
  • Ease right off the grog and anything else — they pour petrol on it.
  • Tell someone you trust to keep an eye on you. Agree the words in advance.

Don't

  • Don't ride it because it feels great — the come-down is the price.

Later

  • Tell your GP or psychiatrist early — catching a high early changes how it goes.

More on this → Bipolar

The swings: the short version

  1. 1.High coming? Protect sleep, 48-hour rule on big calls.
  2. 2.Low rolling in? Basics, don't isolate, keep your meds.
  3. 3.Know your tells — sleep, spending, speed.
  4. 4.Loop in someone who spots it before you do.
  5. 5.Dark? Lifeline 13 11 14. It's the illness lying.
Doing it tough?Call Lifeline 13 11 14