The Alien

[Logy]

Here is an email I sent to my sister today about NM.  Just wanted to share and if anyone has any ideas related to it, would love to listen.

"Talked to Mom.  She was MANIC last night.  It was like she had to get the words out so fast that she barely took a breath.  And she jumped from subject to subject like a jackrabbit.  It was painful to listen to.  I just kept thinking how pitiful she was, what in the world is in her mind that affects her like that.  I always feel guilty that I don't want to talk to her but then when I do talk to her it makes me depressed.  So either way it's a no win situation for me.

This time of year especially is so difficult for all of us.  She always gets much worse.  And then with Easter, Mother's Day and her birthday on top of it, it becomes unbearable and always seems to end in June with some big family blowup.  Makes me wonder if she has something other than narcissism.  Another personality disorder going on.  What makes her so difficult and almost crazy from March to June?  Not just narcissistic, but manic.  I wish I understood her.  But she hides herself, hides any resemblance of her humanity.  I always thought I was the alien.  Now I know it is her.  So how do you deal with an alien?"

[Sealynx]

Its a good letter Logy. My guess about the mania this time of year is just as you say, three things that demand an emotional response too close together. N's have trouble dealing with one. Of course no one ever said you couldn't be N and Manic.

[Gaining Strength]

NPD and bipolar can be comorbid.  Could her mania be the upswing of bi-polar?

[Logy]

Gaining Strength,

I have sometimes wondered about bipolar with NM.  She has had periodic depressive incidents and has taken antidepressants for decades.  But her manic episodes do not involve any self-destructive behaviors.  In fact, she seems to project herself as all-knowing during these times.  However, I do not have alot of knowledge about the disorder so just don't have the knowledge to say for certain.

I looked up bipolar.  She mostly fits in the mixed affective episode.  Depressed, anxious, belligerent, confused, irritable, restless.  She has acknowledged her depression in the past but does not acknowledge any other of the characteristics.  So the N part of her refused to acknowledge any characteristics thought to be socially negative.

I appreciate your comment.  It validates some of my suspicions.  Even though they may be incorrect, at least I am not bizarre for questioning them.

Logy

[Sealynx]

Logy,
Manic episodes may or may not be severely destructive. A friend is diagnosed as bi-polar. He has had some angry outbursts that resulted in problems, but usually he is just inconsiderate and brash. I've found the worst part of this is that he feels high when he is manic. So if you try to settle them down or talk rationally to them, they see it as your trying to make them feel bad and stop the party in their head.
S

[Portia]

I don't think I know anyone who is bipolar. I think I know someone who has the emotional range of a 2 year old. When they want something, they go get it if they can, regardless of any 'social' danger. Combine that with pure obstinacy, wanting to be the centre of the universe, all-powerful etc 'look at me!' and it has looked like mania to me. But I don't believe it,especially when I've been told "oh yes I've had manic episodes. It makes you do outrageous things you wouldn't ordinarily do!". It's being used as an excuse. Don't blame me, blame my mania. In my case, it's just more bullshit. And guess what, it can turned off and on according to what the person wants. That may well not be the case with you Logy.