“Cultivating Collaboration in Mania”, 2022-08 ():
Patients who have manic or hypomanic episodes often report that they have some abilities that they do not possess in non-manic states. I personally have a substantial increase in speed of thinking, an ability to think at a much higher abstraction level then when I am in a neutral or depressive state, and a tremendous increase in creativity…When I find myself in a manic state, the desire to harness my perceived increased cognitive abilities instills me with an almost irresistible urge to work day and night without interruption.
When mentioning these increased cognitive abilities to my caregivers, however, they are sometimes quick to refute my belief that I do possess such abilities. With nothing but the best intentions, they fear that I might be experiencing a manic or hypomanic episode and instantly seek to persuade me that, although I believe I possess increased cognitive abilities, I do not actually possess them.
This instant refutation of my abilities leaves me feeling alienated, misunderstood, and obstinate…
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