Bipolar Disorder & Hair Care

[SmilingElephant]

This is a question for those of us who actually have this illness and aren't scared to talk about it.

I want to know.....do you find when you are in a negative mood (Manic and aggressive or Depressed...irritatable....whatnot)....do you find that caring for your hair puts you in a positive mood (hypomania...manic and happy?)??

Because i've been in a negative mood lately trying to turn it back to positive but i just keep getting triggered and stressed out and i want to pull my hair out of my head!!....But i'm wanting to co-wash my hair to help me to not snap on ppl.

Do any more of us do this??

 

[Janet']

What a GREAT thread...I do not suffer with the disorder, however I am working on my Ph.D in Counseling Studies, so this is very close to my heart...Thinking of doing my dissertation on this subject....

 

[Ms.London]

Yes i do...tending to my hair calms me in ways everything else cannot!

 

[CurliDiva]

One of my friends let all personal hygiene slip (she's white and will stop washing her hair which is not a good look) when she medication is off. This is the same friend I wrote about who pee'd in the dressing room at Talbot while out shopping. I guess depends on the severity of a person's condition, but just a deep conditioning session is not going correct her behavior during these times.

 

[BEAUTYU2U]

Interesting thread. Thanks, OP. My brother has bipolar disorder so I wonder if hair care would be soothing for a man, as it would for a woman.

 

[NikkiQ]

I do have to agree that when I'm in an aggrivated or depressed stage, my hair tends to be the only thing that can calm me down. But at times, I can become so depressed that I do not care about my hair at all. Sometimes I have to force myself to even begin to wash it, but the second I do...I can feel my worries sorta wash away.

 

[SmilingElephant]

One of my friends let all personal hygiene slip (she's white and will stop washing her hair which is not a good look) when she medication is off. This is the same friend I wrote about who pee'd in the dressing room at Talbot while out shopping. I guess depends on the severity of a person's condition, but just a deep conditioning session is not going correct her behavior during these times.

Yeah...its important to take your meds....even though some days its just hard. I hate feeling dependent on a pill to keep me from getting beside myself

Sometimes i have moments where i just don't care some days i walk out the house and do nothing to myself...but it all come with the territory....but like you said it depends on the severity.....i don't wann know how severe i can get personally bc i've had days where i COULD NOT STOP crying and i was trying to put on clothes and clean up to feel better and it just wasnt happenin so i cried until i fell back asleep.

But....i think i'm gonna go ahead and wash my hair....besides i have the next 2 days off from work. I always look forward to off days...less triggers

 

[SmilingElephant]

Interesting thread. Thanks, OP. My brother has bipolar disorder so I wonder if hair care would be soothing for a man, as it would for a woman.

You should suggest it to him...get him a nice soft brush or something

 

[BEAUTYU2U]

You should suggest it to him...get him a nice soft brush or something

Thank you! He has dreads now though. He's always been kind of hair conscious but I think he found something that suits him. Low maintenance, less conforming.

 

[Lynnerie]

Good thread. I dont have any conditions but I can see how doing your hair can be therapeutic because its something that you care about and it interests you. I hope you feel better.

 

[SmilingElephant]

I'm just wondering if it throws you back into like a hypomanic episode....ever?.....i never notice...i just know at the time it feels good.

 

[silenttullip]

I don't have the condition but my heart goes out to those who do you're all amazing and I know how hard it can be, a girl I know died with it. But as for hair care changing mood I thought about this last night. My scalp was driving me crazy and felt yucky SO said I was walking around looking *all defeated* so I washed, protein, and dc'ed. After that I was fine he was like *all it takes is doing your hair to change your mood wow*. I'm not trying to throw off the thread but I wonder the same about decorating your room or office in soft but bright colors not loud cause I know reds and other colors can be triggers but I mean whites, soft pinks, blues, light but not bright greens etc. I think it may help because I had a grayish blue bedset and got a new one that was white with pretty twister print circles on it almost. It changed my mood and I wake up feeling better so that may help too.

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

I'm just wondering if it throws you back into like a hypomanic episode....ever?.....i never notice...i just know at the time it feels good.

Yes, it does. I get obsessed about it and the product junkyism goes way up when I have a hypomanic episode. It's to the point where I have no credit cards or bank accounts in my name. My husband holds it all.

 

[SmilingElephant]

I don't have the condition but my heart goes out to those who do you're all amazing and I know how hard it can be, a girl I know died with it. But as for hair care changing mood I thought about this last night. My scalp was driving me crazy and felt yucky SO said I was walking around looking *all defeated* so I washed, protein, and dc'ed. After that I was fine he was like *all it takes is doing your hair to change your mood wow*. I'm not trying to throw off the thread but I wonder the same about decorating your room or office in soft but bright colors not loud cause I know reds and other colors can be triggers but I mean whites, soft pinks, blues, light but not bright greens etc. I think it may help because I had a grayish blue bedset and got a new one that was white with pretty twister print circles on it almost. It changed my mood and I wake up feeling better so that may help too.

True...like my favorite colors are pink and yellow...but my room is decorated in blue and browns to help me stay calm most of the time. Too many loud colors throw me into mania.....and too many mute colors make me depressed...i can't STAND white walls...but for the first time in my life the walls in my room are white and this is the house where i've been the most depressed come to think of it...i wanted my dad to paint at least one wall a nice shade of blue/turquoise......but we're getting off topic.....HAIR!

 

[SmilingElephant]

Yes, it does. I get obsessed about it and the product junkyism goes way up when I have a hypomanic episode. It's to the point where I have no credit cards or bank accounts in my name. My husband holds it all.

Me too!! But i try to have self control and tell myself to only buy no more than 2-4 products per paycheck. And then i go buy clothes and jewelry and shoes and body lotions and stuff for my car

ETA:...so i guess it does make me hypomanic?....hmmmmm.....

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

Me too!! But i try to have self control and tell myself to only buy no more than 2-4 products per paycheck. And then i go buy clothes and jewelry and shoes and body lotions and stuff for my car

You should've seen my makeup phase. It was ridiculous. I have tons of lip gloss! That's why it was so important for me to find a really good reggie to follow through. It has helped!

 

[SmilingElephant]

You should've seen my makeup phase. It was ridiculous. I have tons of lip gloss! That's why it was so important for me to find a really good reggie to follow through. It has helped!

Lol!! Now my thing is jewelry. And makeup..but i'm becoming obsessed with earrings....and sunglasses...which i like to collect....if i like em i buy em if i got it to get em...nah mean?

 

[Bb92]

I don't any disorder but whenever I am in a bad mood thinking about my hair puts me in an even worse mood because I get annoyed at how slowly hair grows.

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

Lol!! Now my thing is jewelry. And makeup..but i'm becoming obsessed with earrings....and sunglasses...which i like to collect....if i like em i buy em if i got it to get em...nah mean?

I totally get you! My thing is hair tools and accessories (e.g. rollers, head bands and so on).

 

[ckisland]

I'm bipolar, predominately manic, and when I go through one of my episodes I'll obsess about my hair/ hair in general even more than normal . This is when I'll go through the "change my hair style 3 times a day" phase . Also the online shopping for hair products gets so out of hand. When I have money, my roommate takes my card from me and actually has to hide it from me now erplexed. My hair has definitely become a source of major comfort for me and that's why I treat her so good .

 

[SmilingElephant]

I'm bipolar, predominately manic, and when I go through one of my episodes I'll obsess about my hair/ hair in general even more than normal . This is when I'll go through the "change my hair style 3 times a day" phase . Also the online shopping for hair products gets so out of hand. When I have money, my roommate takes my card from me and actually has to hide it from me now erplexed. My hair has definitely become a source of major comfort for me and that's why I treat her so good .

So there IS a such thing as being mostly manic!! Because i am and i was tryin to tell my doctor that but she gave me an anti depressant to go with my seroquel xr!!!erplexed....i haven't been takin it bc i'm TERRIFIED of ADs after what i went through with prozac

 

[8HoursFromHome]

When I'm manic, I'll exercise and take care of myself like I'm supposed to but in a depression, NOTHING matters. I've even had bouts of pulling at my hair which breaks it off, not good at all. I've been unmedicated for sometime now, I will use some naturals but nothing really takes the edge off like a pharmaceutical...

 

[SmilingElephant]

I find the meds i'm on just make me sleep. If i don't take them i DO NOT sleep and i went a whole month without them one time back in January or February for reasons out of my control....i didn't sleep for a whole month....i had just been diagnosed Bipolar and had been switched to my new meds...samples....and i ran out..and the doctor also ran out..so i had no meds for a whole month thanx to Astra Zeneca taking millenniums to send me my pills....i just got a refill from them today...they have REALLY improved!....but that was a really hard month....it was HORRIFYING!!! Im surprised i didnt end up in a hospital

As long as i get my sleep and i'm eating i'm doing pretty good....its just the meds keep me from freaking out and shaking and crying uncontrollably and so forth...but this is another reason why i'm transitioning to natural....just too many chemicals everywhere!!

 

[jupitermoon]

I have nothing to add to this thread except I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well. I hope you feel better. I can totally relate to feeling down and just not caring. I find that lately hair toys have been making me feel better. I can really splurge at times in an attempt to make myself feel better. Please take care.

 

[SmilingElephant]

^^Thanx Celina.....you're going to make me go all broke and stuff as soon as i get paid this weekend!!! ....

P.S.....where did you buy those sticks you're wearing in your siggy?? I love stuff like that!!

 

[jupitermoon]

^^Thanx Celina.....you're going to make me go all broke and stuff as soon as i get paid this weekend!!! ....

P.S.....where did you buy those sticks you're wearing in your siggy?? I love stuff like that!!

www.crystalmood.com

I don't know if the sale is still going on. Lol, I'm making myself broke, lol!!!

 

[SmilingElephant]

^^Looks like the sale is still on...hope it lasts thru the weekend!!

 

[chiconya]

No offense op I saw some bi-polar in the thread I just read about your low manipulation regimen. I have bipolar and I am on a low mani reggie all the washing, juicing, co-washing, dc'ing and sealing was driving me crazy.

My regimen is like yours was wash, dc, flat iron bi monthly. Now I use coconut oil to seal and NTM to moisture daily it helps tame build up. However if my scalp itches or hair gets greasy I wash and it is soothing. I try not to get my hair all weighed down with product. I am not into co-washing I loose to much hair and have to comb to much.

I try not to stress or make a big deal out of my hair. I see some use the same regi and have maintained waist length. But greasy hair or itchies drive me crazy.

 

[SmilingElephant]

No offense op I saw some bi-polar in the thread I just read about your low manipulation regimen. I have bipolar and I am on a low mani reggie all the washing, juicing, co-washing, dc'ing and sealing was driving me crazy.

My regimen is like yours was wash, dc, flat iron bi monthly. Now I use coconut oil to seal and NTM to moisture daily it helps tame build up. However if my scalp itches or hair gets greasy I wash and it is soothing. I try not to get my hair all weighed down with product. I am not into co-washing I loose to much hair and have to comb to much.

I try not to stress or make a big deal out of my hair. I see some use the same regi and have maintained waist length. But greasy hair or itchies drive me crazy.

Same here...just thinking about how to explain my reggie to someone drains me....but to do do it its not really too much...i'm just gonna cut back on co-washing so often...just co-wash one time a week.

 

[Eritreladiee]

Taking care of my hair (protein, prep-ooing, DC's, etc.,) cleaning, yoga, using perfumes, oils, body butters, having baths, massages, and a bunch of other things are all therapeutic, relaxing and put me in a positive mood-- that's when I'm normal though

When I'm depressed, it's almost like I'm in a coma, can barely think let alone think about my hair. The most I can do is get up to go to the washroom and walk to the door when the delivery man arrives with food.

When I'm hypomanic, I consider many things unproductive, a waste of time (like eating, sleeping, getting ready, which would be done in 5 minutes-- rub conditioner in my hair and rinse myself with water, hair in messy ponytail, brush teeth for 15 secs)

With mixed mania, there's too much of everything-- severe anxiety, racing thoughts, can't make a decision for the life of me, rage, sex, intense workouts, self-medication, etc. Can't deal with my hair.

Sometimes I'm surprised I don't have free formed dreadlocks But I have shaved my hair off on quite a few occasions.

Anyway OP, I'm sorry you're going through a rough time. Talking care of yourself can definitely help. Have you tried meditative yoga or other forms of relaxation/clearing your mind?

eta: whoa, sorry for the long post lol