Struggling.

My question first: How do you cope when you are feeling manic? What helps? Are there any phone apps that you really like for coping with mania?

I feel like I am always struggling. Right now, I have moved from a depressive episode to some shade of mania (not sure if this is hypomania or mania, but it's definitely something). It's enough that me and my partner have noticed and are taking steps so that I can be okay.

Even though I have experienced manic episodes many times now, I still don't really know what to do when I am feeling like this.

I am looking into talking with a therapist through a texting based service, but they are also expensive and I don't know if I can really afford that right now. If anyone knows of cheaper text based services (with a licensed clinician), please let me know.

Please do NOT recommend pharmaceutical medications to me, they are not safe for me to take personally and it's really invalidating to be told to do something harmful to myself to be okay. I am open to and interested in alternative medicine options, and will make sure to look into the safety before I would start using it.

I also have been able to implement a lot of lifestyle changes. I am working on my habits and routine, and I've been trying to do calming activities. However, I haven't been able to get enough sleep lately because of my work schedule and I think this is really triggering my symptoms - I am doing my best to get to earlier but having to work early in the morning is really tough for me.