How do I keep myself safe when I am in a state of mind where I am in a manic state and believe I am invincible?

Manic episodes can happen to anyone with bipolar disorder,, so it's important that you recognize the symptoms as early as possible can really help you deal with it better. Also, you may wish to consider creating a “Wellness Recovery Action Plan”. These plans help you account for important decisions and contact persons you may need if you get into a crisis. The National Alliance on Mental Illness recommends these plans as a means to avoid a crisis or have easy resources to reach out to. Examples of items on this plan include: 1. phone numbers of key family members, friends, and/or healthcare providers 2. phone numbers of local crisis lines, walk-in crisis centers and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 3. your personal address and phone number 4. medications that you are currently taking 5. known triggers for mania In addition to this plan, you can also create a Psychiatric Advance Directive. This legal document appoints a family member or loved one to act on your behalf while you are experience a manic or depressive episode. Doing this can ensure that your wishes, such as where you’d like to be taken, are carried out if you are in crisis. While no one likes to think about manic episodes, it’s important to be aware of them and seek support in advance. Examples of organizations that can help include the National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.NAMI.org) and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSAlliance.org). Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/mania#outlook6

I think the key thing is a support team; this may/may not include anyone from friends, family, colleagues, a good therapist, Doctor or psychiatrist! If you're on medication it's important that you're on the right dose to minimise the amount of 'ups'. What is it that makes you feel unsafe? Different people in a manic state can react differently - some prefer to shop, other's go out drinking, other's go towards recreational drugs, other's may drive for hours on end - making yourself safe comes down to working out what you do and taking action from there. It might be as simple as locking your card away and using cash only, or catching up with friends more so that you're busy with them rather than looking for other potentially unsafe things to do. I think it probably goes without saying that self-care is important; things like sleep, eating regularly, minimising alcohol and drugs and exercise - they all make a difference to that manic state. Sometimes you might need to put other strategies in place like frozen meals, smoothies or reminders to help you eat - or whatever you need to do to take care of yourself. Hope this helps! Feel free to PM a listener to help more.

In the absence of a therapist or someone who could help... The key to keeping safe is try get your mind back on track, and try calm down as much as possible. Write notes. Save things with you which calm you down. Look at them, or read them when you need to calm down... Nature pictures? Calming music? Anything works. The simplest thing that could help is try log down the things you have a tendency of doing during manic periods, and write them down in a list, and then follow up with the reasons why. When you're manic, take the list out. Ask yourself if you're allowed to attempt the action you're about to do in a manic period. Tell yourself, 'No'. Reread the reasons you've written to further convince yourself. I find this helps in getting a grip during manic situations, and calm myself down.

Sorry you are feeling this way because I feel the same way. What I do is a lot of CBT, DBT and distraction with the pleasant activities list on the web. Please stay safe and get help if you need to.