calming down a manic phase

*door knocking SFX*
*door open SFX*

Oh, hey! You came quick! You ready-- Ooh! That's a tight hug. You seem happy to see me. Have you been having a good day?

A *really* good day? That's great to hear! You've been having a tough time recently, so it's great to hear that you're doing better!

You want to show me something! Alright, what is it?

*door close SFX*

Okay, I'll wait on the couch.

Oh, wow, you built this? It looks amazing! How long did it take you?

That long? Man, you sure are dedicated. How come you never told me about this? I would've loved to see the progress you made.

Wait. You look nervous, hun. What's up?

*sigh* You built this all last night, didn't you? What have I told you about staying up so late? Not getting enough sleep can trigger your-- Oh, god, you're manic right now, aren't you?

*sigh* Of course, you are. Hun, you *have* to tell me when you feel like this.

Cause I worry about you! Because, even though you aren't depressed, you *still* don't take care of yourself. You're too busy running off that high that you lose sight of basic care. Have you been taking your medication?

[sternly] Hey. No. What did I tell you about skipping your meds?

I don't care how good you feel, you and I both know that this won't last and you're going to crash eventually. If you don't take your meds you're going to crash even harder. So. Take. Your. Meds.

Okay, they're in your room. Bring them out here.

*Because* I don't trust that you'll actually take them.

[sadly; caring] Hun, it's not that I don't *trust* you, I just know that when you feel like this you *really* don't want it to end.

Baby, no. It's not that I don't want you to feel good, I'm always happy when you're having a good day cause I know that sometimes it's a struggle for you. What I don't like is that you stop taking care of yourself because you're feeling unstoppable. Like I said, you live *just* as unhealthily when you're manic as when you're depressed. So, bring your meds out here so I can watch you take them.

Here, I got you some water.

[pill bottle pouring SFX?]

Thank you. Now, we're going to bed.

I *know* we had a date planned, but I'm canceling.

Yea, we've been wanting to watch that movie for a while, but I'm not having you stay up any longer.

I don't *care* that it's earlier than when you usually go to bed. You're going to sleep and I'm going to be here to make sure you don't wake up and keep working. Now, I'm going to grab my clothes from your room and change in the bathroom. You do the same, okay?

[sheet rustling SFX?]

Alright, come here. Time for snuggles.

There you go. Nice and wrapped up.

Hm? Why are you sorry, hun?

Oh, baby, no. I *know* you weren't trying to lie to me *intentionally*. You just got caught up in the moment and had so much energy that you lost track of the world around you. It happens. Do I wish that you remembered to call me? I do, but I also know how you get sometimes.

*sigh* I told you, I'm not *mad*, I'm *worried*. You don't have to make anything up to me. Well, actually, there *is* something you can do. I want you to call your psychiatrist tomorrow and schedule an appointment.

You and I both know why I want you to. It's clear that these new meds aren't working as well as they should, otherwise, you wouldn't be having a manic phase right now.

[sadly] Baby, of *course* you enjoy feeling manic. It's not *wrong* to enjoy that feeling. After having to deal with the lows it's only natural to want to enjoy the highs. But, just as it is important to not have you hit that low point, it's important that you don't have that intense of a high. You *need* to stabilize yourself.

Hun. Look at me. I'm *not* going to let you stop taking your meds just because you want to feel those highs. You are playing down just how bad your lows can get. You aren't thinking about those late-night calls where I have to come over and stay with you to make sure you don't do something you'll regret. If you stop taking your meds to live like that... I might lose you...

[starts tearing up] I love you, you know that? I want the best for you; I want you to live a happy, stable life. One where I don't have to worry about when you'll have another episode. One where I don't have to constantly check on you to make sure you aren't running yourself into the ground, for whatever reason. So, promise me you'll make that appointment?

Thank you. Now, I know it'll be hard, but try to get some sleep for me, okay?