A few months ago I had some stressful moments that led their way into needing self-care. Through this experience, I learned an important lesson. Mental health medications to treat mania make life manageable. Still, being stressed can cause some manic signs. We experience these signs in various ways. They remind us to take extra care of ourselves. This awareness comes when we truly understand ourselves.

I had overloaded myself when life changed abruptly a few months ago. I began to see that things were getting worse for me. I had wanted to do everything I while experiencing a family emergency. I wanted to do everything for everyone. I did not see that I was starting to become manic. I was overly stressed. I had been adherent to my medication for some time. Still, I was starting to feel somewhat exhausted. I was trying to solve everything while holding it together for others. I was nearing the point of crash out.

I sensed the need to practice self-care. I know that my challenges need extra care. This includes needing extra things because of the autism and other challenges. There was never any shame in doing so. In fact, I had picked up some practices. I dispelled rumors and did what was needed to get better in a few days. Also, those that needed to know understood and accepted the need to do it when it is necessary. Nothing is more important than caring for myself. This is particularly true under a lot of stress.

Understanding stress involves learning that things change and evolve. I must continue to practice self-care when I become overwhelmed. This can hurt in some ways. Deep down I know that it is best. Being overwhelmed can cause my mania to flare up. When the bucket is continuously filled, extra factors like diet can influence me. They make managing myself and my mania more challenging. It is crucial to reevaluate everything going on. I need to see what is best for me, not others. In my case, many understand that caring for myself must be at the forefront.

Making decisions to care for yourself can be hard. You do not want to make these decisions. Still, they are sometimes the best. The big thing is to not feel guilty about caring for yourself. This is to protect yourself and everyone else. You don’t want them to see a version of you that feels fury. I myself know that it is important to be the best person I can be. Those that look up to me should do so for the right reasons. I do not want them to see me as someone who is not my best self.

Time has evolved as we continue to close the 2025’s door. I see that I am in a much better place now. I am much better than I was in all of the years of my independence. I had proven and let go of flawed theories and fears about the psychotropic medication. I had been struggling with these for some time. Now I know that I can manage myself in moments of stress too. It is time to move on into the new era of my life.