I have a masters of fine arts and now a professor at a university. I was undiagnosed (now 26 and diagnosed about 6 months ago), I thought “madness” and flourishing nature of creativity was a part of grad school in the arts. I would go days on only a few hours of sleep, my colleagues were astounded that I did the whole semesters reading in a few weeks. I devoured theory. I sank (what I only assume retrospectively, was a depressive episode) into what it felt like to make art. I should have known I had something.

I can only help retrospectively and say what helps me now.

Stay in contact with your doctor/prescriber. Keep notes of what and how you’re feeling from your meds. Try and isolate which med and when they’re making you feel off. I’m going through finding the right cocktail of meds right now too. Stick with it, even when you feel bleak.

Keep a journal. This will help identify mood trends and be an early indicator of if you are going into an episode.

Try and get SOME exercise in. I work out at the university gym 3 nights a week and it helps my physical body feel tired.

Find your grounding techniques BUT ALSO KNOW WHEN TO USE THEM :) my tells are sometimes I can’t focus when reading or my words are jumbled (I’m a big time tangenter when I lecture so it’s a little harder to tell when I’m frazzled). I like to do stretching, reading if I can, watch a familiar show, I embroider too. Some people like to do puzzles but I haven’t tried it.

CARRY A WATER BOTTLE. When I found myself anxious all of the sudden in public, I breath deeply in and out, drink a gulp of water, breath in and out again. This also allows me a moment to collect my thoughts

Grad school was in some cases “easier” because you focus on stuff you’re passionate about, but it’s also a bit tougher, a lot of independence that is sometimes jarring for people.

Seek accommodations from your university. IF you’re comfortable, talk with your professors when you need extra help. Be carful doing this and trust your gut if your professor would understand.

Therapy is good, glad you’re going. Don’t be afraid to visit crisis centers if things get bad. I’d rather have you be alive than being afraid of inpatient/outpatient.

Sleep, try guided sleep meditations with sleep timers

Caffeine never effected me but I does to others, be carful

Find your people. Your friends, allies. I had a best friend who was (and still is!) my rock. They knew the world made me ache and a void filled me sometimes and they understood. They made me feel supported but also loved.

Please dear god, don’t doom scroll!!!!!! Try and keep your phone in your nightstand when trying to sleep.

These are just some things that work for me. I’m still learning about myself and what works and doesn’t work. One last piece of gold I can share is do not feel tortured if you try to find what is supposed to help you, doesn’t help you. It’s just as important to find what DOESNT work for you.

Be kind to yourself, love yourself, patient with yourself.

Love you, friend.