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Catch It. Check It. Change It.


Nobody enjoys the feeling of being on edge, and anxious... Anxious for the reply about the business deal. Anxious for the update on your loved one’s health. Anxious for confirmation of the loan approval, etc. We have all been there.

Recently, I felt anxious. However, my anxiousness could easily manifest into mania, a condition that perpetuates excessive energy. It was subtle at first. I brainstormed a few plans, and focused on different approaches to execute the agenda. I began to minimize my sleep to work on the plan. This load of ideas transitioned into over-thinking and indecisiveness. My anxiety built momentum to the extent that I had to check myself. I started to redirect my focus to develop patience. I did not want to experience mania at its worst, and produce negative outcomes.

I began to be mindful of my sleeping pattern and diet. I was making a conscious effort to maintain better self-care. I reached out to a couple of people without reply. In response to the over-excitement I focused on relaxing my mind. I practiced a lot of coping skills. I walked around my neighborhood to clear my thoughts. I listened to soothing music to ease my mind. I also completed house chores to concentrate on easy tasks, and to stay productive. However, my mind was still racing. Therefore, I tried to rest. Thankfully, my friend called.

Finally, I felt much better. Fortunately, my coping skills worked. I won the battle and my anxiety did not spiral out of control into extreme highs of mania. In other words, I caught it, checked it, and changed it. I learned about “Catch It. Check It. Change It,” in the certified peer specialist (CPS) training a few years ago. A CPS is a peer with a diagnosis who models recovery and offers peer support to encourage others. Now I feel more confident about my ability to fight symptoms by catching the warning signs, and applying my coping techniques.

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