Hello everyone, here is another mental health story
As the name says, this is about being bipolar, not my longest story, but I hope it is good
I am not sure if everyone knows this, but there are 2 types of bipolar, type 1, and type 2. This is based on type 1, if you want type 2 as well, come back to me
This is in a modern world
I did my best in research and hope this turned out well
I hope everyone enjoys
It had started slow, Marco had to say he didn't notice much, just thinking Ace had a minor bad day now and then, then a good day, nothing worrying. But then, things escalated after some months, a bit past Ace's 19th birthday.
-x-
Ace looked around in his living room, it was… too small. He had just started his vacation today, just off work. And he wanted a bigger space, so he could move around more, for when he danced or just ran around. So, he moved over to the wall to the laundry room. He could move the washing and drying machine to the bathroom, he had the space for that there, and he could remove the wall. That would be a huge difference. So he went online, checked on how to find out if a wall was a bearing one or not, and thankfully, it was not a bearing wall. So, he walked out to his shed, and grabbed his sledge hammer, before he went at it on the wall, knocking it down. It was fun, and he put on some music with his speaker, and almost danced as he knocked the wall down, it was very fun. When he was done, a mess in his living room and laundry room, he moved to lift the washing and drying machine and moved them to the bathroom, he would call a plumber tomorrow to come and fix this so he could have an outlet in the bathroom for the washing machine, and remove the one that was now in his living room.
He then went and grabbed a saw, sawing the reminder of the wall away, so it would look good. Or better than what it did. He still needed to fix the roof between the two rooms and the wall, as well as take down the other wall with the door, but he first needed to clear out the mess he had made with the first wall.
-x-
Marco frowned as he was outside Ace's home. There was a lot of what looked to be pieces of a wall on his frown lawn. He had headed over since Ace wasn't answering his phone, which was weird. Ace usually always answered and this was an urgent matter. So he headed inside, where music was blasting on a speaker. No wonder Ace didn't answer his phone, he couldn't hear it. As he was inside, he saw Ace was standing on a step ladder and was sawing the remainder of what once was a wall between the living room and laundry room. It had him blink. Why was Ace doing this? "Ace!" Tried Marco, no reaction. He tried again, before he went over to the speaker and turned it off, making Ace turn around. "Marco! Good! I need help! Could you hold this while I saw?" Said Ace enthusiastically as he was sawing off a piece that was sagging, and Ace wanted to take it off in one piece. Marco nodded and headed over, holding it so Ace could finish this. When it was off, Ace jumped down from the step ladder and grabbed a sledge hammer, moving and knocking down a large piece that was on the left side. "Ace! What are you doing, yoi!" Ace gave a laugh. "I'm making more space! I need more space!" Ace was so… energetic. Or, Ace usually was, but not like this. This seemed different.
Marco walked over to Ace and moved a hand to his shoulder, making him stop. "Ace, relax. How did you do this so fast?" It was just 9 in the morning. Ace shrugged. "I started yesterday evening. I've been on this all night!" Marco blinked. How was Ace able to do that? And how had none of the neighbors complained. That would be a thing coming. "Ace, stop. You can't do this, yoi." Ace frowned. "Yes, I can! It is my house!" Well, yes, it was. But still. He couldn't just remove walls. "Oh!" Said Ace. "I need to call a plumber!" Ace then grabbed his phone and searched for a number, and Marco had no idea what to do. This wasn't like Ace. He might be energetic, but not this energetic.
Ace then called a number, before he enthusiastically spoke on it, ordering a plumber for tomorrow, to fix setting an outlet in the bathroom for the washing machine. How had Ace even managed to move them by himself? They were heavy. As Ace hung up, he looked at Marco. "Why're you here?" Marco blinked. "Pops needs to see you… But if you're busy." Ace shook his head. "No! I'll be done soon! I just need to remove the door and that wall! Give me an hour!" Marco blinked. Ace couldn't do that in an hour. Marco decided to wait for Ace, and Ace moved so… fast, so he actually managed to do it in an hour. It wasn't a large wall, but still. It was a bit worrying to see. This wasn't like Ace. Ace was energetic, but this wasn't just being energetic.
So when Ace was done, Marco held a hand out to him. "Ace, are you fine, yoi?" Ace blinked, before he frowned. "Yes, why wouldn't I be?" Marco frowned a bit. "Well, you seem a bit over energetic, yoi." Ace blinked. "Is that bad?" Marco tried to think. Was it? Maybe it wasn't. Maybe Ace just had an energetic day. "Maybe not. You ready to see Pops, yoi?" Ace nodded. "Yeah. I can finish up here later." That sounded good. Ace would be finished here within a day if he continued like this.
They then headed to Pops' house and Ace went to speak with the man. Marco wasn't sure what they would speak about, but Pops had said it was urgent, so he wanted Ace now, but he couldn't reach him, the reason Marco had gone to check if he was home. Ace was in there for some time, before he came out, still looking to be energetic, and headed home to continue what he had done. Ace really had an energetic day today.
The next day, they all headed to a bathing place, which was a nice place as it had both a sandy shore and a mountain side that shielded them from the houses here. As they were there, Ace was literally running around everywhere and he had once even climbed the rocky mountain, but what he didn't like, was how when he was on the top, he had taken a running leap and jumped off it, barely missing the edge of it at the bottom where the ocean was. That could really have gone wrong. Which he did say to Ace, he just shrugged it off. Ace was a carefree person and did take risks, but he never took too bad of a risk. He usually used a second to think. He felt this was some of the worst risks Ace had taken, he knew, and he knew Ace knew, that people had done what he had just done and missed the water and gotten badly injured, one even almost dying as he broke his neck. Pops also didn't look happy, and did voice that, but Ace just brushed that off as well. Ace was being hard to deal with today. Hopefully it will pass.
-x-
Ace gave a sigh, moving to look at his clock. It was 10am, and he just felt… tired. He didn't want to get up. So, he gave in and stayed in bed. This was his vacation after all, he could use it how he wanted. If he wanted to break down a wall or stay in bed, he could do that. He just felt… weak and tired. And he didn't know why. He had felt.. euphoric the last 2 days. He had even gone bathing yesterday and that had been so much fun. Maybe he just used up his energy. He decided to stay in bed until he felt better, he didn't feel like going out of bed anyhow. He didn't know why he felt so low, but he did. He had felt a bit low now and then the last months, but not like this. He really felt energyless. He hoped this would pass.
-x-
Marco moved to knock on Ace's door, not having been able to reach him today either. He was thinking Ace was working on his wall still with music blasting, but he heard nothing. When he got into Ace's house, having an extra key so they could water his plants when he was gone, the house was dark. "Ace?" Ace always said if he left his home or did something. Of course, he could be in the grocery store, but then some light should be on, and his car is in the driveway. This didn't fit. He looked around, and when he got to Ace's bedroom, he found Ace, who was seeming to be sleeping. Which was odd. It was 1pm, Ace was usually up at 7 or 8. "Ace?" He heard a small hum, so Ace was awake. "Why are you in bed, yoi?" He saw the covers shrug. "Don't feel like getting up." Marco frowned. This wasn't like Ace. "Ace, come to us for dinner, yoi. We're inviting everyone." Ace sighed, not seeming to want that, which had him frown more. Ace usually loved it when they all gathered.
Marco walked over to Ace, moving a hand to Ace's shoulder. "Ace, are you feeling ill, yoi?" Ace shook his head. "No, just… tired." Marco nodded, Ace had probably used up his energy. "Ace, come and wake up, and we can head back to Pops." Ace sighed, but sat up. "Okay. Can we stop for an energy drink?" Marco nodded, they could do that. Ace rarely, or never actually, drank energy drinks, as he was usually so full of energy. They then headed on, and Marco had to wait for Ace by the door, as Ace just moved… slowly. He moved like a zombie, just slowly and sluggish. This really wasn't like Ace. They then got in Marco's car and headed on, stopping by a store to get an energy drink, which seemed to do nothing for Ace.
When they got to the home, Ace was still slow and sluggish, to the point where many asked if he was fine, and Ace just said he felt a bit tired. Pops seemed worried himself, especially as Ace had been so energetic during the last couple days. Ace almost fell asleep in his chair as they were relaxing. This was really unusual for Ace. When he drove Ace home, as they had taken his car, Ace seemed to head back to bed when he was home. Marco didn't like this, and would check on Ace in a day or two, to see how he felt. He was worried for Ace.
-x-
Ace looked at his room, before he looked at his spare room. The size difference was small, but it was there, his room being a bit bigger. But, he didn't want to make guests get the small room, so he started to switch rooms, and when he had, he looked at the spare room, where he had a few things, like his gaming pc and a large shelf with things in it. He wanted this room to be his room, so he switched rooms again, which took a bit of time as he needed to dismantle the shelf to move it, and then reassemble it. When he had, he then moved and redid his living room, moving the furniture around, before he went shopping, buying everything he needed and a lot more that looked useful and fun.
When he got back home, he then went for a run, feeling energetic. It didn't take any of his energy away as he was halfway, deciding to take a longer run and ran to Pops home, where he struck up a conversation with Marco, who was surprised to see him running. Ace did explain he had remodeled his house, switching rooms and the living room, which was larger now, as he had finished removing the wall and such yesterday. He felt fine yesterday but today he felt really energetic and happy. He didn't know why. He then ran back home, and when he had, he then moved everything out of the kitchen, before he put things back in different places, which took most of the night, but he didn't feel like sleeping, so he stayed up all night, even repainting his living room and bedroom, to a lighter shade. It looked nice. When morning came, he started to pant the guest room, clearing everything out of it, he liked this. He then moved to get the music blasting first, before he continued. This was fun.
-x-
Marco moved to Ace's home, hearing music blasting from the outside and was wondering what Ace was doing this time. When he got inside, he saw the living room was remodelled as Ace had said. Even the kitchen looked to have gotten a bit remodeled. When he found Ace, he was in his old room, which now looked to have been made into the guest room and was empty, painting the walls. Hadn't the living room looked more light than usual? When he found Ace, he turned the music off, making Ace turn to him. "Marco! Why're you here!" Marco looked at Ace, who looked energetic again, and happy. "Just checking on you. How do you feel, yoi?" Ace nodded. "I feel fine! Really fine! Oh! I need to fix the roof too! While this dries!" Ace then headed out, taking the music box with him, and Marco watched as Ace got his ladder and went up on the roof, and he didn't go slowly, he almost ran up there, which was dangerous. "Ace! Be careful!" Ace moved a hand to wave at him. "I'm fine!" Ace then removed leaves and checked for damage, which he found none off, before Ace moved down from the roof, and when he was halfway down the ladder, he jumped down the rest, which was high. Why did Ace do this? He was usually more careful than this.
When Ace was safe on the ground, Marco looked at Ace. "How are you feeling, yoi?" Ace smiled. "Amazing!" That he could see, Ace looked really happy and energetic. "When did you last sleep? You've done so much, yoi." Ace hummed. "2 days ago. I'm fine!" Marco nodded, he didn't like this. No one was supposed to be this energetic without having done or taken something. But he knew Ace stayed far away from things like that. So, when Ace started to paint the second layer on what was now his guest room, Marco headed home, and spoke with Pops, who was worried as well. Ace didn't act like this usually. So, with Pops approval, he called Curiel, who was a doctor, and explained what was up with Ace, which had the man worried. Curiel couldn't see Ace, as he was in an internship a country away. He also agreed that this wasn't like Ace, and it sounded like he had taken something, but everyone knew Ace stayed far away from things like that. Having seen many going down that path and getting really bad. Curiel did say that if Ace got down again, to call a specific number, which was to a mental health unit. Curiel did say this sounded like mania and depression, which was a bad fit and could be an illness called bipolar, Curiel knew a lot, and Marco said he would. He was a bit shocked though, he thought being bipolar was something people just said, which it clearly wasn't. He hoped this wasn't a sickness, that Ace was just energic for a bit and then just a bit tired. But nothing felt right with this.
-x-
Ace sighed, staring at his ceiling, He felt… down and tired. He must have used up his energy yesterday, when he had painted and remodeled his home. He had felt this before, and he had probably used up his energy then too. After a day, he still felt down and tired, he barely was able to get up to go to the bathroom and make food. Just since he had a large appetite, if not, he would just have skipped meals. But he felt hungry. He didn't know really why he felt like this, he never had before, aside from that one time. Why did he feel like this? He felt so tired and just awful. He hoped it would pass fast.
-x-
Marco walked into Ace's house, not having been able to reach him the last day, and when he had spoken with Ace, he had sounded… tired. So he was worried he was just lying in bed. When he got into Ace's home, he saw a lot of dishes and a dirty pan. Ace was usually quick with doing his dishes and such, so it didn't fit. He then found Ace in his bed, just lying there. He had been so up 2 days ago, and now, he just laid in bed and slept, it looked like. "Ace, you okay, yoi?" Ace sighed. "I just feel a bit tired." Marco didn't believe that. So, he then went to Ace's living room and called the number Curiel had given, explaining how things had been the last week and half. The woman he spoke with did say he had a legit reason to be concerned, and sent out a team. When the team got to him, he explained how things had been, how Ace had been over active and just underly active soon after. The leader of the team, a Chopper, said this wasn't good, and he had even spoken with Ace himself, and he declared this wasn't just being tired, Ace was depressed based on the responses he got. Ace didn't care that a stranger was in his house, he just wanted to be in the bed and even spoke sluggishly.
So, the team decided to take Ace into a mental hospital, to find more out about this. Ace didn't seem he wanted to go, but did when Marco said he would join him, to make sure he settled. They then packed a light bag, before they left, and when they got to the place, a small place with 10 beds they had said, they spoke with a doctor, and Marco joined, saying how Ace had been the week and half. When the doctor, Trafalgar, asked how long this had been going on, and if it came suddenly, Marco was unsure what to say. It had sort of come quickly, but at the same time, Ace had had small ups and down the last months, and the doctor took that in and said he wanted to have Ace in for a week, to see how that went. And Marco agreed, before he left Ace to be here, he was sure Ace would be well taken care off.
-x-
Ace moved out of his room, he was at an institution, a mental health facility. He wasn't entirely sure why he was here. Marco was apparently worried for him, and he didn't get that. He did spend the first day in bed, before he moved around and got familiar with the facility. And the next day, he felt energetic and joined all 4 walks, and almost ran them, even taking 2 walks by himself, or maybe running was better. He didn't know why he felt so energetic and happy. As the day moved by and the clock was nearing 6pm, he was called into a doctor's office, to a doctor Trafalgar. When he was in the office, he had issues sitting still and concentrating on what the doctor said, and tried his best. "How do you feel?" Asked the doctor, and Ace shrugged. "Fine. Happy." The doctor nodded. "Overly happy?" Ace blinked. "Not really." The doctor hummed. "Are you sure? You've almost taken 6 runs today, you've joined helping around and you seem excited and happy, more than a normal person." Ace tilted his head. He had been really excited and happy today, maybe a bit overly.
The doctor looked at him. "I also heard you've taken some risks. Like jumping from a mountain to water, in a dangerous way, jumping down a ladder, and moving heavy things by yourself." Ace shrugged. "I needed to redecorate." The doctor nodded. "Why did you 'need' to do it?" Ace shrugged. "I don't know. I just wanted to." The doctor nodded. "Your family is worried for you. You've been really high up, and then really low. You've spent days in bed." That was true, he had done that, and he didn't like it. He really felt tired and down then. Maybe something was wrong? Ace looked at the doctor, seeing him speaking and catching the last of it. "-you really knocked down two walls?" Ace nodded. "Yeah. I needed to. I needed a bigger living room." The doctor nodded. "I see. Ace, I want to put you on some mood stabilizers. So you don't have such ups and downs." Ace blinked. "Do I really need that?" The doctor nodded. "I believe so. If you don't like it or it does nothing, we can just stop them." Ace nodded, that sounded good. He didn't like the lows when he thought about it. And maybe he had been a bit too high up.
He then ended the conversation and he was put on some mood stabilizers. He was told it would take some days to get full effect. But the next day, he felt tired and down again, and spent most of it in bed. He didn't feel like getting up and only did it for meals and such. When he didn't show up to get his medication, which was 3 times a day, someone brought it to him. The day after, he felt high again, and ran around, speaking to everyone and having fun, even taking a couple runs. He didn't know where the energy came from, but he enjoyed it. He felt that for two days, not sleeping that night, he spent it up with the night nurses and was told he could get something to sleep on, but he didn't want that. He didn't want to sleep, sleep was stupid. When the next day came, he felt… normal. He joined on walks, which was a bit tiring as they walked for an hour, but it was nice to get some fresh air. He was told he was acting normal that day, and even had a conversation with the doctor, and he had no issues keeping concentrated, and the doctor asked how he had felt the last days, and Ace said he had felt low, and he had felt high. Really high, he felt euphoric in a way. He was told that behaviour would be less now, which was good. Ace couldn't continue to remodel his home as he had or be as low.
He spent the next 3 days in the facility, feeling normal all day, maybe a bit down on day 2, but okay, before he was sent home. When he got home, he saw what he had done in a different light. How he had broken down a wall, and how he hadn't thought much about it and wanted it back. He liked to have a laundry room. He should have used a second to think. And how had he actually managed to move the washer by himself? That was heavy as hell, he had needed Jozu's help when he first got it. And why had he painted his bedroom lighter? It should be darker. So, he went to the chore of painting the bedroom darker, which took two days, Marco joining him on day two and helping him. Marco seemed glad to see him and glad it took time to paint, it looked like. Marco had seen him high and low, and he got that Marco was worried, when he looked back at it. Marco cared a lot, which was good. Ace felt normal now, he didn't feel high, and he didn't feel low. He did have days where he felt a bit over excited, but not nearly as much as he had, and same with low days. He felt low, but not the same way as he had and didn't spend them in bed all day, just moving around a bit slower. Some days, he felt indifferent, but it didn't last long. He was told that was normal, as he was on mood stabilizers. But it never lasted long, which was good. It was just if he didn't feel that day, not happy, not sad, just indifferent. But it was fine, he felt a lot better.
And that's the story, hope you enjoyed
Bipolar type 1 is recognized to be having really high ups and down periods, that usually come and pass fast. Some have risky behaviour, while some do a lot of things to their house, like remodeling them, and using a lot of exercise as they have so much energy that never stops, and low days where you just feel down and depressed and move around slowly. A few can get stubborn and annoyed easily, some even angry during mania tops. Many who suffer from bipolar type 1 and don't have many family or friends may never get diagnosed as the person themselves have issues seeing the things they do themselves
I know this might have been a bit short, but I can always use my One Shot series to make more of this if it's wanted, maybe a relapse or something
If you have any scenes you would like to see, don't be afraid to leave a comment, or send a PM
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