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According to the DSM-IV-TR, a hypomanic episode includes, over the course of at least 4 days, elevated mood plus three of the following symptoms OR irritable mood plus four of the following symptoms:

* pressured speech; rapid talking (definitely this)
* inflated self-esteem or grandiosity; (perhaps, but I don't want to admit that, because it feels better than the too little self-esteem)
* decreased need for sleep (not this, because I am so exhausted, I pass out);
* flight of ideas or the subjective experience that thoughts are racing; (I am having trouble controlling racing thoughts, and concentrating on anything for any period of time)
* easy distractibility and attention-deficit (superficially similar to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder); (I can't concentrate on anything for a long period of time, I flit from one activity to another, and my work is messy);
* increase in psychomotor agitation; (I keep double and triple posting, and hitting the mouse button over-and-over, and playing video games that I get agitated with quickly) and
* steep involvement in pleasurable activities that may have a high potential for negative psycho-social or physical consequences.[2]

In the hypomanic state, people may feel like they can't slow their mind down, and that all these speeding thoughts are amazingly perfectly crafted. Some examples are speaking or writing in rhyme or alliteration without planning it first; quick responses to people talking; or the ability to improvise easily on the spot. In more severe cases, hypomanic people may actually hear constant music in their head, or see images in their mind racing by.[citation needed]

Another type of behavioral response sometimes included as a symptom is emotional flattening or blunted affect. A person may seem unusually cold, uncaring, or arrogant, showing little or no emotional responsiveness.[citation needed]

The less severe form of high in bipolar disorder is hypomania. People with this form have increased energy and tend to become more active than usual. They do not, however, have delusions or hallucinations. They do not lose touch with reality in the sense that they know who they are and what is real. What can be a problem, however, is that they tend to overestimate their capabilities and fail to see the obvious risks involved in their ventures. For example, if they are in business, they may suddenly decide to expand in a way that is not really practical or set up schemes for which they are ill prepared. Other forms of less inhibited behavior include reckless driving, gambling, spending sprees and sexual adventures. They may also have lots of new ideas but do not follow them through. They are often very jolly to be with but can quickly become very impatient or unpleasant if they cannot get what they want.

People with hypomania are generally perceived as being energetic, euphoric, overflowing with new ideas, and sometimes highly confident and charismatic, and unlike full-blown mania, they are sufficiently capable of coherent thought and action to participate in everyday activities. A person in the state of hypomania might be immune to fear and doubt and have little social inhibition. They may talk to strangers easily, offer solutions to problems, and find pleasure in small activities.[citation needed]


I'm showing signs of a mild form of this. Have been for a few weeks. I'm not sure if I want to change it....I don't know what to do. Any suggestions or ideas?

I don't have many ideas as in techniques Aqua. I use pysch meds for this. Is exactly why I find anti psychotics useful. I find myself in a much more even mood on them.

At times I have found this state to be quite useful to me, the main problem has always been for me if it continues for some time, or I send myself into an exhaustive state through lack of sleep. The crash from sleep deprivation I find hard to deal with. But you say you are sleeping. I would be more concerned for myself if I wasn't.

I also try and be careful what I do, watch for impulsive ideas and behaviour, try not to get going to fast with anything. If I do I try to focus a lot on mindfulness or relaxation exercises. If I am still having problems even concentrating on relaxation. Its often time for me to make an appointment with my psych.

Just my thoughts here!

Have you had any changes in medication that might be precipitating factors for the hypomania?

Out of curiosity, what appeal does the hypomania have for you?

No, I don't take any meds. I think something triggered me around 4th of July, an old, repressed memory, and it has been different from that point until now. I was drinking some again (I also read that greater alcohol consumption is a sign), but I have stopped again. I want a drink though, because it seems to calm my agitation.

From WebMd:

Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. Hypomania is a mood that many don't perceive as a problem. It actually may feel pretty good. You have a greater sense of well-being and productivity. However, for someone with bipolar disorder, hypomania can evolve into mania -- or can switch into serious depression.

The experience of these manic stages has been described this way:

Hypomania: At first when I'm high, it's tremendous ... ideas are fast ... like shooting stars you follow until brighter ones appear... . All shyness disappears, the right words and gestures are suddenly there ... uninteresting people, things become intensely interesting. Sensuality is pervasive, the desire to seduce and be seduced is irresistible. Your marrow is infused with unbelievable feelings of ease, power, well-being, omnipotence, euphoria ... you can do anything ... but somewhere this changes.



I did not realize this could be what is happening until today. This is why... because usually I am a lot more unsure of myself and reserved. It feels so much better. I just don't want to let it go. The world Is so much more interesting... that is true. I am feeling more sexual, although I have not acted on that. I don't act on it in a way that it would put me in danger (I don't think, although I am not totally sure I couldn't be led there under the right circumstances), although my more aggressive behaviors do seem to lead to different actions and consequences than usual. Honestly, I want to... I want to act on the feelings more, but I don't. I could go into a more severe state, I just stop myself.

I just read that manic people may plan a lot of new social activities. I just joined a bunch of meet-ups and called an old friend I haven't talked to in years. I usually Do talk a lot anyways, but it seems like I am a lot more flighty and social and unreserved, nothing that is really scary, although as I said, I am not sure under the right conditions that I wouldn't do something really stupid. I have problems with cutting people off mid-sentence and talking over others. It's kindof scaring me. I usually think constantly anyway, my thinking is more unfocused and I'm not able to focus it like I can usually.

I think that possibly I could be cycling between a mild depression (but I Never feel suicidal and haven't in Years, it's a Very mild depression, but this feels so much better) and this....I just don't want to go back to feeling the mild depression anymore. I want to follow through on the social end of things and the other things I am not afraid or too lazy to do now. I find that I am honestly getting upset because I know that I am going to go back to that. Nooooooo.....

I think I may need to actually follow through on meds and therapy. Ugh.

Hi Aqua,



A lot of people with manic and hypomanic sx don't want to change them, generally because they tend to feel good when they are in this state. On the downside, people can get pretty agitated and agitating when they are hypomanic - and downright dangerous when they are manic. (But they don't feel bad ....) My personal opinion is to take a look and assess if there are truly negative things that interfere with your life when you're in this place. If so, that's something to address - either with therapy and/or meds. And you can try therapy and meds and always chuck it later if you really would rather not bring yourself "down" to a less agitated or up state.

2 cents.

Molly

Aqua, how are you coping with this? Do you have skills that are helping you get by?

Is this interfering with your life? Is it causing difficulty for others in your life?

Is this the first time you've had this? If not, how many times have you had it before and how much time was there between episodes?

I don't know right now. I will get back to this. I'm doubting it now, I think I may be more normal than I think I am.

I'm growing a sense of self. And I'm going thru some weird feelings and actions and thoughts in doing so. Screw it, I'm an asshole.

I am not giving this up 'til it's over. I'm gonna *'qieowejekrej-s do it this time..... thanks to all involved.

It feels good because I think it is slightly hypomaniac, but I think at the same time I am growing a self. I'm not going to stop it. I also think it has to do with the fact that I am up-and-down with alcohol consumption. I felt ok when I wasn't drinking, but i also didn't feel like I do now, so I'm not faulting whatever it is I did. I just want a self more than anything. I spent 30 years fighting chaos. I didn't have any real beliefs or foundation. i had to grow that from 30 on. And I think it is hitting me now. i'm doing it now, bf says i have seedlings, and i think i do. i feel different, and i think i am going into some weird places i didn't allow before. i honestly think part of it was that i wouldn't allow myself to believe what anyone else there believed. I think I held out because I wanted to. I forgot and disbelieved on purpose. And now that I see that something is working for someone, my self is taking shape. It's really weird. Can anyone relate?

Actually, some of this sounds VERY familiar.
Since around February, I've been going through a serious change in the way I perceive and live my life. I've been pushing my comfort zone, taking action instead of wish-washing around, getting out and DOING things. I've gotten back into my AA meetings, I bought a new car, been doing more around the house, grocery shopping - all sorts of things that i can't even remember to list here.

Along the way, I've been experiencing more mood swings, more annoyance, more irritability, inability to concentrate (or the ability to concentrate REALLY well). I have more energy - sometimes too much, according to the people who know me well. I feel better than I have in a long time, and I feel so confident and strong! Lots of things that fall into the range...And we know I am susceptible to hypomania. Have been for about forever. My T and pdoc and I have been keeping an eye on this, in case it IS manifesting itself in unhealthy ways.

But in other ways, this is what SHOULD be happening. I'm taking an interest in my life again, and I'm taking action. I'm making decisions for myself, taking greater responsibility for my own welfare and happiness. And it makes sense that, as I push past the limits of the "old life" that there would be some excitement and euphoria. Probably even a little instability as I shake up the old routines. This is a process of change and change is by nature unstable.

I can't give you any answers, but I can tell you that I may understand some of what your are describing. I'm at a place where I'm beginning to reclaim and redefine my life. It's exciting and scary and thrilling and I'm all over the map with it. Exploring, sifting, trying new things, getting rid of old ones. Of course, we feel confident capable because we are! But I can say for me, that's a new feeling, and I'm not always managing it very well. My treatment team and I are monitoring my condition because i have a history of hypomania and emotional instability. At the same time, this may come directly from the changes I've been making to improve my life and find out more about what I want to do next.

Or, as is usually the case with me, some of both.

I have to say having some history of hypomania myself. I often wonder how much is that and how much is just growth and learning to fit into my own skin. Which was my above reasoning for keeping a handle on my sleep pattern. Also being careful not to go off on anything too quickly!

I am learning a lot about my personal limits and keeping up basics while I run about trying out new things!

I think it is possible that as we grow and change and get more healthy we experience internal states that seem strange and maybe even uncomfortable to us and make us wonder whether it's normal or whether we've found a new facet of sickness in us. I know I've been there. I have found it very helpful to talk to people who know me well and whose stability I trust, to explain what I'm going through and see what their feedback is. If most of the feedback is, "Sounds normal to me," then I try not to worry about it. If most of the feedback is, "Sounds out of whack to me," then it's off to the pdoc and t.

Not too long ago my doctor reduced my meds. I started having some higher highs and lower lows, and it concerned me. But after checking in with those trusted people and getting their feedback I became comfortable with the idea that I was well within the normal range, and that my meds had previously just been compressing my moods pretty heavily. But still, the highs and lows were strange and uncomfortable because I was so not used to them.

jim

Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. Sounds so right for the circumstances. Are some things I so doubted and feared all those years... just evening out I hope to do. Just hope this time to make it over the hump to actually be able to live the way I hope to, and I do appreciate what you've said so much.

I was afraid to come back to this thread.. but I am so happy that I did so.

Aqualite
IMO - your keen sense of self awareness of what is going on with you suggests to me that you have the ability to regulate this behavior and make positive decisions based on your self awareness.
Just the fact that you are not in denial of what you are going through and willing to discuss it as though it may or may not be a problem suggests to me that you are capable of dealing with this at least at the level you are experiencing.
My SO usually is an excellent judge of when I have crossed over into unhealthy behaviors. If you have someone close that you can ask about this it maight be good to get their perspective.

Well, that's a good point.... My bf and I have been getting along well lately, actually better than before. I am listening to him and allowing more of his stuff in. We are sharing a lot more, and I am doing a lot more. It seems to be flowing very well.

He is the only one I can share my thoughts with. Most of the people in my life, I don't have that relationship with, and they don't share the complexity or understanding. He actually seems to be happier about my changes, maybe because I am not depressed or motivationless. He has said I was very silly....hehe.

I think I can handle it, I just think I will possibly come across as know-it-all and arrogant, and possibly bitchy, especially since I just got my new Betsey Johnson purse. lol. I think I'll be able to work it out, but I doubt it will be for awhile... I'm afraid to make a move right now. (I don't know if I want to...) I think I may have to stay here for a little while until I'm past the stage of hanging on....

I'm now believing that I may possibly suffer from ADHD. I think the symptoms come on moreso when I drink, but I still have problems with concentration and focus when I'm not drinking. I show most symptoms of ADHD. I'm planning to make an appointment this week and find out.... scared.

I can understand your fear; been there before. But generally a good diagnosis means that there is treatment -- maybe not a cure, but perhaps things you can learn to do and meds you can take to help you cope and make you more effective. Perhaps recognizing potential ADHD traits in yourself is more a blessing than you think -- would you rather be diagnosed and treated than undiagnosed and untreated? jim

Yes, I am thinking so too, jim. I am thinking this is the big hurdle I need to cross to become free of all my difficulties once and for all. Afraid, but also accepting and grateful that there is help for whatever condition I have. I've realized at this point that I can't beat what's left without probably some meds.

I think I had bpd comorbid with ADHD. We'll see what the doc says....

Good luck with your appointment, Aqua. Are you going to discuss your feeling that you also may have hypomania? Maybe it's a good idea to get all your fears out about what may be wrong with you, and let the doctor tell you what he thinks. Are you seeing a p-doc for this, I assume? Did you have one already, or is it someone new? Please post how it goes; I'm thinking of you. Don't be scared. You've got a lot of insight, and common sense about yourself.

Well, hypomania and ADHD are similar.... I think I may have ADHD and not hypomania. I think the symptoms show a lot worse when I am drinking. I think that's what triggered me to go into ADHD mode. I think no one figured out I was ADHD because I did so well in school and I wasn't the hyperactive type. I was a big daydreamer. I would pretend I was listening, but I was not. I did do some things physically like twirl my hair and shake my leg.

The drinking definitely has to stop. I can't function when I'm drinking. I am a lot more organized and efficient when I am not drinking. But I am going to have to see a doc anyway. I have problems with focus. It will take me all day to clean one room because I keep stopping and going to do something else. I do excellent jobs, it just takes me a lot longer. And that can't happen in the workplace... What if I am given jobs to finish within a certain amount of time?

I haven't seen a p-doc in years, and when I did, they did the usual and put me on prozac (in the South). All that did was make me into an unmotivated machine. I'm going to look for a doc today. I'm pretty positive about what I will find...