Anneinside, your description fits me so perfectly. I have a whole room filled to the brim with art supplies from my constant need to try new things (or continue old ones). What is it that makes us need to buy all these supplies and why do I constantly think of new things I need and then cannot think of anything else until I get these things I "need", then figure out new things I "need"?...the cycle is vicious and never stops for me. Well, it does stop when I get depressive, but picks right back up the minute the mania starts coming back. Just this morning I couldn't wait until my son and husband were gone so I could shower and go search for beads. I'm making beaded ornaments for Christmas and for some reason I don't think the 50,000,000 beads I already have are enough or the right kind. Maybe I shouldn't go, but even saying that and knowing logically I don't need anymore, I don't think I will be able to stop myself from going and searching for some.

The one thing I don't do that so many of us bipolars seem to do is want to socialize. I have gotten myself so anxious of people that I rarely, if ever, talk to someone besides my husband, son or sister. I've got the racing thoughts, lack of sleep, vibrating skin, inability to concentrate, forgetting what I was just thinking about obsessively for 10 minutes, need to do something-anything, compulsive organization and cleaning, increased panic attacks, forced speech & need to "re-do" things I've already done (especially anything with my art).