Quote:
Originally Posted by sb7777
Often, my sense of smell becomes heightened right before I have a manic/hypomanic episode. ...
... sounds seem louder than they actually are...
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Yup. Especially sensitive to plant smells and perfumes. My wife and I like to take occasional walks in the evenings to unwind from the day and get some time together without distractions. When an episode is coming on, I find certain trees and plants overpowering to the point that I want to gag. My wife has difficulty identifying what smell is so repulsive to me.
The smell of good coffee, freshly roasted and freshly ground can put me into a giddy state of ecstasy, while stale coffee (say beans roasted 3 weeks before) can be undrinkable. The characteristics of each coffee take on very distinguishable markers for me at such times. But if I'm not in an episode, I often can't distinguish easily between the tastes of some coffees.
Sound sensitivity is a permanent issue for me. Since 20 months ago when I had 3 weeks of Prozac, I have had trouble with low tolerance for sudden sounds and general ambient noise. Some days are worse than others, but it is always there. It seems to tie up with a sensory gating deficit that many bipolar and schizophrenic people have.
Light sensitivity - seems to have more to do with how well I slept the night before than with any particular mood state. When I was on St John's wort I was very sensitive to bright light, including skin sensitivity to sunburn.
Sensitivity to touch. I haven't tied it to any mood state, but sometimes I can't stand being touched, and at other times it feels good. Probably has a lot to do with irritability.