The last few days I've shopped and raced around the house, because I'm having company from out of town tomorrow stay for a week. However...today I HAD to go gambling, the compulsion was so strong! I raced there going 80 mph most the way..(still didn't realize I was hypomanic or manic)...I was down $200 in slots, then I won $1100 on one spin and the insanity ensued. I kept setting limits on when I was going to stop (down in $ x dollars &/or a time frame to leave), then kept breaking those limits over and over while I raced around from machine to machine! I smoked a pack of cigarettes in 5 hours and had endless diet pepsi's (which apparently just matters worse- duh). Finally, when I had $500 left total (I brought $200) and it was 8pm....I finally left. I drove the drive home thinking how I had lost the additional $600 and felt like crap! I kept saying to myself I can't believe I have a gambling addiction! Talked to hubby about it when I got home and he said "your manic, I can tell by your eyes, they get all wild looking". Then I thought...how did I miss this? ... It didn't even dawn on me I just thought I became an addicted gambler and couldn't stop.... Note to self: Always remember look to Bipolar symptoms as possible cause of odd behavior!!!