One doesn't have to be psychotic to fulfill the criteria for full-blown mania.....although I'm sure it helps. j/k

Actually, paranoia and delusional thinking of any kind are considered psychosis, and I think most of us have experienced at least some of that. I had it after my last child was born (and let me tell you, THAT was some scary $#!+) and almost went completely out of control on Wellbutrin. I mean, I was running around, slamming doors and threatening to kill people--at work!! I'm still shocked that no one called the fellows with the butterfly nets...

Looking back now, I realize that was when I finally understood that I was sick, even though in that case it was medication-induced. I'd been that kind of sick before, too, only nobody thought anything of it at the time because I drank like a fish----everything got blamed on that, when the truth was that I really was crazy.