cloudstrirfe, welcome to the Psych Central bipolar group! We always enjoy welcoming new members here. I find the members here to be particularly supportive and with great experience to share. I appreciate that you shared about this topic.

I totally agree with with Jedi and Innerzone. I noticed Jedi mentioned possible hypomania and Innerzone possible depression. I'm kind of thinking both, honestly. Or specifically, perhaps mixed features where you have some mild symptoms of both simultaneously, and other times more of one than the other. That is not uncommon at all, and I think you are likely not over analyzing. That's not to say you're having very worrisome symptoms, but it's important, from my experience, to catch these things in their early stages. My insight into my mood fluctuations has improved over the years. It sounds like you've got some insight pretty early on. I bet you quitting the alcohol and caffeine truly helps with that. By the way, congratulations for doing that! My psychiatrist would love if I totally cut those out. Though I haven't, I have cut down significantly. I, too, saw a positive difference when I did.

I can definitely relate to what you wrote. I think you might want to emphasize these things a little more when you see your doctor or therapist again. I realize that sometimes they don't fully listen, if the situation doesn't quite sound dire, but they need to know you have a worrisome change going on. It's their responsibility to help you to not have worsening symptoms.