If you look at the DSM-5, you could check off pretty much every single symptom in the criteria symptom lists.
Impulsivity and disinhibition can be my worst manic symptoms. Extreme energy is always present, especially so before taking sedating medications. Yes, I had insomnia, but no I didn't care. Cops have been called or were threatened to be called. Hypomania is simply "mania light" for me. Not so dangerous or scary, but still noticeable and problematic. I can be either elated or downright Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil during all stages of mania. Before proper treatment, I had extended hypomanic periods of several weeks and even months, that sometimes reversed before full blown mania and sometimes went on to full blown (usually if stressors continued). Most full blown episodes included at least brief psychosis. My full blown periods were generally shorter than the lengthy hypomanic periods, except the ones that led to psychiatric hospitalizations. Very often, my full blown manias turned extra ugly by transitioning into manias with mixed features. My longer psychoses were usually when this happened. When in mixed states, I can be more of a danger to myself than in any other mood state (recklessness, violence to things/self, calls for help --meaning not quite suicide attempts).
I have had only four long-term severe depressions in my life, compared to more hypomanic to full-blown manic episodes than I can remember. I have experienced many milder depressive periods, the number of which I can't remember. Some were short and some long. The usual symptoms applied. Hypersomnia or just not leaving my bed is notable during my depressions. This has led to hospitalizations, job loss/quitting, and such. High anxiety, low motivation, and marked malaise is notable in milder episodes. Depressions with mixed features are as bad as my manias with mixed features, and have turned psychotic.
My medication cocktail isn't perfect at preventing episodes (especially hypomanic/manic), but it cuts them short, especially with emergency intervention.
|