Quote:
Originally Posted by BirdDancer
I am generally a bit more inwardly directed than outwardly directed, but that doesn't mean I'm shy or don't enjoy being with people. When I'm hypomanic/manic I can really turn into the "Star of the Show", which to me usually means I'm coming across as exuberant, fun, and wonderful, but there can be a real mixed review from others. Even when I'm in that state, I still think I'm more focused on the inward even if I'm gallivanting all around the town or world.
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Thank you, and I know what you mean about the mixed reviews. I am usually a real loner, but when I am hypomanic I get way more social and talkative. I also joke a lot and I feel this weird kind of love/affection for everyone. I've been told it's kind of like I'm drunk. Some people say they feel like they're finally getting to know "the real me," even though it's really more like the opposite. However, because I'm usually so introverted, I feel like "way more social" by my standards is still not as social as some of the more extroverted folks when they're manic, so I feel like it's easy for my Pdoc to overlook this aspect even though it feels very significant to me. Sorry if that doesn't make sense.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluebicycle
Honestly, I think I've been having hypomanic episodes lately even though I've been getting normal amounts of sleep. I've started to look back on my past behaviors where I was, for months at a time, spending $3000-4000 A MONTH on random crap online. I had newfound "hobbies" that I was trying to get into, and I was buying some of the more premium products for what I actually needed. The items were all random crap, with most of them not interesting me anymore.
Nowadays, I spend like $300 a month in total (after paying rent, internet, and utilities) on necessities like groceries, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, etc., with occasionally some fun stuff I buy online.
I'm really reckless with money when my mood gets elevated, and sometimes I become reckless with driving as well (like going 95 mph or more on the highway).
I also get really chatty, I guess? I start talking to people and holding long winded, one-sided conversations. (Normally, I never approach people in real life. I am very reserved and introverted.) I can never tell when I'm boring people if my mood is elevated. I just keep talking and talking and talking, and never realize what other people think. I think I chewed another member's ears off the first time we met IRL a few years back. lol  |
I definitely hear you on the spending, I'm prone to that myself. I'm glad to hear you seem to have it under control these days. Like you I also tend to develop lots of new hobbies and ideas for projects, and I really think I can pull it all off because I have so much more self-esteem. It has sometimes paid off, but many times I never finish those projects, or I take on obligations that I later regret and have to wiggle my way out of.
I'm ashamed to say I nearly caused an accident on the highway once because I was speeding. It was a close call and just luck that it didn't end badly. After that I was paranoid for weeks that the police would show up at my door. I'm still prone to driving recklessly when hypomanic, but I'm more aware of it now and I try to reel myself in when needed or let my wife drive instead. The spending still tends to get out of hand nearly every time. I tend to be very good at rationalizing why I really need to buy all that stuff. It's so easy nowadays with online shopping.