HI

My name is Becka. I generally post on the schizophrenia forum because i have been diagnosed with paranoid schiz. Lately i have been confused about what Hypomania is and whether or not i've experienced it.

I've heard that irritability is one of the symptoms of hypomania. Lately i have been extreamly irritable--because of a lot of stress that has been going on. I recently had another psychotic episode and went back to the hospital.

But what im confused about is--irritability could be part of something other than a hypomanic episode, right? I mean, I';ve read that irritability is a symptom of a relapse in schizophrenia. And that was right around the time when i started becomming irritable--when i was relapsing. I don;t have any other types of manic or hypomanic symptoms, like flight of ideas, less need for sleep, elated mood, etc.

HOw does one know if they are in a hypomanic state or if they are just irritable for other reasons?

thanks for your help

-Becka