[Shadowsinsideme]

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

[sqrlb8]

Hi Becka, sounds like you are pretty well answering your own question at the end there, when you say that your only hypo symptom is irritability, as opposed to the others you name.

The thing about irritability is that it is really sort of a frustration expression, but it tends to surface before the "idea" of being frustrated. It's like this, here you are going along with your life, and then comes the shifting of brain chemistry, weather because of bp, schiz, or any of them. As your chemistry is shifting, before you are aware of it, it is complicating the flow you are in. Things begin to feel different though they haven't changed. Part of us must notice, and gets all snappy and short, like an expression of impatience. I think it comes from the sensation that things aren't going how you remember they go. Does that make sense?

It sure makes sense to me that irritability shows up before the whole "episode" blooms. Maybe the irritability can serve as your advance notice of impending mood shift? Hope this helps some.

[dogtanian]

that's a good answer sqrl - the way you describe the beforeness of hypo irritability is useful. when i'm going toward mixed state the first thing i know to pick myself up on is the irritability, because it feels so different. i get annoyed at stuff all the time and frustrated and stuff but when i'm going it is more like - there's nothing to be annoyed at, it's just there, and honestly, the kettle taking longer than 30 seconds to boil will bug me, the sun coming up in the morning will bug me and i start getting completely irate at things that (a) i have no control over and (b) aren't even that annoying, just normal. so i guess in this sense it's a bit like becka's - in that it's a great warning sign. my mood fluctuates all the time but if i get that irritable feeling then i know something's happening *up there*

sorry if that was a bit random btw...

[darkeyes]

Can't answer that for you, you did not state you are Bipolar, and of what I get you are just probably "P.O"ed about something, disorder or not anyone under stress (you did not tell us what from) can lead to irritability, which does not mean one is hypomanic.
It's fine you came here, but to be on the safe side I'd reccomend you speak to your pdoc, be honest, and tell him or her exactly what you are feeling.
I wish you luck with this,

DE