[ishy]

Hi, about 7 weeks ago I stopped taking an antidepressant called Sertraline. It made me manic and I came off it. My doctor diagnosed me with drug induced mania. However I spent a week in the US and spent about $500. That's $360 on jewellery and the rest on perfumes which were on sale (buy three get two free) and gave away the rest about $89 to my aunt who I was staying with. I noticed that I talk more, feel less shy talking too. I was just wondering if I am still going through the mania? I just got back from the US. I really wanted to buy this gold pendant but didn't have enough money so I went and spent it all on perfumes.

[BlackPup]

I guess one of the big things for me is if it is out of character for me to be spending the money. I just spent $80 on music on the Internet with very little thought when I don't usually buy music... That said I'm closer to depression than mania at the moment but maybe I'm a bit mixed cos I was having trouble relaxing and had rapid thoughts...

Do you usually buy jewellery or perfumes? Would you usually spend longer thinking before spending money?

[ishy]

Well I guess the items were on sale so I splashed out. I don't usually, no. I only bought three so I could give two away (which came free) to my aunt. I didn't even like one of the perfumes.

[Switch]

I know when I'm manic it doesn't look like I spend a lot but I do. I budget in an extra 200 a month for mania, which is why it doesn't hit me as hard I guess... I usually assume "manic spending" when it's on stuff like art supplies, or copious amounts of tea, or jewelry, or clothes (especially leather or lingerie... I love leather but it's so out of my price range), or sex toys. Things that arn't quite necessary, or things that I can't possibly use all of what I bought in a short period of time (like buying 3 pairs of heels... I'm just not going to wear them all any time soon!). Oh! And large numbers of books, or fabric (though that counts as art supplies) or randome religiouse things from different faiths... I'm kinda obsessed with religion.

I look for quantity in my spending, and times when "I just couldn't say no!"

That's my own personal experience with it.

[hanners]

Originally Posted by Switch

I know when I'm manic it doesn't look like I spend a lot but I do. I budget in an extra 200 a month for mania, which is why it doesn't hit me as hard I guess...

This sounds like an awesome idea!

[grandmaof3]

When I'm not manic I buy things I need and I think before I buy things I just want. When I'm manic I buy things I wouldn't normally buy..like clothes with really bright colors that I wouldn't wear when I'm not manic, I buy things I don't need and don't even really want. Things that aren't at all practicle. I do this without any regard to how much money I spend....with no thoughts like if I spend this money I won't be able to pay the mortgage or the gas bill..things I really do need to pay. To combat this problem my husband has his own bank accounts where we put the money aside for bills and savings and I can't access that money. That plan is working pretty well.

When I am manic I too, buy things that I would not regularly buy. Last time, a few months back I bought two big screen tv's. I'm the type of person who would keep my small old school tv until all the colour tubes went on it before thinking of buying another. Luckily I was able to return one of them. Usually tho it's just normal things that I want like clothes and things for my house. Tho I have a "collecting" problem, I have so many collections I don't know what to do with.

The real problem is that I am on disability so I have a pretty limited budget already. I only use cash, no debit, or credit cards. So if I am manic and am on a mad spending frenzy I can do some serious damage in a short amount of time. My only saving grace is that I'm addicted to thrift stores and those items take longer to add up.

I don't usually realize until after the storm, sometimes I try to question myself during and sometimes it works, but if I am too manic, I have no insight.

[BuggsBunny]

When I'm manic it's craft supplies. Scrapbooking, mostly, and expensive electronics (Laptop, new computer, etc). Now that I'm living with my sister, my hypomania shows itself in buying things for the kids. Kids' craft supplies, fuzzy purple pillows, camo sheets, things that will make them happy. (I have enough adult craft supplies to last me til Armageddon). Also being on disability, with no credit (except on computer equipment) helps keep me a little bit in check on how much I spend.

I guess everyone has to find their own manic spending items, and watch out for them. Lately, I've been wanting to buy a new computer.....

[veez]

Originally Posted by Anika

When I am manic I too, buy things that I would not regularly buy. Last time, a few months back I bought two big screen tv's. I'm the type of person who would keep my small old school tv until all the colour tubes went on it before thinking of buying another. Luckily I was able to return one of them. Usually tho it's just normal things that I want like clothes and things for my house. Tho I have a "collecting" problem, I have so many collections I don't know what to do with.

The real problem is that I am on disability so I have a pretty limited budget already. I only use cash, no debit, or credit cards. So if I am manic and am on a mad spending frenzy I can do some serious damage in a short amount of time. My only saving grace is that I'm addicted to thrift stores and those items take longer to add up.

I don't usually realize until after the storm, sometimes I try to question myself during and sometimes it works, but if I am too manic, I have no insight.

You've said some things that I would say if speaking for myself. I can really relate. Me? I do a lot of returning because I can't check in at the moment - it is impossible, truly impossible. I cannot calm the feeling of being so driven and the feeling that these "things" are somehow going to offer some fulfillment. It is painful to have such a lack of control. I too am addicted to thrift stores, rummage sales and the like. Also can be pulled into things on-line, but, sometimes I can practice walking away, knowing that it is still there in the computer for me to come back to. It's the only time I check in or test myself. If I am there with the wanted item it's a "go", even if it means not knowing how I will get through the month till my next disability check. Anyway, I admire that you are at times able to question yourself and it works. Even if it happens only on occasion, it's a good sign, a really good sign.

Aww, the lack of control does suck, an makes you feel not so good.

I was just thinking more, and I have a BIG wooden loom in my computer room now. I don't know how to use a loom at all. I thought it was a good idea at the time. Now the loom just sits, mocking me when I go in that room. maybe next time I'm manic I'll make some rugs instead of going shopping.

[hamster-bamster]

When I am not manic, I buy with a lot of thought. I read reviews very carefully - when I bought my latest jacket from REI I read every single review online. And I make sure that items are returnable. When I am manic, I buy with abandon and I forget about those rules of purchasing - last time I bought shoes on the streets of San Francisco from Naturalizer, a company with a "30 days UNworn" return policy, and they hurt my feet. Normally, I realize that you cannot determine in the store whether shoes would hurt your feet, you need to wear them (at least I do) so a good return policy is especially important for shoes. This pair of shoes is a very small example. Last year, I overbought abroad without regard to the fact that nowadays only one suitcase is allowed on international flights for free. I paid a fortune for extra suitcases which contained mostly garbage. This was when I went off Lithium - in general, Lithium keeps spending in check with an occasional UNreviwed and UNreturnable pair of shoes.

I envy this arrangement, grandmaof3, in which your husband has set aside an account for basic needs. I wish my ex-husband had done the same and left me with an account to cover my credit card spending. This way, after draining it, I would have met the consequences of my actions and probably learned something. This was during the time when I overspent in thousands and thousands (we had money at the time, not anymore).

In general, I find online shopping easier because the pull of a tangible item, as for instance in a thrift store, is stronger than that of an image. I am glad I developed the rules for online shopping - only well-reviewed items, only after reading the reviews and comparing with some other items, all this time-passing activity that insert some waiting period between the original want and the submit click are good things, IMO.

[greylove]

I went into a drugstore to buy a notebook and came out with $132 worth of paper, pens, and erasers. There was no question in my mind (after the fact) that it was due to mania. I also realized, conclusively, that the $7000 I was trying to spend on Oriental rugs for a home I no longer lived in, was also due to my mania. (And, for the record, do I have $7000 to spend on anything??? Pfffttt......not in this lifetime.)

Lol, greylove! I know! Perhaps if we knew exactly where to get the item actually needed, and wore blinders to not see the rest, it might work(!)

Heehee, Anika - I feel like the items mock me too. Then will sell (or more often give away because selling will take to much effort and time and it must go NOW) just to "get rid of the evidence".

How to know. I've figured out that if I suddenly:

* Have to have multiples and backups (just in case!), even if the item is easily available were something to happen to it (like cds -- "What if it gets scratched? Oh no! Better not chance it.")

* Am attracted to things that in all honesty I'd never wear or use (even often compounding this with the multiples thing).

* Want to load up on all kinds of things for some new project I'm charged up about.

* Want decorative items. (I tend towards minimalism and am virtually The Anti-Knicknack. My mother is a hoarder. My aversion to too much stuff started early. My horror when I later see what I've done is magnified because I vowed to never be that way. Yet there is the damn stuff! See above: "getting rid of the evidence". It can't happen fast enough.)

* Want things simply because they're attractive (including things of which I already have a bunch of the same sort of item that I don't use either).

* Start in on Ebay, compelled to buy nearly everything associated with a given catagory, no matter how ridiculous. If it's there, I MUST have it!

* If I'm really not thinking about the money, because usually I'm very thrifty (and must be -- wow, the money I'd like to have back...).

* Hell, am shopping at all (not conclusive, but I usually hate it).

Only in looking back could I see these patterns, so now I try catch myself early so as to nip it in the bud, because if I don't, before I know it, I'm in so deep that I CAN'T see it.

[missbelle]

Well, I just blew some money too doing online shopping because I cannot get out yet since my surgery......
1.I was bored
2. I felt entitled after surgery
3.I had the money in my account
4. I needed to spruce up my apartment

Of course these were wants and not needs. I am not BP but definately a little frustrated and depressed. Do I feel better? Maybe!

[veez]

When all is said and done the whole spending thing for me brings about a lot of sadness and shame for having no control. In the moment I feel that things I really want and need are before me, begging an opportunity to make a difference. When I calm down and attempt to observe my actions from an objective perspective I feel a tiredness that reaches the depths of my soul. A recognition that "yes, I am here again..., I have done this again..., I have returned to struggle with the consequences." My purchases will be absorbed into my day to day life with little notice. They no longer feel so tangible. I know that I will be consumed by the same weakness again. I never come to terms with it, it never goes away. V.

[Woundedheart1]

When I get manic I go on grandiose spending sprees online till I max out my cards. Now I'm trying to pull myself out of debt I believe in dome way it's connected to addictive behavior it's just how it manifests itself. Mind come in spending and control of good. I've spent tons in manic episodes and an very compulsive.

[moremi]

Originally Posted by Anika

When I am manic I too, buy things that I would not regularly buy. Last time, a few months back I bought two big screen tv's. I'm the type of person who would keep my small old school tv until all the colour tubes went on it before thinking of buying another. Luckily I was able to return one of them. Usually tho it's just normal things that I want like clothes and things for my house. Tho I have a "collecting" problem, I have so many collections I don't know what to do with.

The real problem is that I am on disability so I have a pretty limited budget already. I only use cash, no debit, or credit cards. So if I am manic and am on a mad spending frenzy I can do some serious damage in a short amount of time. My only saving grace is that I'm addicted to thrift stores and those items take longer to add up.

I don't usually realize until after the storm, sometimes I try to question myself during and sometimes it works, but if I am too manic, I have no insight.

I literally could have wrote this myself. Haha Anika we have so much in common and I was looking at your info earlier when i wrote on your wall and we are only 1 day apart in age.
Last year I bought 3 big screen tvs a computer a leather couch and ottomanr, a whole collection of vera bradley purses, every boot style shoe carnival had one in brown and one in black. Hundreds of books, i too collect things. This last time it was rugs and candles and different things for the house curtains etc. Needless to say Im in over my head right now. Was just approved for disability but cant afford all the credit bills. Argh.. Im just trying to conquer one thing at a time now. Bankruptsy may be in my near future. No more credit cards here. Now if i overspend im done for.

[BuggsBunny]

Bankruptcy isn't fun, but when you are thousands in debt and unable to work, what other options are there, really? Isn't this what they made it for? Honest people, who have tried and for some reason gotten so far under, they can't get out? I never, ever, thought it would be me, signing papers, but after 17 thousand in debt, SSD just not there yet, and nothing coming in, I finally gave up.

I've always been the type to pay for my mistakes, even my manic ones, but even I can't pay a bill when i have no cash.

I decided that as long as I changed the way I lived after, then having to have gone thru it wouldn't be so bad. So, one credit card with 2K max is all I have.
And I no longer allow myself to watch QVC....