[grlnmt66]

...does anyone else experience this?

[SmokeyPoole2012]

Yes I can experience days like that. I have found that some of my activities maybe causing the problem to get worse. Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, concentrations of sugar and things like that helps. Mania, before becoming too extreme feels good, so I tend to promote the feeling which causes extreme mania or hypomania and that becomes the problem.

Yes. Sometimes I'm bouncing off the walls from the get-go, other times it gains momentum in doing things that make me think of other things, that make me think of other things. You get the picture. Then of course I try to do them all at once.

[grlnmt66]

Smokeypoole~ Looks like I need cut back on the caffine...darn it, lol. I LOVE coffee..

[grlnmt66]

Innerzone~ I know EXACTLY what ur talking about! A big thing for me is lists...charts..and graphs. Problem is...I spend TOO much time planning...Im a great planner but not so good at following through. I am slowly improving, however.

Originally Posted by grlnmt66

Innerzone~ I know EXACTLY what ur talking about! A big thing for me is lists...charts..and graphs. Problem is...I spend TOO much time planning...Im a great planner but not so good at following through. I am slowly improving, however.

I don't really chart and graph too outside of mood charting, but lists? LOL, YES! And of course, not just one, but many -- on desk, in folders, I even have a pocket on the bag I carry around devoted solely to a pen and paper(!) Outside of planning an "order of operations" for errands (which places, which order, list for each, grocery one listed by section on the path I always follow to maximize getting it all done asap because I don't like being out in stores), I suck at planning (and therefore hardly know the meaning of follow through), it's more that I can't remember anything otherwise(!)

(How's THAT for a run-on sentence?! Ooops. )

Oh. It occurs though... not so much on list-consulting when hypomanic. Brain provides too many ideas to even have time to look at one(!) Lol.

[grlnmt66]

innerzone~

[cocoabeans]

The longer I'm awake, the more energy I have...so yip though, I never seem to say "mmm I've been a bit hypomanic these days."

[hanners]

I most commonly feel the most hypomanic at night, at least that's when it can be a more productive mania. During the day I tend to be more agitated and restless (and tired), but by evening I can focus better, and put my hypomania to good use! The downside is, I can't sleep because I always think of another thing I want to get done, and Have. To. Do. It. Right. Now.

[sb7777]

I sometimes have days where my hyomania increases through the day, especially if I've experienced triggering events (for me, meetings)

[PositiveKarma]

Hi there,

grlmnt66 and Innerzone- I can totally relate to your, "Lists." I'm a huge list maker and consult my planner multiple times in a day. I've often said, "If I don't write it down, it doesn't exist." Especially so if I have a lot to do.

Much like you, grlnmt66, I will spent insurmountable amounts of time planning and making these lists (things to do for the day) carefully planning my time, the logistics of what I've planned, prioritizing, etc.. Then, realize as I'm trying to blow through my list of things to do, I've overextended myself then causing me to shift things around to another day. Thus, a whole nother re-planning must take place.

I always thought this was because I'm so visual and if I see something I can remember it better (a very visual learner). However a few years ago I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (NOT OCD!- very different). Also I'm extremely organized (a trait of OCPD). Therefore, I've since chalked up this behavior as part of this disorder.

Last week it was suggested to me by a psychiatrist that I might be Bipolar due to the inability of my mind shutting off and my recent mood swings. Like hanners, if I think of something that needs to be done I often have to do it right then, fearing I'll otherwise forget.

Please know I do not intend to hijack the original purpose of this thread! I do have a question about this behavior, though, and I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place for it. (I just recently joined this site and am very new). Guess I'll ask anyhow unsure what else to do.

Is this behavior, in fact, a symptom/trait of hypomania? The list making, the need to do something right then and there, and the time involved in making these lists? How about the racing thoughts and chain of events which occur because of them? (Thinking about one thing that makes you think of another, then another? I experience this all the time! Only to find I get sidetracked and forget what I originally began.

I thought this was my OCPD kicking in. Might any of you also have this disorder too and this, "List Making," and racing thoughts then stems from OCPD? Or is this more commonly associated with hypomania and Bipolar?

Just looking for answers to so many questions. Your insights and input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time,

~Wishing all of you well~

[grlnmt66]

Positivekarma~ Im SO new at this maybe others have an explanation for the "lists"....and the need to get this ...that..and the other done. Im assuming both are BP traits. I guess Ill "Google" it.

[BlueInanna]

I think I do get more hypomanic as evening comes, and anxiety about what I didn't get done or worry about if i'll be able to fall asleep.
Lists - I love lists - but rarely complete them. At least they help me get some of the thoughts in my head sorted out.

[PositiveKarma]

grlnmt66,

Thank you for your reply and honesty. Yes, I've done a good amount of research on Bipoloar but nothing specifically relating to list making. Guess I'll need to do this when I have the time. Great suggestion. I tend to be a research junkie often needing to know as much as I can about things- especially my health. Otherwise, guess I'll continue to check back to see if anyone else responds.

Looking forward to further replies,

~ Peace and healing energy to all ~

[Merlin]

I do find that I get more hypomanic as the day goes on, I think it's because it becomes longer and longer since I slept last.

[Irreplaceable]

The more time that goes by in the day, the more tired and sleepy I get. The more sleepy and tired I get, the more b*tchy and snappy I get and the more likely I am to have a complete meltdown. Now there are times where I'm really tired but I will get a burst of energy. Can't sit down, want to move, talking fast, excited. Then all of assuden, BAM, I'm down...Anyone one who really knows me knows it's best to leave me alone when I'm tired...It's a wrap if you say or do something....

[Irreplaceable]

Originally Posted by BlueInanna

I think I do get more hypomanic as evening comes, and anxiety about what I didn't get done or worry about if i'll be able to fall asleep.
Lists - I love lists - but rarely complete them. At least they help me get some of the thoughts in my head sorted out.

This is why I don't make lists...I make mental notes in my head as far as what needs to be done for the day. But to sit down and write things out? Nah....

Good point about the anxiety and worrying about what didn't get done and what needs to be done...These thoughts alone can ruin my mood.

Originally Posted by Positivie Karma

...Is this behavior, in fact, a symptom/trait of hypomania? The list making, the need to do something right then and there, and the time involved in making these lists? How about the racing thoughts and chain of events which occur because of them? (Thinking about one thing that makes you think of another, then another? I experience this all the time! Only to find I get sidetracked and forget what I originally began.

I thought this was my OCPD kicking in. Might any of you also have this disorder too and this, "List Making," and racing thoughts then stems from OCPD? Or is this more commonly associated with hypomania and Bipolar?...

Hi Positive Karma and welcome.
I would say no. List making isn't a BP trait. (I think you're on the right track with the OCPD.) When I'm hypomanic, I have no need of list making. My brain is already supplying a non-stop barrage of imperatives. Why stop to write? I'm doing them. ALL. RIGHT NOW. And simultaneously at that (slight exaggeration, but not much!). When my thoughts really get to the point of racing, I'm not sure I even really could make a coherent list.
I do know what you mean about the side-track thing. I call it rabbit-trailing. No idea how I got there. No idea how to get back, but found some cool stuff along the way. For me, it's a reflection of my disorderly thinking patterns. I have no regard for linear thought. (Except at work, setting up an efficient system, oddly enough. But that's a whole 'nother conversation. See? Rabbit trails! )

Originally Posted by Irreplaceable

This is why I don't make lists...I make mental notes in my head as far as what needs to be done for the day. But to sit down and write things out? Nah..

Hahaha. You know those game show tubes that people stand in while dollars swirl all around and they try to catch them? That'd be a good mental picture of my mental notes(!) Which is why I do write things down(!) Lol. As far as completing? You all have me thinking about this list thing, and, well, guess mine aren't straightforward. Sometimes they will be of chores. Mostly not. Even when they are... most of the time, at the end of the day, say a bunch of stuff got done. But not one thing on the list.
It's like.. Make a list. Do a bunch of other stuff.

Most of my lists are bits of randomness. Let's see, what do we have? Some chores. A reminder of a website that has entire scripts from a show that I want to dig around in. An address for a dentist, should I ever actually motivate to pursue such a thing. "Windshield". Apparently there is a need to remind myself of the giant crack across my windshield that I have absolutely no intention of doing anything about. Library number. The short one that is. The long one is actually memorized(!) Amusing quotes such as "fart goblin" from The Big Bang Theory. Shows to hunt down on youtube or Hulu. What train to take if there were Saturday work. Figure out what some building or business I saw from the bus is.

See the problem with "completing"?

I'm driven to list-making almost entirely due to fear of forgetting and to download my brain.