[kazine]

I'm not looking for an internet diagnosis at all I just want to know if someone described this to you, a bipolar person, would you think it was hypomania or not.

- 3 months of feeling "elated".
- In this time the person has casual sex with at least 3 people.
- Not being able to sit still in this time and feeling like they have to be moving.
- Have reckless sex to the point of tearing their vaginal wall and bleeding a lot and refusing to go to hosptal claiming they will be fine, and not allowing their partner (one of the casual sex partners) to call an ambulance until they nearly pass out and vomit everywhere.
- On the way to the hospital even though they're bleeding half to death (had to have 2 blood units in transfusion) just laughing and carrying on with the ambulance staff.
- Feeling like the most amazing gorgeous person ever pretty much constantly.
- Friends and classmates constantly asking if I'm drunk or high.
- Sleeping a lot less than usual.
- A lot more motivation to exercise and do school work, and trying to find a job.
- Drinks a lot more, smokes cigarettes and weed when they wouldn't usually.
- Ideas and thoughts going through my mind so fast that they can't physically talk fast enough to keep up with them.
- A lot more sociable.
- Feeling like they have endless energy.

Because this is what happened to me for 3 months and every professional I've spoken to has said that there is no chance I am bipolar. Even though my boyfriend is diagnosed bipolar and his symptoms are no where near as bad as mine. I don't know I just feel like I'm not being listened to. Is this what you bipolar people experience?

(I also have severe depression, no motivation, extreme suicidal thoughts, self harming etc for like 4 months at a time).

Kaz x

[cocoabeans]

Could be, though I'm curious what do the professionals say it is though?

[kazine]

They never gave any alternative explanations.

Kaz x

[Charlie_J]

I'd say it sounds like hypomania, though for me, even though the hypomanic phase can last a long time, it usually gets worse. I end up very delusional (I believe I'm God, and that I'm invincible, and that everything exists just for my benefit), and instead of functioning better, I stop being able to function at all. I'm impatient, quick to anger, and usually destroy my entire life with a devil-may-care attitude.

Just after that is the point when it switches and I crash into depression. And my depressions last, and last... and last.

The switch doesn't flick again until I've climbed back out of the depression, and am nearing normality. Then I get to wave at normal as it goes flying past me on the way back up.

[kazine]

Originally Posted by Charlie_J

I'd say it sounds like hypomania, though for me, even though the hypomanic phase can last a long time, it usually gets worse. I end up very delusional (I believe I'm God, and that I'm invincible, and that everything exists just for my benefit), and instead of functioning better, I stop being able to function at all. I'm impatient, quick to anger, and usually destroy my entire life with a devil-may-care attitude.

Just after that is the point when it switches and I crash into depression. And my depressions last, and last... and last.

The switch doesn't flick again until I've climbed back out of the depression, and am nearing normality. Then I get to wave at normal as it goes flying past me on the way back up.

Charlie I assumed that the point where it became negative to the point of delusions etc was the step from hypomania to mania though I might be wrong.

Kaz x

[Charlie_J]

No.. you're right. I'm just being a bit thick. I'm kind of new to all this myself, and I forget to call things correctly.

Sorry...

[kazine]

I don't know why two different psychs have told me that this is normal :/ It's clearly not, is it?

Kaz x

[rosesarered]

Originally Posted by kazine

I don't know why two different psychs have told me that this is normal :/ It's clearly not, is it?

Kaz x

I would say its clearly not normal....I'm nit sure why the professionals you've been
in contact with think it is normal. I've had the symptoms you've had, not for three months
and not with the sexual component, but I've always understood my symptoms to be
of a hypomanic nature.
I do feel the need to point out that at this time I am unaware of my official dx.
The first psychiatrist I ever saw put in my file that I am bipolar but I've since seen
two others shrinks and I'm not current with what my current doc thinks.

Are you being treated in any way for any of your symptoms?

[bluemountains]

Has your depression been treated? Some of what you have mentioned are also symptoms of depression, such as sleeplessness, thoughts of suicide, and restlessness. Also, the drinking and recreational drugs could contribute to your reckless sexual behavior as well as being more social than usual.
Perhaps you should talk with a therapist because whether you have bp or not, you are hurting yourself.
Bluemountains

[kazine]

I'm currently taking Seroquel. My BF got prescribed it and since it was a sedative he gave me it one night to help me sleep and it helped me so much that he let me keep taking it and I've been fine since then. But the dose kept wearing off until I got to 600mg and my psych wouldn't put me over 450 because I didn't have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder which is annoying because the bipolar medication is working for the symptoms so that just makes me think even more that it's hypomania.

Also the elated and the depression are completely seperate. The sleeplessness is when I have the elated period. The list I made above is all completely seperate from what I put in the brackets.

Kaz x

[Faraway tree]

That sounds like hypo-mania to me. It actually sounds like me a few years back, I'd forgotten about stuff I got up to/thought back then. Maybe go see another doc, can you get a recommendation from someone for a good one? When I went to the doc I wrote a giant letter the night before about all the things I knew I needed to say. My friend had to see three or four before she was diagnosed and she was really unwell, it wasnt until her aunt refused to leave the criss service until someone helped her neice that she got it. I'm not suggesting that, but keep trying

In the meantime, laying off the weed is pretty much the best thing you can do in my opinion. I had the same stuff as you going on when I smoked pot, all out of control, mega fast swings, really self destructive. For me stopping weed made the swings less extreme and less quick, which made them easier to deal with and learn to manage. Stopping weed calmed the storm waters so to speak.

I hope you find the help you are looking for soon, I know it's really scary when all of the sudden you find acting in a way that doesn't fit with who you are, and it's full on when your thoughts and ideas are so fast and so many.

It's cool you are looking for help too, it took me six years to get diagnosed and have just started meds now - makes life so. Much. Easier.

Good luck out there!

[cocoabeans]

Do your professionals know you have a bf with bipolar? If so, and especially if you're a young woman, they might just think you're too tied up in the relationship with the 'crazy' guy. Lots are like that!

[kazine]

No they don't know my boyfriend is bipolar.

Kaz x