[mojave_rose8]

I have been pretty hypomanic the past couple of days, and for me, when I become hypomanic, I also break out of my shell and become an extrovert. When I am baseline, I tend to act somewhat extroverted -- I have "adapted" over the years -- although I remain an introvert to the core. (When I am not in class / on campus, I prefer to hole up in my apartment -- and I love spending the weekends alone to "recharge".)

Lately (well, yesterday -- but I am sure it's happened before and I haven't noticed) I find that not only do I become markedly extroverted when hypomanic, but my sense of humor seems to increase tenfold. And ... it's not inappropriate jokes, but apparently, good jokes, based on people's reactions. (Now -- when I am baseline, I have a pretty good sense of humor too --I just find my jokes become "extra funny" when I am up.) I tend to gauge the quality of my jokes by people's reaction time, if that makes sense -- you really can't "fake" a laugh if you find something genuinely funny. And when I make a joke in class -- if everyone laughs loudly -- I consider my joke a success.

Does anyone else experience this elevation of humor when they're up? While I am at it, how do measure the "success" of your jokes (in general)?

[hamster-bamster]

I used to have it, too. And I agree that measuring the success by the reaction time is reasonable. Well, this is not the worst part of hypomania, right?

I used to be the life of the party when i was up. Now I focus so much on the fact that I am up and I know what it is now, that I do not enjoy any of it and i feel out of control and can't wait for it to end.

[faerie_moon_x]

I tend to be the "comedian" anyway. I know tons of good jokes. I used to be an actress in Melodrama plays, which are all puns and hilarious. I actually considered going to clown college (don't scream and run, I didn't...) I mean, I can really tell a joke. But when I'm depressed, there is no laughter.

My joking and punning and being funny is a huge part of my pressured speech, too.

[cocoabeans]

Oh yes, though I'm always joking. When I'm depressed, I can joke and laugh. I'm usually quite quick with a response too...I'm known to be witty. A joke or funny story is always near, my brain is weird like that.

But, the "hypomanic" joke is even faster, accidental even. I can open my mouth and even find my own jokes and comments amusing. There isn't a filter to make me doubt that what I'm about to say or do is funny.

And telling a quick joke isn't just about funny words but, timing and delivery too. If you question it, you may lose it.

The creative and simple associations of ideas and words that come so quick during "hypomania" make it easy to think of funny things too so, I do become funnier, maybe more willing to take a risk with a comment.

As for "inappropriate jokes", they don't exist. If it is truly inappropriate, it either wasn't delivered right or it wasn't funny. Anything can be joked about at any time.

[BipolaRNurse]

I've always had a rather sardonic wit, and when I'm hypomanic my delivery of humorous content is razor-sharp and spot on, judging by the laughs I get. Being a nurse has also warped my sense of humor, and I laugh at crazy stuff that no one outside the medical professions finds funny, like projectile vomiting and poop, and other bodily effluvia not discussed in polite company.

[manic most days]

Interesting... I've always been told I am hilarious or quorky. I just thought it was my personality and no joke my biggest fear about being placed on meds was loosing that

[Setso]

Humor?
I used to laugh once

[sonotony]

When I used to get hypomanic, I was the life of the party. Unfortunately, meds have made me continually depressed over the past two years. I miss hypomania.