[Minaseesee]

I am just wondering, as I'm trying to see if I suffer from them from time to time :/

[wotchermuggle]

Originally Posted by Minaseesee

I am just wondering, as I'm trying to see if I suffer from them from time to time :/

Feel really good and I get super productive. I don't need to sleep as much and I wake up easier (no feeling like "ugh, do I have to get out of bed").

[sheltielover2013]

Hypomania is the best, most fantastic feeling in the world. You are bouncy, on top of the world, there's a spring in your step, you can conquer the world. I get chatty and friendly (I'm normally pretty reserved). I'm so productive at work that I do not want to leave at the end of the day. I'm brimming with ideas and I have energy to do all of them. Mania, however, is frantic, disorganized, rambling and incoherent. Delusions set in about superhuman abilities or grandiose power, hallucinations can set in (I'm told I believe I fight a supernatural enemy that only I can see because I have special powers). In mania you can become wildly combative because you are psychotically delusional. Other symptoms, you usually have been wide awake for days without any need to eat. You are severely cognitively impaired so the simplest tasks become impossible to process. These are some of the symptoms I have experienced in both hypomania and mania. When you are manic you don't really remember being manic. That's why your therapist and psychiatrist are such huge sources of help in letting you know what you've done and what the consequences are/were. Severe mania almost always requires an emergency hospital admission so you do not harm yourself or someone else.

[Kristiemarie]

wotchermuggle sounds just like me.

[A Red Panda]

(disclaimer: am not diagnosed as am only just going through that process)

What makes me feel fairly certain about things is that the following all tends to happen:

- way less sleep
- loads of energy
- change plans on a whim consistently (poor students! fortunately I tend to toss out the "boring" lessons for "fun" ones)
- am fairly talkative normally... but just you watch. I do not stop.
- can't sit still
- clean a lot more
- sometimes get more creative (if the mood strikes me I'll be fully focused on this for however long the hyper mode lasts)
- more likely go out and drink to excess (and get into 'trouble' that way as I'm more likely to go home with someone!)
- more confident in myself (physically, normally I have quite a lot self-esteem but during this times I'm pretty much happy with myself)
- often feel immune to negative consequences (such as when wandering around in non-safe areas alone at night...)
- switch from pasttime to pasttime as I get bored or just come up with a better idea and HAVE TO DO IT RIGHT THEN!
- I'm a planner. I will make a millions plans with the full intention to follow through on them... but then I get distracted and don't. If I don't get distracted, I WILL follow through with them though.

[EBD8]

Everything I did, I went to far with. Became excessive in everything. The reason being for me...I always thought I was smarter than everyone else and it showed. Looking back that's all it was for me.

[Minaseesee]

Thanks everyone!

I was just wondering I as from time to time experience some of these symptoms, but I don't know if they're as severe, so maybe I don't experience hypomania, anyway thanks to everyone for help

[Banexatreyu]

hypomania for me as I'm beginning to understand more and more. I clean but only for a certain number of minutes then I'm off doing something else always shifting and coming back yet NEVER getting any projects done. Cleaning yeah sometimes I get something sparkling clean then get very proud of myself and my ego goes up more and so does my energy level. Just remember to always have a fail safe. For me it's the game on my phone. I'll zone out and play that for hours. One of my friends when she goes off her meds and knows she's about to start doing a million and ten things she plays candy crush. lol the latest was she wanted to play an mmorpg but they wanted like $100 just to play it. My dads was talking on a support and recovery chat room back when yahoo had it, crossword puzzles, and wood carvings. But my biggest advice is enjoy hypomanic for as long as you can because once it goes up higher you're going to start to wonder if you're crazy when you realize what you did and if it goes down just remember it's only the chemicals in your brain it's not you and never act on the suicide attempts. They tend to stay with you and your loved ones will always be afraid that you'll try it again.

[redbandit]

I HATE hypomania. Cant believe i used to like it. But i've gotten it a lot more lately. I get so hyper, cant sit still, cant sleep or concentrate, get sick to my stomach, get hot then cold, etc. Have it rite now!

[Nessa213]

Sometimes it's "fun", sometimes it's not. (With "fun" kind of loosely defined.)

I get something similar to ADHD. I think... I mean I've never been diagnosed as ADHD but from what I've read about it, it seems similar. I get a lot accomplished, which is usually a welcomed change after weeks of depression. At the same time it's annoying. Like I'll get up in the morning (after probably sleeping only about 4 or 5 hours). See the cup of water next to my bed and get up to put it in the sink. Before I make it out of my room I see my socks on the floor and pick them up to put them in the hamper only to find it already stuffed. I put the water down in a random place that will probably stay there for about 2 more weeks. But I pick up the dirty laundry and head to the living room. I step on one of my daughters toys and put the basket down so I can put her toys back in the toy box. But ew, the carpet needs vacuuming now. I go to get the vacuum and notice the litter box is dirty....

You get the picture but this can go on for HOURS. It gets to be not fun if it lasts longer than a few days. I get less and less sleep as time goes on and my head starts to spin. I've compared it to being drunk. I can't walk. I can't think. I can't talk or interact with people without SERIOUS effort. It's like having 7 trains of thought all going on at exactly the same time. It's embarrassing more than anything really.

[Eliza Jane]

I'm agitated, irritable, and I throw myself into my work. I tend to talk a lot and write long emails.

EJ

[Minaseesee]

Eliza Jane, I do what you do too :/

[twisted_angel]

Having it right now, been up all day and all night cleaning, shopping (in total excess spending money I don't have) extra chatty, extra motivated, making plans that I probably won't follow up on if they don't fall within the time of my hypomania episode, coming up with all kinds of grandiose ideas that will seem overbearing later, racing thoughts, super motivated. At least I've had bp long enough to recognize the symptoms when they are happening now, but obviously not able to control them completely. Meds help to a certain degree eg. 300mg of seroquel soon to make me pass out hopefully; we'll see..

[Resident Bipolar]

Before I approach answering this question, I believe it's important to point something out: people are affected by Bipolar Disorder in different ways and not all episodes of hypomania are the same.

I've had varied episodes of hypomania - some entirely enjoyable and most of them completely unenjoyable. When I was first diagnosed a couple of years ago pretty much all of my hypomanic and indeed manic episodes were wonderful, now I'm 19 most of them (for some reason) are now terrible and make me a completely different person to who I normally am.

A 'good' hypomanic episode

I'm motivated, busy, clever, fast, intuitive, ecstatically happy, strong-minded and an amazing boyfriend. As opposed to a full-blown manic episode, psychosis is not present (which is a big bonus). During this period of time there are no worries on my mind except for one: everything that needs doing must be done THAT DAY. Not the next day, not over the week: it must all be done in a space of ONE DAY. Doesn't matter how much there is to do, there MUST be time.

I can do anything. I can fix that, write this, clean everything.

During a hypomanic episode I'll get ALL the housework done and not feel tired whatsoever - needing very little sleep. I won't sit down and relax for two days unless I'm planning out on my To Do list what needs to be done and when. If anybody tells me to slow down I'll laugh them off. My mind is set on what I want to do, NO COMPROMISES.

Unfortunately I cycle quite often, so my huge to do list will never be fully complete, as I tend to crash back down to depression/normal state (it varies) before I have the time to do it all. Despite achieving a lot, I don't stop coming up with new things that need doing, so my To Do list is never empty. When I crash? It tends to never be updated or modified because of a complete shift in mood and lack of motivation.

A 'not-so-good' hypomanic episode

Haha. People really do not want to be around me at this stage. I'm irritable, like to be agreed with on every situation, I won't be able to sleep but will get angry over it, I will have racing thoughts I can't keep up with myself. I can't work whatsoever because my mind can't concentrate on a single thing long enough to be productive.

It's just not nice at all. I'm worse when having a bad manic episode (as opposed to the lower severity hypomania) due to the psychotic symptoms I get with it, but a bad hypomanic episode is just as irritating and frustrating.

[Nessa213]

Originally Posted by Resident Bipolar

A 'not-so-good' hypomanic episode

Haha. People really do not want to be around me at this stage. I'm irritable, like to be agreed with on every situation, I won't be able to sleep but will get angry over it, I will have racing thoughts I can't keep up with myself. I can't work whatsoever because my mind can't concentrate on a single thing long enough to be productive.

It's just not nice at all. I'm worse when having a bad manic episode (as opposed to the lower severity hypomania) due to the psychotic symptoms I get with it, but a bad hypomanic episode is just as irritating and frustrating.

Yes, yes and yes. Most of mine are like that these days. I don't even like to be around myself but I feel intense guilt at the exact same time. Like "God, I'm making people put up with this?? What kind of a douche am I??"

[redbandit]

Yeah, I have ADHD too. I got pulled over for drunk driving once and even had to do a field sobriety test. I never drive drunk! I hadnt slept.

[sheltielover2013]

Originally Posted by redbandit

I HATE hypomania. Cant believe i used to like it. But i've gotten it a lot more lately. I get so hyper, cant sit still, cant sleep or concentrate, get sick to my stomach, get hot then cold, etc. Have it rite now!

I confess I love being hypomanic. It doesn't last long with me though. I swing into full mania very quickly and with it comes psychosis. Hypomania is great, what follows, not so great.

Originally Posted by Nessa213

I get something similar to ADHD. ... See the cup of water next to my bed and get up to put it in the sink. Before I make it out of my room I see my socks on the floor and pick them up ..I put the water down in a random place that will probably stay there for about 2 more weeks. But I pick up the dirty laundry and head to the living room. I step on one of my daughters toys and put the basket down so I can put her toys back in the toy box. But ew, the carpet needs vacuuming now. I go to get the vacuum and notice the litter box is dirty....... It's like having 7 trains of thought all going on at exactly the same time.

I've got ADD dx (in addition to the BP) and very much relate to this (except the 2 week thing unless depressed). But when I go hypo, it goes into ridiculous overdrive. All over the place, doing a million unrelated things all at once, and have been known to pretty much spin in circles because I can't get 3 steps (even super fast ones!) without something else zipping across my mind and physically turning (and turning and turning again...) to do it. ALL. RIGHT NOW. There *is* no "later". As far as 7 trains... yeah. Just watch my BF's stunned/bewildered/WTH?! face when I'm talking at (because really, who could get a word in, right?) him a hundred miles an hour, changing tracks with no warning. Apparently, I'm trying to tell all 7 stories at once. I do a lot of "rabbit trailing" normally, but when hypo, it's out of control. And speaking of speaking, I have no "gatekeeper". (No self-editing.) This can range from embarrassing, to outrageously rude, to giggling jibber-jabber as my mind plays with words. I don't really care that this should perhaps be embarrassing, because I am SO.DAMN.FUNNY! (This might be debated by others. )

Originally Posted by Resident Bipolar

... and make me a completely different person to who I normally am.
A 'good' hypomanic episode
I can do anything.
A 'not-so-good' hypomanic episode
Haha. People really do not want to be around me at this stage...

(Good to see you, RB! ) Good points. And yes, like being a completely different person.
Not just a little.
Up, I'm a bulldozer.... Words! Action! Unbearable intensity!
Down, I could suck the air out of an open air stadium.
Good hypomanic, like you say, "I can do anything." So true! And better and faster and smarter. Than pretty much anyone. Ever. (Again, might be debated by others. )

Tons of (many times) unrealistic projects, Wanting Lots and Loud of possessions, when normally I hate shopping, and don't own any patterned clothing, let alone a (hypomanically-driven) must have totally foofy dress in colors I normally hate. Talking to anyone and everyone, even people I don't like(!) when normally quiet and keep-to-self. Feeling SO compelled in the middle of the night -- because of being totally wide-eyed awake-- to bounce across the bed shouting, "get up get up get up!!!" for no reason. Except maybe to inquire what's up with this needing sleep thing. Dancing on the countertop while cleaning cabinets in the middle of the night. Oh! And invincible!

And...nothing can go fast enough. Like being in another dimension of time, and you've landed on Planet Molasses. Yeah. Right down to computer keys not working fast enough. Not so great thinking everyone is stupid and slow, and really, it would save everyone a lot of time if you could just tell them what they're going to say 7 sentences from now, wouldn't it? Really not great when you're ready to roll on the ground and crawl out of your skin with impatience...at everything.

And, bad hypo? No one wants to be around me then either. Especially me (no escape). I can be a seriously gawdawful entity. In so many ways. Irritability, sure. At everything. Could be non-stop vicious self-talk. Out loud even. Right on up to rage or throwing myself against walls out of the sheer intensity and volume of negative energy. Even if I am so "lucky" as to have Brain clueing me in screaming, "Stop, you idiot, just STOP!!!", I can't. And that sucks.
"Count to ten". I wish.

Sooo, yeah, I get very intensive on my creative things, even one time throwing my head back and hands to the air, yelling, "I'm a F'in GENIUS!!!" (, but true). But that sure as hell isn't all there is to it. (If it is, count yourself incredibly lucky.) I love when it's good, and never want it to end. But it's a total crapshoot. Great. Mortifyingly horrible. Both.

[lil_better_everyday]

Reminds me a lot of cocaine, without the high, but all the other stuff.

[twisted_angel]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

I've got ADD dx (in addition to the BP) and very much relate to this (except the 2 week thing unless depressed). But when I go hypo, it goes into ridiculous overdrive. All over the place, doing a million unrelated things all at once, and have been known to pretty much spin in circles because I can't get 3 steps (even super fast ones!) without something else zipping across my mind and physically turning (and turning and turning again...) to do it. ALL. RIGHT NOW. There *is* no "later". As far as 7 trains... yeah. Just watch my BF's stunned/bewildered/WTH?! face when I'm talking at (because really, who could get a word in, right?) him a hundred miles an hour, changing tracks with no warning. Apparently, I'm trying to tell all 7 stories at once. I do a lot of "rabbit trailing" normally, but when hypo, it's out of control. And speaking of speaking, I have no "gatekeeper". (No self-editing.) This can range from embarrassing, to outrageously rude, to giggling jibber-jabber as my mind plays with words. I don't really care that this should perhaps be embarrassing, because I am SO.DAMN.FUNNY! (This might be debated by others. )

(Good to see you, RB! ) Good points. And yes, like being a completely different person.
Not just a little.
Up, I'm a bulldozer.... Words! Action! Unbearable intensity!
Down, I could suck the air out of an open air stadium.
Good hypomanic, like you say, "I can do anything." So true! And better and faster and smarter. Than pretty much anyone. Ever. (Again, might be debated by others. )

Tons of (many times) unrealistic projects, Wanting Lots and Loud of possessions, when normally I hate shopping, and don't own any patterned clothing, let alone a (hypomanically-driven) must have totally foofy dress in colors I normally hate. Talking to anyone and everyone, even people I don't like(!) when normally quiet and keep-to-self. Feeling SO compelled in the middle of the night -- because of being totally wide-eyed awake-- to bounce across the bed shouting, "get up get up get up!!!" for no reason. Except maybe to inquire what's up with this needing sleep thing. Dancing on the countertop while cleaning cabinets in the middle of the night. Oh! And invincible!

And...nothing can go fast enough. Like being in another dimension of time, and you've landed on Planet Molasses. Yeah. Right down to computer keys not working fast enough. Not so great thinking everyone is stupid and slow, and really, it would save everyone a lot of time if you could just tell them what they're going to say 7 sentences from now, wouldn't it? Really not great when you're ready to roll on the ground and crawl out of your skin with impatience...at everything.

And, bad hypo? No one wants to be around me then either. Especially me (no escape). I can be a seriously gawdawful entity. In so many ways. Irritability, sure. At everything. Could be non-stop vicious self-talk. Out loud even. Right on up to rage or throwing myself against walls out of the sheer intensity and volume of negative energy. Even if I am so "lucky" as to have Brain clueing me in screaming, "Stop, you idiot, just STOP!!!", I can't. And that sucks.
"Count to ten". I wish.

Sooo, yeah, I get very intensive on my creative things, even one time throwing my head back and hands to the air, yelling, "I'm a F'in GENIUS!!!" (, but true). But that sure as hell isn't all there is to it. (If it is, count yourself incredibly lucky.) I love when it's good, and never want it to end. But it's a total crapshoot. Great. Mortifyingly horrible. Both.

Oh my gosh! I absolutely love your description of it! And so perfectly insightful and entertaining too! Your awesome!

[Minaseesee]

Thanks everyone for the replies! good luck on your journeys

[middlepath]

I feel like a wind up toy. Like my body has a mind of its own and I just go and go and go. I hate having my projects (art) interrupted and I clean constantly. I want to go outside and do stuff like walk/hike/explore. I smile at everyone! I'm interested in chatting with everyone, too. I say yes to too many things and end up overwhelmed when its over. I also buy stuff.

[A Red Panda]

Originally Posted by middlepath

I feel like a wind up toy. Like my body has a mind of its own and I just go and go and go.

Oh. My. Goodness. This is now officially my most favourite way to visualize it. It's adorable. A wind-up toy! I love classic looking wind-up toys.