[Jcon614]

Can anyone tell me what a mixed state is like? Newly diagnosed with a mixed state. Only reason pdoc thinks it is because I might be experiencing a mixed state. Thanks!

[vans1974]

Sorry to hear! For me mixed states are hell. I'm usually angry, anxious and depressed at the same time! They refer to it as a dysphoric mania! It's a real dangerous state for me to be in! Generally I have to take a benzo to take the edge away! Usually, ads and psycho-stimulants throw me into one! Best of luck!!

[BipolaRNurse]

During a mixed state once, I was sitting on my bathroom floor at two in the morning, scrubbing the tile with an old toothbrush till my fingers bled and crying uncontrollably. Another time I was racing up and down my long, sloping driveway, screaming and yelling at the universe......and again, sobbing like a broken-hearted toddler. Too much drama---I HATE mixed episodes!

[LacunaCoiler]

Mixed episode, is a condition during which features of mania and depression, such as agitation, anxiety, fatigue, guilt, impulsiveness, irritability, morbid or suicidal ideation, panic, paranoia, pressured speech and rage, occur simultaneously.

For me, I cry uncontrollably, suicide thoughts, and have a lot of anger issues. Sometime it decides to get fun and will throw in paranoia and/or racing thoughts. That's when it can get dangerous for me because I'll have the suicide thoughts rapidly and the impulsivity to follow through.

[Jcon614]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

During a mixed state once, I was sitting on my bathroom floor at two in the morning, scrubbing the tile with an old toothbrush till my fingers bled and crying uncontrollably. Another time I was racing up and down my long, sloping driveway, screaming and yelling at the universe......and again, sobbing like a broken-hearted toddler. Too much drama---I HATE mixed episodes!

I don't feel like that at all. Just anxious, don't sleep well (though I want to desperately). I think this is a crock that my pdoc says. I am seeing a new pdoc on thursday, but he doesn't know me from Adam. I am going to spend this time trying to formulate the most honest and concise history I can of the last 50 years!!!

[Jcon614]

Originally Posted by Are you suffering?

Mixed episode, is a condition during which features of mania and depression, such as agitation, anxiety, fatigue, guilt, impulsiveness, irritability, morbid or suicidal ideation, panic, paranoia, pressured speech and rage, occur simultaneously.

For me, I cry uncontrollably, suicide thoughts, and have a lot of anger issues. Sometime it decides to get fun and will throw in paranoia and/or racing thoughts. That's when it can get dangerous for me because I'll have the suicide thoughts rapidly and the impulsivity to follow through.

Oh God, that sounds awful! I am so sorry.

Are any of the symptoms you listed above related to mania? Anxiety, irritability, agitation seem more to me symptoms of anxiety disorder.

Impulsiveness and pressured speech do sound like mania/hypomania. Thank you for your insight.

[thickntired]

Originally Posted by Jcon614

Oh God, that sounds awful! I am so sorry.

Are any of the symptoms you listed above related to mania? Anxiety, irritability, agitation seem more to me symptoms of anxiety disorder.

Impulsiveness and pressured speech do sound like mania/hypomania. Thank you for your insight.

Mania is not always a pleasurable high. For me mania means I feel very irritated, paranoid, psychotic, and lash out at people both friends and strangers.

[monochromatic]

Here's how I think of it: It's the worst of both states.

Feeling seriously depressed thoughts but you can't sit still and your head is racing.
Anxious, racing mind, but all you can do is lay in bed.
Suicidal - thinking there's no way out.

Whenever I'm having a mood that doesn't fit nicely into my depressive or hypo categories and is godawful, it usually means a mixed state.

Mine are like monochromatic's with tears sometimes. They vary up sometimes, the one last spring I was very irritable as well, my journal was full of the F word.

[monochromatic]

yes! Tears, irritable, the world is coming to an end nobody loves me. But blips of anxious hypomania (where it seemed okay) then back down again.

[AnxietyGirl916]

Happy and sad at the same time for me. Irritable, racing thoughts, and I can't sit still.