[krazykickboxer]

Hi guys,

I recently got diagnosed with BPII a year and a half ago and it had me thinking...with all the ups and downs we have what would be considered a "normal mood?" I don't know anymore if I have experienced a normal mood. What would a normal mood feel like? I either feel depressed manic or flat because of my meds. Just curious for anyone out there having a similar issue. Want to know your take.

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[wildflowerchild25]

After my last manic episode in august I found the right meds and was able to experience what I would consider baseline, or "normal", for about six weeks. The way I experienced it was that my energy was at a normal level. I slept for eight hours at night, got tired during the day - my personal baseline has always been low energy. I also experienced anxiety, but it did not run my life. Any time I had a situational problem, it might upset me, but it didn't ruin my whole mood for days on end. I also wasn't excessively happy nor irritable. I just was. I was bake to work through my problems and come up with solutions. I was behaving responsibly, managing finances, and not abusing any substances or engaging in self injury, nor did I have the urge to.

I really judge my episodes based on energy. If I am so tired that my motor skills have slowed, even though I slept, I know I am depressed. If I don't need to sleep more than four or five hours a night, I know I am hypo or manic.

But honestly the way I feel is that if you are living your life happily, it doesn't really matter if you are baseline or hypo. Some doctors are quick to assume any happiness is hypomania. I spent most of December and part of January maybe slightly hypo (not noticed until my mother pointed out my erratic sleep and sped up speech) but nothing bad happened to me. I was still under control. It's when the hypo starts barreling toward mania that I have a problem, which it usually does but not always.

If you are not behaving irresponsibly or in a negTive way (and you're sure - sometimes we do and don't realize) then who really cares? I find it is tortuous for me to try and label every single day. I just try to take each day as it comes, and just be wary of signs of an episode that could be trouble.

[BipolaRNurse]

Yes. THIS. ^^

[lost&wandering]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

After my last manic episode in august I found the right meds and was able to experience what I would consider baseline, or "normal", for about six weeks. The way I experienced it was that my energy was at a normal level. I slept for eight hours at night, got tired during the day - my personal baseline has always been low energy. I also experienced anxiety, but it did not run my life. Any time I had a situational problem, it might upset me, but it didn't ruin my whole mood for days on end. I also wasn't excessively happy nor irritable. I just was. I was bake to work through my problems and come up with solutions. I was behaving responsibly, managing finances, and not abusing any substances or engaging in self injury, nor did I have the urge to.

I really judge my episodes based on energy. If I am so tired that my motor skills have slowed, even though I slept, I know I am depressed. If I don't need to sleep more than four or five hours a night, I know I am hypo or manic.

But honestly the way I feel is that if you are living your life happily, it doesn't really matter if you are baseline or hypo. Some doctors are quick to assume any happiness is hypomania. I spent most of December and part of January maybe slightly hypo (not noticed until my mother pointed out my erratic sleep and sped up speech) but nothing bad happened to me. I was still under control. It's when the hypo starts barreling toward mania that I have a problem, which it usually does but not always.

If you are not behaving irresponsibly or in a negTive way (and you're sure - sometimes we do and don't realize) then who really cares? I find it is tortuous for me to try and label every single day. I just try to take each day as it comes, and just be wary of signs of an episode that could be trouble.

You said it perfectly... I agree 100%...
At the same time I am not sure if I know what "normal" is either... what it feels like. I've recently come out of a depression and leaning towards the hypo side. I noticed the extreme change in sleep pattern... from needing 12 hours and still feeling tired all day, to now, needing maybe 6 hrs sleep and buzzing around the house in super speed with the quick speech as well. The negatives being my irritability and snappiness towards people and my tendency to drive a bit more recklessly. Neither are terribly bad but need to be watched for sure.
Yeah... I often forget how bad my depression was once Im out of it and vice versa.. until one day it all flips on me again.
Gotta love the rollercoaster that is BP

[IndieVisible]

Normal is simply your baseline, whatever that is, it's different for everyone.

[jesusplay]

When normal hits, you'll feel and know it.

Then when it's gone you'll forget what it felt like.