[ChaoticSymphony]

I'm sure it's going to be labelled rapid cycling. Maybe I don't quite understand what that means besides the obvious. Thing is it happens thoughout the day not week, month or year. Sounds, lights, smells and touch send me into over sensory load and I could just scream (could haha who am I kidding I freaking do scream). I feel ADHD. As soon as something is interrupted anything and everything goes to $h!t. Then after I compose myself, within mins usually sometimes longer, I can go back to one thing again. I want the "ooooh squirrel" excitement not the shut the F up everyone thing. Whoa this topic was lost. Anyways does anyone else feel the ups and downs daily or am I on the wrong board?

Up and downs daily and through out the day are not common with BP, when moods are changing that fast it is usually BPD but in no way is this a diagnosis, just how it usually is. BP moods change less frequently than within hours.

[ChaoticSymphony]

I was dx with both at separate times in my life. Because I had a manic episode he removed the bpd dx.

[IndieVisible]

What Supanova said. Another difference is "how" these moods change. If they are triggered by surrounding events, it is more likely to be BPD. Bipolar doesn't need a trigger as it is a mood disorder chemical balance verses a personality disorder. But of course only a qualified doc make make this determination.

[A Red Panda]

It doesn't really sound like bipolar. Bipolar mood episodes tend to last days/weeks/months. Episodes lasting days are a lot less common than episodes lasting weeks or months.

Moods that go up and down quickly throughout the day, especially ones that are caused by a trigger (sights, sounds, smells were mentioned in your post) are typically something else. This could be Borderline, but it could also be something like actual ADHD or maybe even something on the autistic spectrum.

Those are just ideas based on things that I've read. But if you're curious to know and want help with this, then you would be best served going to talk to a psychiatrist who actually knows the difference and could help work it out for you.

Something also to look into, especially if you've always been this way, is sensory processing disorder.

[ChaoticSymphony]

Could a hypomanic episode be confused with a reaction to stress?

Originally Posted by ChaoticSymphony

Could a hypomanic episode be confused with a reaction to stress?

Definitely.

[ChaoticSymphony]

Supanova, so in your opinion you would think a diagnosis after a traumatic event would be incorrect, or bad timing? Having a spotless house, excessive drinking, heightened sex drive to the point of meeting strangers for hook ups, impulsive decisions with bad outcomes. These decisions could be an attempt to relieve stress vs being labelled? That all happened after the stress. Other times mainly only consisted of drugs sex spending stealing and excessive partying really. I just don't understand how someone can determine a dx based on a reaction to stress. Who's to say how a person should react?

Its hard to say without knowing full details, and I am not a pdoc.

I just don't understand how someone can determine a dx based on a reaction to stress. Who's to say how a person should react?

I completely agree with you here. If there has been triggers to this behaviour I really dont agree with pdocs giving a diagnosis. Especially it if it is quite obviously caused by something that has happened in the persons life. Everyones reaction to stress and trauma is different. The issues need to be addressed in therapy to help the patient cope, rather than drugging them up to the eyeballs until next time it happens again and changing drugs everytime the patient has a stress reaction.

It sounds like you are struggling right now

[ChaoticSymphony]

Thanks so much and struggling just with understanding. I appreciate your response

Bipolar mixed states can have the "flavor" of being up/down/all around. Yes - the "rapid cycling" you mentioned.

[ChaoticSymphony]

Thank you all very much for your responses. Much appreciated.

[IndieVisible]

spotless house, excessive drinking, heightened sex drive to the point of meeting strangers for hook ups, impulsive decisions with bad outcomes

Sure this could be hypomania or it could fit a number of any other illnesses too. Specially the drinking and sex, you would pretty much have the cluster B covered there