[blackwhitered]

I'm just wondering because I've been told that negative events/stress can trigger depressed episodes in bipolar (or unipolar) people, and I've also been told that both negative and "positive stressors" can trigger a manic episode, but I've never had anyone actually explain what a "positive stressor" is...
I've been misdiagnosed with BPD before (I don't meet the criteria about abandonment, emptiness, low self-esteem, I very rarely self-harm, and my moods typically last a minimum of several days) but I believe it's possible I have had hypomania that was brought on or enhanced by positive events going on in my life... usually things like getting assigned a project I was looking forward to, entering an academic competition I was excited about, having the opportunity to design elaborate costumes for various events, etc. Things I liked to do. But this is something generally associated with BPD. Anyone know for sure?

Stress brings on episodes for me, it doesnt matter if it is "positive" or "negative" stress, any stress does it.

I have never had a good or exciting event trigger hypomania, but positive events do help keep a positive mindset, which is enjoyable. When Life flows, it is awesome. Good mood is a normal reaction to good events. Life going well does not equal hypomania for me.

[buddha2014]

Even though sometimes not noticeably, hypomania or highs can follow a positive stressor. I don't know if it is ok to call it a "positive stressor", but good news, little bitty success, acclamation etc could bring down a hypomanic state.

Additional Tips on what could be done:

Be prepared when you are supposed to hear a good news. Observe your feelings when somebody is praising you. Notice if you are trying to say so many things in such a fast manner.

Being aware of the state of the mood is the first step towards overcoming it.

Make sure you are not missing any dose of lithium.( As long as you are on drugs).

Slow down your nerve. Do some breathing exercise. The simplest one is like this: Be in a comfortable position(preferably sit down). Close your eyes. Take a deep breath on a count of 7-9(seconds). Hold onto it for 7 count. Then release it slowly on a count of 14-18. If you are short of breathe, use 5,5,10. Or 4,4,8. The point is doubling the length of exhaling time.

While doing this, feel the chill of the air when it enters your nostril during inhalation, and the warmth of the leaving air during exhalation.

Do this as many times as possible.

Appreciate the good news, thank your lord and set a next plan that will remind you of your burden ahead.

it's happened to me a number of times.

something exciting will happen, then boom. i'll be up their

[JoyDivision7680]

I was thinking about this last night during an episode I believe it was triggered by (don't laugh) me and my father watching a few videos of bands like The Who, The Doors, The Beatles in a tv show. That -or the music- somehow triggered it and, for 30 minutes, I was playing darts alone like a maniac (ups)

[A Red Panda]

Yeah, sometimes I get triggered. If I have a consistent pattern of good things going on, then I'll probably head into an up (so, if I'm very busy with something). If I feel overwhelmed I might head into a depression from it.

Typically one event won't trigger me into an episode. It takes a pattern.

[winter4me]

Originally Posted by blackwhitered

I'm just wondering because I've been told that negative events/stress can trigger depressed episodes in bipolar (or unipolar) people, and I've also been told that both negative and "positive stressors" can trigger a manic episode, but I've never had anyone actually explain what a "positive stressor" is...
I've been misdiagnosed with BPD before (I don't meet the criteria about abandonment, emptiness, low self-esteem, I very rarely self-harm, and my moods typically last a minimum of several days) but I believe it's possible I have had hypomania that was brought on or enhanced by positive events going on in my life... usually things like getting assigned a project I was looking forward to, entering an academic competition I was excited about, having the opportunity to design elaborate costumes for various events, etc. Things I liked to do. But this is something generally associated with BPD. Anyone know for sure?

I have had this happen to me. And, I can tell you it annoys me when someone is bothered by it and points it out (as in "it was as if you couldn't stop talking...") because it feels GOOD to be happy, excited about something, whether it is a sudden "insight" during a conversation, or the joy of being given liberty to do something that truly interests me.
I also fear it. I know that, as a child (and adult), my mother (now gone) would become quietly negative, squashing, whenever I would get excited about something (dancing, music, an idea...). But, she also became angry when someone complimented something creative I had done, it was all very confusing....think I'll stop before I spin out.

[thickntired]

Yes absolutely positive life changing events can cause mania. I had one of my worst manic episodes the week after I got married. That was a fun one to explain.

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[thickntired]

(((Hugs))) to Winter ♥

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[Mandysue]

my first manic episode i had started a new job and had been promoted to a new position which was very exciting so I dunno if it caused the episode but it all happened at the same time, so maybe...I know my first episode I was super happy

[Revu2]

Hi BWR,

After a shattering experience where a string of successes led to mania led to a devastating mistake I did some research and uncovered a string of research papers on a sub-set of mania called success-triggered mania.

Once I read through several academic papers and reflected on my life events I could see the pattern fit my experiences. I could also tally up many of the high costs of having it.

I've written some posts here on how I've been going after healing it. There is a way to see Revu2 posts on the forum or try google: site[colon]psychcentral.com revu2

One annoyance is now 7 months later I feel like I've got a stronger inner self to avoid successes triggering me, the external life is all a mess from the last crisis, and may be for a long, long time or even never fully reparable. I now toggle tween some hope that working to repair all this is worthwhile vs despair because nothing is guaranteed.

One bright spot is I've learn a whole lot in the past 210 days and am willing to share but only if you are genuinely interested. I've paid a high price for this and don't want to waste anyone's time.

[wing]

I certainly got manic during some positive life events, but I think my social anxiety was jacked up to such a high level that may have been a cause. The vicious cycle theory...

Absolutely, yes!

I've had hypomanias. Regular manias. But I never went off the deep end -- not until I moved out of my crappy little town across the sea, in with my loving boyfriend. I had a year & a half STRAIGHT almost of psychosis. Manic, depressed, etc. It was intense & scary & overwhelming, but I came out of it okay!!

[primetimetush1]

Basically:

Life events involving goal-attainment (accepted to grad school), but not general positive events, can induce mania, but they are unrelated to changes in depression.

Negative life events (eg. death of close relative) can increase depression, but do not appear to induce mania.

Johnson, S. L., Sandrow, D., Meyer, B., Winters, R., Miller, I., Solomon, D., & Keitner, G. (2000). Increases in manic symptoms after life events involving goal attainment. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109(4), 721.

Johnson, S. L. (2005). Life events in bipolar disorder: towards more specific models. Clinical psychology review, 25(8), 1008-1027.