[Bpfroggy]

I haven't really had many of the "positive" experiences during hypomanic episodes, but instead have almost uncontrollable anger, lack of patience (sometimes expressed by self-harm such as hitting) that I am thinking is a different manifestation of hypomania. Has anyone else experienced this aspect of hypomania? I'm curious about how common this is.

[Tucson]

Yes. Most of my hypomania episodes involve agitation, lack of patience, and anger.

[pawn78]

I had a lot of this as well, until I started the Lamictal. Now, my anger and irritability are pretty subdued. I am still manic, but it is much better, a "fun" mania, instead of mixed state, pain and anger, etc.

Sorry, I can't help you more with that, but yes, lots of bipolar people have "mean" mania, and I have as well.

[Mrs. Mania]

Your not alone! I just recently learned that uncontrollable anger is a symptom. I too thought mania was only a high, and that my bouts of rage were something else going on. I haven't had a high for months, but the anger.......oh, the ugly anger. It actually chokes me when I try to speak garbling my words. My eyesight blurs, it feels like electric is running through my veins instead of blood. Most miserable thing I experience. For me and all living things in my house. Paxil is the only thing that helps, when on it, I have happy mania. My old pdoc wanted me off it, but it keeps me "happy" crazy vs. " mean" crazy. I guess he got his way, I don't have any, which is why it's happening. I feel I could possibly hurt someone when it's at its worst so I touch nothing living and lock myself in a room. Hopefully I will get my paxil back next month and quiet the beast.

[bleutamales]

I had a bad hypomanic episode of this this morning and it scared me. I had a tailgater on the way to pick up groceries and in a massive bout of road rage (which I don't usually have) I braked hard in front of him causing to almost hit me. Then I came home and yelled at my husband. This is the usual hypomania for me. I rarely get the happy mania. I don't want any of it but happy would definitely be better.

[ceramichornets]

Well, now I know that I this is a symptom of hypomania as well.

Lamictal has also helped me a great deal. I still get irrationally angry/irritated from time to time, but it's a lot better than it was. It helps to have patient people around you.

[BipolaRNurse]

I don't usually get angry/irritated until I hit the cusp of mania....hypo is usually a lot of fun for me. I also become hostile sometimes during bouts of depression. Either way, it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be before meds; my temper used to be downright dangerous, and how I escaped assault charges on more than one occasion, I don't know. I've never physically beat on anyone, but I've threatened harm with garden tools and other weapons. Not to mention what comes out of my mouth.....yeah, I was a raging biatch before I was medicated. It's even been the subject of jokes between me and my pdoc: "OK, so you didn't kill anybody or get banned from any websites last week? Good!"

[Raindropvampire]

YES!! It's why I disagreed with my diagnosis for so long. I've seen my mom and my sister when they were manic and they were on top of the world, everything's wonderful, full of energy and life.

With me I get manic and I can't sleep for a few days and EVERYTHING peeves me off royally. Can't count the number of holes I have punched or kicked in our walls. Shrink says it just goes that way for some of us. I thought great not only am I bipolar AND spend most of my time so depressed I want to blip out of existence but I don't EVER get any of the "good" feelings it can bring.

[Mamabug1981]

Wow, I feel lucky now. I only get the angry stuff during my depressive phases. Up phases for me are generally top of the world feelings and paranoia.

[Wander]

I get both types of hypomania - the fun one and the crazy irritable angry one. Mostly I get the irritable one, to my dismay. When I am really unwell the agitation and irritability know no bounds. I am almost out of control and do get that way on rare occasions. This symptom was much worse before I started Lithium. Recently I had to stop the Lithium while I was having ECT and bam, back came the irritability and rage. It was a welcome reminder of why I take Lithium.

[unsure989]

I recently went through this big time. However, it was very knew to me as angry, irrational, irritable is not my behavior. This went on for weeks, I researched and asked and talked no one knew the answer. I'm not sure if it was from mania, mixed state, or the meds. My meds are fairly new , been on it about 6 months, but they said it was abnormal to get that reaction from the med. I went off it recently and i'm no longer this raging lunatic.

[Bpfroggy]

Thanks everyone - it's good to hear I'm not alone. I doubted my diagnosis of bipolar for a while because I don't show the "typical" hypomanic symptoms, but I guess we are all different in how the illness expressed itself....

[lilypup]

I get angry at times at my kids...26, 23, and 20 although they can be real jerks at times and deserve it. I also take it out on my husband but once again he deserves it at times. During my normal or depressive phase I am pretty easy going and let a lot of things slide. When I am hypo I call them on things and they do not like it. I've never threatened anyone, but I do get angry and slam doors, etc.

[OutlawedSpirit]

I too tend to have a very short fuse when I'm hypo. Although I'm getting better at cutting my interactions off with people before I blow up, it still happens.

[Disorder7]

For years I didn't think I was bipolar because I never experienced the happy mania. Just the swing from depression to rage. I've mentioned it on here before, I get euphoric rage. Not all of the time. Only when I'm having an episode.

[Dix888]

my fits of anger seem to be directly related to depression. I seldom get the depressive end of bipolar but when I do, I get angry at the entire world. Noise sets off the anger, just any little thing people do....

Originally Posted by Bpfroggy

I haven't really had many of the "positive" experiences during hypomanic episodes, but instead have almost uncontrollable anger, lack of patience (sometimes expressed by self-harm such as hitting) that I am thinking is a different manifestation of hypomania. Has anyone else experienced this aspect of hypomania? I'm curious about how common this is.

[wiretwister]

racing thoughts this time and I catch myself yelling at the tv,,, so far just ihat not at people yet,,, exstream paranoia . and fear of failure,,,, doughted my dx but there it ts...for all to see..AND i just upped my lamictal and geodon..

[Love&Toil]

I'm sorry but it's such a relief to find other people who go through the same thing as me. My "up" is irritable, angry and I feel like people around me are IDIOTS. That's a signal to me that something is probably going on.
I also get this thing where I'll be turned on for like 3-4 days at a time, all day. It's a yummy feeling but also restless.

[allvr00]

I'm new to the bipolar 2 concept. I've always been diagnosed with depression and some anxiety. Recently being diagnosed as bipolar 2 instead of depression. i always thought my irritability and anger and lack of patience were part of depression - first signs of depression. so I'm so confused what is what anymore. All I know is I'm miserable and moods are swinging.