[sui generis]

It's not often that the media portrays hypomania (if ever) and I've never really heard many examples of it. It's mostly manic episode that are explored in detail.

I'm interested in hearing peoples experiences when they're hypomanic. Specifically with actions, things you did, somatic symptoms, not so much in feelings as I've heard plenty of people describe what they feel when they're hypomanic.

[Crazy Hitch]

Slightly wreck less driving. Not concentrating very much. Taking on many new projects. Listening to music I don't normally listen to like Eminem. Talking confidentially with others when I'm shy. That's my hypomania. I'm not going into my full blown mania.

[tealBumblebee]

My experience is mostly pre-diagnosis because I didn't realize that my "Hyper Teal" moments were likely indicative of 'hypomania' moments. I tend to just have bottled up energy that I can't seem to get out, so I have found myself running through the halls/house because I just have to get it out, sometimes I have to scream to get it out, sometimes I turn my music on full blast and dance alone in my room, I can recall running down a hall and banging on a friends door for absolutely no reason (gratefully they were used to my antics), climbing/jumping on furniture like a child. Less often I will have sleeplessness; I never knew the cause so I just got prepared and stocked up on Sleeptytime Extra - I remember in college having to sit in the dark in our special chair, in silence with four cups of tea to even be able to mildly calm down enough to try to sleep. Occasionally, I have panicky moments but i'm not sure if the anxiety is related to hypomania or depression. It's funny because in high school I attributed my hyperness to my menstrual cycle because my two best friends were always able to tell if I was on my monthly by my activity level. I generally don't have hypomanic moments but a few times a year and they are fairly controllable because I know what i'm doing, I just have less inhibitions for doing them.

[cashart10]

I become hyper religious so I do things like read the Bible numerous times a day, drop to my knees often and pray quickly and passionately out loud like a charismatic preacher, stretching my hands in the air. I will go running singing praise music at the top of my lungs. I too drive way too recklessly, taking very long drives alone and sometimes spend lots (for us) of money we don't have. I also dance around, sometimes most of the day. I will often stop eating. Those are some examples. If I become manic, I will develop religious delusions and my symptoms become more disruptive and intense.

[newtothis31]

When I'm in hypmania mode- I can speed read. People see how fast I turn the page and they literally don't believe that I've read everything.

[jesusplay]

I want people around me, I have self confidence, I can talk to random people, I'm in a great mood, words and thoughts keep coming to me, I want to be president, the future looks bright!

[~Christina]

I am filled with energy , I dont notice my chronic pain as much, I am able to get a million things done , pressured speech... Its a great time .. Until it turns manic then its an ugly angry hate filled mess.

[BipolaRNurse]

I get extremely happy, where EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL and I love EVERYBODY and ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! Every day is the BESTEST DAY EVER! And holy crap, look at all the COLORS!!

Hyperactive, can't sit still, life of the party, pressured speech. Think about sex all the time. Spend too much money, expansive, overly generous. Can't sleep. Can't eat. Don't care.

I become grandiose---the best nurse/writer/human being ever to walk the face of the earth. Everyone loves me. Always in the right place at the right time.

And then.....I get full-blown manic, which never ends well. That's when things get ugly and I'm irritable, pissed-off, and bitter. It's definitely not enjoyable the way hypomania is. If I could, I'd be hypomanic all the time, but of course bipolar doesn't work that way.

[pawn78]

Pretty much exactly waht BPnurse said above.

I am SUPER-CONFIDENT, MOTIVATED, ENERGETIC, CREATIVE, DON'T NEED SLEEP, JOYOUS, RECKLESS, OBSESSED WITH SEX AND PLEASURE, EASILY IRRITATED....BECAUSE EVERYONE AROUND ME ARE COMPLETE IDIOTS!!! I AM A GENIUS YOU KNOW! DID I MENTION I AM GRANDIOSE?

The funny part about my disorder is....I am pretty much this way most of the time.

[Love&Toil]

I get turned on for days at a time, spend money with confidence, get irritable because people around me are idiots.

[mitziez]

My driving is a bit off, I tend to research the hell out of topics, I self diagnosis, my energy level goes up, I find new projects to entertain myself (sewing, knitting, etc.) even though I have never had experience in these outlets.

I get paranoid, can't be in one place at a time, can only focus on myself, speech is fast, anxiety attacks, lose time, difficulty paying attention, and I over commit to stuff. I make decisions that just don't make sense, lose logic, irritability, anger based on a trigger.

[muller1209]

Originally Posted by sui generis

It's not often that the media portrays hypomania (if ever) and I've never really heard many examples of it. It's mostly manic episode that are explored in detail.

I'm interested in hearing peoples experiences when they're hypomanic. Specifically with actions, things you did, somatic symptoms, not so much in feelings as I've heard plenty of people describe what they feel when they're hypomanic.

very productive. but i also get really iritated with people. i think all people are stupid. i start a million projects. i finish a lot of them tho. i read about science and physics. this is my most creative time and I write down a lot of my ideas and research a lot of the ones iveit had in the past. my hypomania is short lived so i try to take advanagte of it. but i do become really iritated thats the only thing so I might not be very fun to be around.

[exclamationpoint]

I buy pets when I'm hypomanic (when I'm manic too). I recently bought a pair of mice. I'm not hypomanic anymore, but I love my mice. They are very sweet.

I'm more social and more interested in dating. I've met most of my past girlfriends during hypomanic episodes. Then the relationship falls apart when I'm depressed.

I talk faster and louder and more. I like to research random things, then I rattle off facts to everyone. I learn a lot when I'm hypo.

In my most recent hypomania, I registered for a bunch of classes on Coursera. Now I'm depressed and haven't done any of the coursework. Good thing they're free.

[Creative1onder]

For me, I have more energy, feel better physically, and feel more confident and interactive with others. I might get restless/irritable, want to do different things, different ideas, set goals, walk and talk faster, and sing and dance.

[Double Edge]

Wow, this is a real eye-opener for me. I can clearly identify many, many, many times where I've experienced pretty much all of these things you all have listed... the extreme happiness, energy, lack of chronic pain, hypersexuality, overspending, way too generous, forgetting to eat, feeling like everyone around me is a total moron and I am superior in every way, full of confidence, social anxiety is gone, drinking too much, I'm the center of attention, *knowing* I am the life of the party, not being able to shut up, interrupting people talking, wanting to stay out all night. I don't know if I'm really helping you out, OP, but this thread is definitely making me feel way less alone with this recent Bipolar I dx. So thank you, all... wow. Intense.

[sui generis]

Originally Posted by Double Edge

Wow, this is a real eye-opener for me. I can clearly identify many, many, many times where I've experienced pretty much all of these things you all have listed... the extreme happiness, energy, lack of chronic pain, hypersexuality, overspending, way too generous, forgetting to eat, feeling like everyone around me is a total moron and I am superior in every way, full of confidence, social anxiety is gone, drinking too much, I'm the center of attention, *knowing* I am the life of the party, not being able to shut up, interrupting people talking, wanting to stay out all night. I don't know if I'm really helping you out, OP, but this thread is definitely making me feel way less alone with this recent Bipolar I dx. So thank you, all... wow. Intense.

Ha-ha yeah it's pretty much why I started the thread I was Dx'd with Bipolar 2 early this year but I found I couldn't relate to people with bipolar because most people only describe their extreme experiences.

But yeah it's comforting to know that I indeed relate to a lot of these experiences. Lack of chronic pain, definitely over spending, major flight of ideas, one time I dropped all my savings on starting a business that failed a few months later when I fell into a deep depression, almost became a call girl even though I'm terrified of sex (idk man I was really obsessed with the idea, it was bizarre), haha and omg the feeling like people are idiots (though I mostly feel that anyway tbh but more so when hypomanic), extremely talkative and I think I'm hilarious, sharing too much personal information etc. Sometimes I would have weird sensations on my arms and legs. Does anyones vision get weird? Environment/objects seen from your peripherals look brighter than usual and things are kind of choppy because you're moving so fast?

But then afterwards it usually ends in a mixed episode

Anyway, keep them coming! It's very interesting to read these experiences and thank you to everyone who has contributed so far

[Love&Toil]

Originally Posted by sui generis

Sometimes I would have weird sensations on my arms and legs.

Me too, sometimes I would feel like there is gritty glass in my veins. Irritable.

[loophole]

I work a ton and bank some serious cash.. buy and fly rc helicopters.. not the cheap ones.. run and lift... go to the boat... go out to eat often... (been so over medicated it's been so long since I've experienced this.. 95 percent horrible depression. ...)

[loophole]

Originally Posted by loophole

I work a ton and bank some serious cash.. buy and fly rc helicopters.. not the cheap ones.. run and lift... go to the boat... go out to eat often... (been so over medicated it's been so long since I've experienced this.. 95 percent horrible depression. ...)

Edit.. I've also went completely psycho.. went off on my boss and had severe road rage etc.. (this is not my usual nature whatsoeve.. I'm very introverted) however those people deserved what they got for bullying me... but... that's not my place to react like that

[sprik]

WOW , I had tons of energy, I was irritated with my kids because they could not keep up with me. I did not know sharing too much info was one, I talked and shared way to much with a guy I liked. I loved it, laughing, having fun, no thinking. Now I am at the other end of it, 100% turn around, and crashed. I don't remember being this depressed in yrs and yrs!!!!!!

[Standup2me]

In hypo
1.Bought 6 full dinner settings for six , we only know three here
2.Bought 19 pairs of high heeled shoes. I work in oilpatch in steeltoes
so I don't have dress
3.One time I got out of my car, asked the car tailgaiting me and playing highway terrorism which one you wants to die first
4. One time I got out of my car and kicked in the door of the car beside me
5. Signed for three university courses at the same...plus working in a job with lots of overtime

[Chupacabra]

Start projects- don't finish. Flight of ideas. Clean house. Pressured speech. Less socially awkward. OCD peaks. Trouble sleeping. Trouble sitting still. Trouble finishing a sentence without starting a new one. Irritable. Limitless energy. Exhaustion then crash.

[Nightside of Eden]

When I'm hypomanic I get obsessed with ideas. Often I'll sincerely believe I can create something new and amazing if I just research X, Y, and Z enough. I feel like I can understand anything and everything. I get obsessed with my research and writing projects and will sometimes work on them as much as 16 hours a day. My thoughts race but feel focused at the same time. I talk even faster than usual. My need for sleep is reduced.

I've never done anything reckless or dangerous while hypomanic. I'm often reluctant to go out because it would take me away from the Big Ideas I'm working on. I do get snappy with people when I don't feel they're keeping up with what I'm saying, and I do annoy people greatly by talking too much, but overall my hypomanias are pretty harmless.

[vans1974]

Originally Posted by sui generis

It's not often that the media portrays hypomania (if ever) and I've never really heard many examples of it. It's mostly manic episode that are explored in detail.

I'm interested in hearing peoples experiences when they're hypomanic. Specifically with actions, things you did, somatic symptoms, not so much in feelings as I've heard plenty of people describe what they feel when they're hypomanic.

Along time ago I was fortunate to use an SSRI to sustain a euphoric hypomania which was wonderful. My mind was nearly photographic, school and work were easy, dating was like a talent, exercise was simple and enjoyable...I was basically on top of the world! Full of confidence and charm! The only negative aspect of it was that more over-confidence would cause me to not to go to class or buy the textbook, and I wouldn't really study for instance, I'd just flirt with a girl and kind of study and play with her. But, since I was too confident, I wouldn't study, so my undergrad grades weren't exceptional. But other than that, I was very functional! I didn't have a problem with spending money or having sex with every hottie, or become delusional like the mania that comes with bipolar I. One last thing, since the euphoric hypomania was so incredible, now there's no middle...everything seems like a low. So, I'm still learning after years how to be happy being depressed if that makes sense. You get to experience both elements of the spectrum; a glorious high, and then the tormented agony of bipolar treatment resistant depression misery!

Now for unknown reasons, I haven't been able to find a euphoric hypomania for years. I get dysphoric hypomania which sucks because, I'm irritable, anxious and discouraged or depressed at the same time...mixed hypomania it's also known as. A friend of mine, is the same way...we both agree that with age the euphoria goes and the dysphoria or depression come much more often and last a lot longer. Hope that helps a bit. Btw we are both bipolar II which is pure hell most of the time now!! One last thing, awhile ago the psycho-stimulants used to also help me also maintain a euphoric hypomania.

Originally Posted by sui generis

I'm interested in hearing peoples experiences when they're hypomanic. Specifically with actions, things you did, somatic symptoms, not so much in feelings as I've heard plenty of people describe what they feel when they're hypomanic.

Electric with energy (which can let loose in either negative or positive ways). Random examples….Jumping up and down in place (can NOT be still). Bouncing across the bed, "Get up! Get up! Get up! Hahahahahaha!!" Talking a mile a minute on several different things, but all mashed together (I'm told it's very hard to follow, lol). Having inappropriate responses, like giggling when someone is talking about something serious, because I just can't stop smiling and laughing. At nothing. Entertaining myself out loud speaking more than one role in the "conversations"(which is something I do often, but usually without laughing so much thinking I am soooo freaking funny.). Cleaning like a thing possessed (ummm, right up to trash, recycling and compost carts that aren't even mine(!) Riding a bike around only standing up. Basically, like a kid on a sugar rush, can't STFU (and no filter) or stay still. Except that it can go on for days or weeks and I'm quite a few decades older than that. I can be extremely amusing (almost as much as I think I am, lol!) and/or annoying.

Or…. it can get ugly. Random examples….Screaming at and wailing on my car because it is stuck in the snow. Then continuing with a tirade against the general population. Screaming at strangers because they are jerks or are stepping on my last nerve with some noise. Kicking hole in wall. Breaking down door because I forgot my keys. Throwing myself into the wall. Almost (TG not) leaving work immediately after getting there to hop back on my bike to chase down a giant RV (lol, there's a visual for ya!)because the old guy driving it pissed me off. Saying exactly what I think. (Undiplomatically, which is uncharacteristic.) Walking over and telling a customer that they needed to leave because it might get busy(!) (Aaaand -- they did! PO'd, they were…) Flailing, throwing and thrashing things when frustrated. I've even bitten my own arm before I knew what was happening(!) (WTF?!!!) Putting speakers in windows blasting punk at neighbors who were having a party, because they had music I couldn't stand, one lady with a super-annoying laugh, and a guy who never STFU (ironic, eh?) It was the combo that sent me and I couldn't shut it out at all.

Things are just sooo amplified. There is waaay too much energy to contain. (I only just barely manage to keep from throwing myself on the floor and writhing because someone is taking too long saying something. But I will be squirming wherever I am, unable to entirely physically hide it.)

Yikes. It's a bit much to see even this much written all together(!) Pretty embarrassing really, but there you have it. (Some of it anyway.) Actions and physicality galore, really. Characteristically, I'm generally shy, unobtrusive, and keep to myself. Can scarcely make even fleeting eye contact.