[ozzy1313]

The behaviors I have now are no different than the ones I have had for years but now I stop and analyze every thought I have and wonder if it is BP driven or just is. Before I never thought about it at all and it was just me.

I have been painting every room in my house obsessively for weeks now. Before I would have thought "cool, I'm getting stuff done". Now I think "is this hypomania?" My behaviors aren't so different from "normal" people so why can't I just BE without over thinking?

When I get frustrated at something am I just frustrated or is it something else? UGH!! I think I liked it better before dx when I wasn't thinking about my brain every second.

[Mountainbard]

I've been experiencing something similar since my dx earlier this year, ozzy. I've been overthinking things and way too concerned I'll move into hypomania. The fact is my meds are working well and I'm finding out what it's like to be stable for the first time maybe ever. That takes some getting used to. So remember-- you are normal. You aren't average. Be gentle with yourself and enjoy your productivity.

[Fuzzybear]

[BipolaRNurse]

It takes a while to learn how to distinguish "normal" emotions and reactions from bipolar mood swings. I didn't really get it until a few months ago, and I've been diagnosed for almost three years. Sometimes life just sucks, and the bad feelings that come with it are merely situational. And sometimes extra energy is exactly that, not mania. However, you need to be aware that situational depression/mania can turn into the real thing if unchecked.

I know it's a pain in the butt to do "gut checks" every day, but it's necessary in the early going. When you get stable, you can relax your vigilance a bit.....it's not healthy to think about your bipolar all the time. You'll eventually find a balance, but it takes time and perseverance. Wishing you the very best.

[~Christina]

BipolarRn nailed it !

[Love&Toil]

Very relevant musings OP.

[Victoria'smom]

When I first started therapy I thought about it all the time. Since I got to oh, well it's just me.

[cjb221177]

similar situation Ozzy. I got my diagnosis a few weeks back and i get easily frustrated because i keep questioning myself as to whether i'm being super productive or manic ... I also tend to ruminate on my previous manic episodes and wonder how i didn't spot them before now. I've been treated for depression for seven years and only now that i'm on the right meds do i feel normal again. I hope in time we can begin to stop this constant questioning of ourselves and by the sound of it we will but it will take time. I like Mountainbards philosophy ... enjoy the productivity!