[UrbanShaman]

I do it by drinking, then having energy drinks. I know that this probably isn't the healthiest way to go about things, but I do it infrequently enough (once every couple months) that it is not really habit. And it's mor of a third to last resort.
Anyone else do this?

[ChaoticSymphony]

No but thanks for the tips lol

[quasicrystalline]

Unintentionally, yet somewhat intentionally. Hard to explain. I don't think I cognitively plan to trigger mania, yet find myself drawn to actions and things that might precipitate it.

Sleep is my primary trigger—or lack of sleep to be exact—and I know it. Sometimes I'll have a week or two period where I can sleep if I attempt to, but I'll get so engrossed in writing a story or watching something on TV, I'll stay up later. I always tell myself one night isn't going to hurt me, and then days later, I've done this six nights in a row and I'm headed for disaster.

Basically, the more I feed into this, intentionally or unintentionally, the more I'll trip up, up, up. BUT not always in a good way. Occasionally, I'll get annoyed with myself when the not sleeping is no longer a choice, but rather the main symptom. If I go mixed over manic, or maybe just really dysphoric mania, being unable to sleep drives me nuts. If I'm euphoric manic, however, I take it as a blessing to pursue new activities or a superpower that I can go without sleep while others have to. I always HOPE I'll get the happy high when I do this, but it's like playing Russian roulette with my brain. It took a lot of introspection to uncover this pattern, but it definitely seems to be my mania/mixed trigger. I wish I could just induce hypomania and never go mixed.

Speaking of energy drinks, even small amounts of caffeine can trigger me. If I'm depressed, no effect. Normal, can handle small doses, but if I'm anywhere remotely manic, I can't even handle what's in chocolate it seems like.

[BipolaRNurse]

I think you explained it just fine. I've been guilty of doing similar things to "accidentally on purpose" induce hypomania. Stupid of me I know, but sometimes I can't resist playing with fire!

[~Christina]

Just a question... Do you feel to flat all the time? maybe your over medicated ? I have been snowed under in the past to where I would poke a big stick at my bipolar because the "flat" became to much.

[Mrs. Mania]

Yep, I also play with this fire too often. I do it by not taking sleep meds. I also take in a lot of caffeine. The more I drink, the faster I zoom.

[butterflypower]

Caffiene!!

[themuna]

I do it. I have stopped drinking and doing any other "hard" drugs (legal or illegal). I don't even have caffeine more than a couple of times a month in general. However, Every once in a while, I will pound down some red bull before going out to just feel that crazy stir up.

I really only take melatonin every so often to help sleep and I've established a few good habits so I guess I've been somewhat disturbed by the flat as well. Sometimes, I just want a bit of a rush, that level of drive and passion that I already know to be evil. So I go out when I haven't slept enough and/or drink red bull.

Maybe we each just need to schedule some vacation time. Go somewhere a little different and be a little crazy with no schedule for a few days. Nothing criminal or overly dangerous (a little danger isn't the worst thing )

[secretgalaxy]

Caffeine all the way!!! Did it today, oops

[jacky8807]

Nothing i think besides extreme stress or playing with meds really triggered mania for me
It usually just comes when it wants but close to an autumn/spring sorta schedule
But when im already going tht way...caffeine no sleep
Going out keeps that train a rollin

I boost my AD by 10 mg. I'll feel it in several hours!

[Nammu]

Lack of sleep. I have sleep meds now, but I'll give myself some excuse not to use them, or use DVDs I'll watch a movie instead of going to bed, or use a book, got finish it before I sleep.....lots of excuses to not sleep

Now that I'm accepting that, yes I'm BP I'm better about getting my sleep. There's something strangely empowering about accepting the label.

[MotherMarcus]

Not deliberately only because my hypomania is the irritable, angry type. No fun at all.

[Mrs. Mania]

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

I boost my AD by 10 mg. I'll feel it in several hours!

Yeah, I'm guilty of that method also.

[Skywalking]

The one manic-ish episode I can identify was horrible and I never want to feel out of control like that again. It scared me to death. It was a combination of dreadful life events that induced it, so I definitely don't want to go trying to induce it again like that.