[Hurre]

What are your thoughts on brainstorming when hypomanic? Can it be done safely? Or is it equivalent to playing with fire, because it may make matters worse? I am bipolar type 2, btw.

The reason for me asking is because when I am hypomanic (or "revved up") I get quite a few good ideas, of which a few are still good once the episode ends. My goal here is to kind of harness the bipolar disorder and make it into something positive. I realise of course that this may be very risky. I am not saying that one should trigger hypomania by choice but I am rather saying that I would like to utilise the brainstorming capabilities that come along with a hypomanic episode for me.

Any thoughts would be most welcome.

[fishin fool]

I am bipolar 2 as well. I believe some of my best and most creative ideas have
come from hypomania. Some of them I still love but I never seem to be able
to figure out how to move forward with those ideas.
I feel lucky that MOST of the time I can distinguish between a good idea and
a bad one. MOST of the time.

[Hurre]

Originally Posted by fishin fool

I am bipolar 2 as well. I believe some of my best and most creative ideas have
come from hypomania. Some of them I still love but I never seem to be able
to figure out how to move forward with those ideas.
I feel lucky that MOST of the time I can distinguish between a good idea and
a bad one. MOST of the time.

Thanks for your reply. Good to hear that someone has similar experiences concerning getting good ideas from hypomania.

Have you tried divergent thinking? It is a kind of out-of-the-box thinking method where you try to generate lots of different ideas and solutions to problems and then you can try narrowing it down and develope the good ideas. You start with quantity and then move to quality. I also find it good to discuss ideas with friends to get new perspectives.

[Hurre]

Originally Posted by Hurre

What are your thoughts on brainstorming when hypomanic? Can it be done safely? Or is it equivalent to playing with fire, because it may make matters worse? I am bipolar type 2, btw.

The reason for me asking is because when I am hypomanic (or "revved up") I get quite a few good ideas, of which a few are still good once the episode ends. My goal here is to kind of harness the bipolar disorder and make it into something positive. I realise of course that this may be very risky. I am not saying that one should trigger hypomania by choice but I am rather saying that I would like to utilise the brainstorming capabilities that come along with a hypomanic episode for me.

Any thoughts would be most welcome.

Does anyone else have any experience with the above?

[Sesiley]

It's according if you act on them...those that are unrealistic ideas that is.

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[Sesiley]

Also, a bunch of ideas and acting on all at once not being able to finish the projects when hypomania subsides

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For me there is no doubt that the creativity and abundance of energy comes from the hypermania. As far as brainstorming, that part is not what is dangerous, rather it is the acting on them and starting them that poses the problems. I have demolished whole parts of my house, pulled my car completely to bits, taken on huge projects at work, only to be totally overwhelmed by them when the mania has subsided, which has then made the depression worse, as what I have started must then be finished whether I feel like it or not. Somehow, to turn it into a positive you need to be aware of how long the mania will last. For me, I usually harness it by cleaning everything within 500 feet of me these days and try to leave it at that