Hypomania: physical sensations

We hear about mental and emotional signs/symptoms of hypomania. We learn about behavioral actions of these things. But I don't hear much about how it feels in your body PHYSICALLY. Skin, heart, muscles, that kind of thing. I say this as a psychiatric patient (Mostly GAD and an as of yet undiagnosed sleep disorder) and as a medical practitioner. And I'm interested in this both intellectually and because my husband and I both suspect I might be experiencing mild hypomanic episodes

When I had what I initially thought were hypomanic episodes, my psychiatrist and I wrote it off as an almost euphoric effect of adrenaline from the anxiety itself...largely because these episodes were too short to really make the cut for a hypomanic episode. But also perhaps because I wasn't really indulging in any risky behaviors that often go along with it.

But I've noticed since then I have had similar episodes and I have not had anxiety that's triggered it. my anxiety has been very well managed. But I might start out, say sitting down to paint in the evening. and I get hyper-involved with that and might end up painting for 4-6 hours and not go to sleep until 3 or 4 am. And I'm often feeling euphoric, getting a very physical high from the process. It has lasted into the next day or two sometimes though really never longer than that.

But the physical sensations: I feel like nerves are all really sensitized. like a brush of wind on my skin feels intensely enjoyable. I'll be more emotional.....a lot of nostalgia for old friends, a pet who died, etc. But even in feeling a more intense missing of them it is in a way feels like a good feeling, simply enjoying feeling more intensely and more deeply.

When I first started having full blown panic attacks a couple years ago I'd have them first thing in the morning, or I'd wake up in the middle of the night. Sometimes even without a panic attack, I'd just wake up VERY alert. Which was out of the norm for me (as I said, probable sleep disorder. In any other context outside of these "high" episodes I do not wake alert). To the point that even where I hated the panic attacks I liked waking up ready to start the day.

I would for for brisk long walks which helped " burn up" the extra energy. There'd be times that my body would just be humming with energy, where I felt like I could break into a smile and punch a wall at the same time. Not because I was angry or anything..but because both actions felt like a release of that intense energy.

So anyway that's my experience. I'm not terribly worried because outside of those anxiety induced episodes, these times have been rather enjoyable and not terribly detrimental to my life. But I did think I'd mention it to my psychiatrist when I see her next week

Blood pounding. Heart racing. No pain where pain used to be.

Breathing shallow. Unless paying attention.

Alert, but wanting to skip around. Can't feel calm with one thing.

Getting impulsive. Wanting to get in touch with people you know are bad for you, but feeling thrilled.

YOu might like the high but do you like the anxiety,I'm just a nutcase so don't takw my word for it but I know this experience. It's great isn't it and I sometimes feel a sensation that everying and everyone is sparkly and then I wnat to save the world and have everyones as happy as me. Only last time that happened. 2 weeks dropped out of my life I cannot remember them apparently I went into a strangers house I did a whole bunch of crazy stuff and had a nigh tin a posh hotel. I wish I could have filmed myself. I must have been hilarious.My sister said I was a bag lady. I ended up in hospital. It's fun while it lasts though. and it;s great that you are creative but you can still be that way and not obsessive and being anxiouss nks and tah goes hand in hand. But you are blessed to have talent. Good luck. I hope you get some sleep. I can't.

It's like a rush of wind is at my ears and in the center of my soul..swelling up of euphoria..a tingle up from the toes until it reaches my brain

I feel like the sensations you describe are about what hypomania feels like as far as euphoria. I personally feel physically driven towards extreme behavior. Like I'll scream if I don't run, drive, drink faster. When I do get going in those things, I feel like I'm literally going to float away which I then find uncontrollably hilarious. I also need to break things/hit things. And my appetite disappears. And sleep starts to feel like torture.

Oh me too. I feel physically driven to TROUBLE lol