[Ellie_jo]

What things do you do or feel that tip you off to an impending hypo or manic episode? Just various how everyone's experience varies. You're all wonderful.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I know I"m in trouble when I stop sleeping. Usually others know a few days before that. They see rapid speech, racing thoughts that I can't keep up with while talking so my speech becomes broken and sometimes makes no sense, I can't be still, I get extremely sensitive to noises, etc. Once those things are pointed out then I am usually able to stay aware of them.

[hahayeahtotallylol]

Having sporadic moments where i seriously consider if i am approaching an episode, and start to plan ahead, for example, block my credit card, just in case.

Then all of a sudden, i spring up out of bed one morning, and the rest is history.

Lack of sleep is my biggest indicator.

And my vision is noticeably different. Very vivid, and intense.

I also find myself laughing a lot more easily and am extremely friendly. At least at first.

[xRavenx]

When I get extremely fixated on different projects and ideas I have, then it is definitely a warning sign that I'm getting manic. Also, feeling confident about all these plans that I have, along with lack of sleep=mania is on its way.

[hahayeahtotallylol]

Do you guys ever get head fuzzes? I got head fuzzes last week and it felt nice and warm. I think that might be a sign for me too.

[Ellie_jo]

Originally Posted by hahayeahtotallylol

Do you guys ever get head fuzzes? I got head fuzzes last week and it felt nice and warm. I think that might be a sign for me too.

What are head fuzzes? How would you describe them?

[Unconventionalones]

Can you do anything to combat the sleeplessness?

[OctobersBlackRose]

Lack of sleep without feeling tired (different than insomnia in my depression states), staying awake for 36hrs straight and up to 4 days with maybe 5hrs of sleep total. Faster speech, racing thoughts, more goal.directed things like applying for jobs I'm not qualified for or can't do due to my vision impairment, I actually went on an interview for a dog grooming position that I wasn't qualified for due to my vision impairment, and went to the interview on know 1-2hrs of sleep, applying to school with no intention to go once I crash. Feeling abnormally happy, having dance parties in my room late at night, cleaning my house at 3am. The world looks more vibrant, colors pop out more, music is more vibrant, I can hear All the instruments in each song I listen to. I become more sensitive to noise, light, smells, taste etc. More impulsive spending. There's more, but I can't think of them off the top of my head.

[hahayeahtotallylol]

Originally Posted by Ellie_jo

What are head fuzzes? How would you describe them?

It's like a slow static feeling in your brain for 3 or 4 seconds, in the same area as a brain freeze but warm and not uncomfortable.
Actually one of mine last week lasted almost a minute.
Fuzzy!

[wildcat04]

Originally Posted by hahayeahtotallylol

It's like a slow static feeling in your brain for 3 or 4 seconds, in the same area as a brain freeze but warm and not uncomfortable.
Actually one of mine last week lasted almost a minute.
Fuzzy!

Is it a numbing feeling ?? I do that and I'm always scared I'm getting a head ache or going to have a stroke or heart attack or some serious problem.

[jacky8807]

Besides little need for sleep my mood starts going way up. I don't usually catch it but when I do I don't want it to stop

I know I am transitioning into hypo/mania when:

I become fidgety and irritable.
I have a sudden motivation and inspiration to paint - and the results are fabulous
I have less patience and I need instant gratification. I spend any money I have.
I talk more quickly

[Ellie_jo]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

I know I am transitioning into hypo/mania when:

I become fidgety and irritable.
I have a sudden motivation and inspiration to paint - and the results are fabulous
I have less patience and I need instant gratification. I spend any money I have.
I talk more quickly

That's where I am right now

[Ellie_jo]

Originally Posted by hahayeahtotallylol

It's like a slow static feeling in your brain for 3 or 4 seconds, in the same area as a brain freeze but warm and not uncomfortable.
Actually one of mine last week lasted almost a minute.
Fuzzy!

Can't say I've ever felt anything like that! Thanks for sharing!

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by Unconventionalones

Can you do anything to combat the sleeplessness?

I have PRNs to help immediately and am to contact my pdoc if I go 3 days without substantial rest. Otherwise not much helps and it usually takes a lot to knock me out when I get there.

[hahayeahtotallylol]

Originally Posted by wildcat04

Is it a numbing feeling ?? I do that and I'm always scared I'm getting a head ache or going to have a stroke or heart attack or some serious problem.

Sort of yeah. Or like on fire but not burning just warm. Static, fuzzy are the best adjectives for my experience

I'll initiate conversations with strangers in public. Like in the grocery line.

I have a running jukebox in my head 24/7 except I don't select the songs. They play all the time, though.

People tell me I'm talking extremely fast. I don't realize it unless someone tells me and I'm unable to talk more slowly.

I know I'm there when the world feels like my personal playground. Bad, bad, bad.

[annielovesbacon]

Sleep is the number one indicator for me, for both ends of the spectrum. I know I'm slipping into hypomania first when I start staying up all night because I don't need sleep and I spring up early in the morning (which I NEVER do otherwise -- I am not a morning person). Starting crazy projects is the next sign -- usually it's staying up all night working on them! Also, not being able to sit still or concentrate. Once I reach the point of pacing all night, the rest is history...

[xRavenx]

When getting hypomanic, I am more social, affectionate, sexual, creative. I usually have more confidence than normal. I start making a lot of plans for the future and feel everything is going to go great, when really I'm setting myself up for disaster. I get lost in my thoughts, daydreaming, writing a lot of stuff that later makes little sense. I hear music going on in my head a lot, especially before bed.....along with hearing conversations and having racing thoughts and so many ideas, so little time. I do not want to sleep at all and feel pressure to stay up. I usually have bouts of euphoria during this time, but sometimes irritability when others do not "get" me or things aren't going my way. Once it turns into actual mania, the anxiety/agitation spikes, and things spiral downhill further from there, painting a different, unpretty picture to say the least.....

[Ellie_jo]

Why do we even need sleep? What a waste of time

[Hawk Heart]

I have to agree with all the posts regarding the pre-manic symptoms. I've had them all. I would include high creativity, grandiose thoughts (eg: I'm richer than anyone), not taking environment into consideration so that I am disruptive and thoughtless, and thinking about activities that were triggers in my past episodes: gambling (even just a poker game) and dressing up like I was going to a fashion show. Pretty good signs that I'm on a slippery slope.

Getting therapy and having family and/or friends who are honest and observant really helps those who aren't always aware of what's happening. Therapy IMO is crucial. And of course, staying with the program, like taking your prescribed meds, only as prescribed, and only those that are prescribed.

Enough from me. Good health

[Miss Laura]

I start getting antsy (ants in my pants)...... fidgetty....... restless......

I get annoyed at myself cause I want to do stuff but I haven't quite got the motivation to do stuff

I feel light as a feather

Will need to think of other's though as I am sure there are more

[hahayeahtotallylol]

Yeah I always exhibitionistic

Always voyeuristic

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

Sleep is affected in that it takes longer for my meds to kick in or I'm waking up earlier than is normal. Mine is a slow start and that is why it's hard to catch mine. I also start entertaining the idea of going back to addictive behavior even though I know the consequences could be disastrous. I had a minor manic episode today. I told my husband what I did right when he got home and he wasn't mad but concerned. He said that he had been watching me this week because I had been over-the-top with my reactions to things and talking a lot.

[Ellie_jo]

Gotta thank everyone for their input