[hahayeahtotallylol]

Can anyone explain why when depressed i crave alcohol, but when in an up mood i crave stimulants?
And, does this happen to you as well?

I crave all things when manic and nothing when depressed.

[hahayeahtotallylol]

Do you get hungry too?
A lot of people lose their appetite, because possibly they forget to eat or whatever it is, but i personally eat More.
And you?

[Wander]

I crave alcohol both when manic and depressed, but more when manic. When manic I do drink a lot of coffee and would probably take illegal stimulants if given the opportunity in a way to make me higher. I am on Ritalin but it actually calms me and I don't abuse it as I promised my pdoc I wouldn't.

I think the cravings are a way for us to try manage mood states but drug and alcohol abuse only makes things worse.

[Rabbity9]

Huh. I definitely want alcohol during both sides of my moods, but in different ways. When I'm depressed, it's to help dull my negative thoughts and make it easier for me to interact with other people. When I'm up, I like it because it tastes good for one thing, and I love all pleasant sensations. I also sometimes feel very, very sped up, with a lot of psychomotor agitation and feeling like my body is out of control, so having a depressant like alcohol kinda dulls me back into a nice, euphoric state, and I can party all night without getting sleepy and have a wonderful time. When I'm in a normal mood, not depressed or up, I don't drink as much.

One thing I do crave more when up is cigarettes. Since I don't normally smoke and have no tolerance, nicotine is very stimulating to me, even moreso than caffeine, and I love the rush of it when hypo. I think it's just because being up often feels really great, and stimulants can prolong and intensify the feeling.

As far as food, I can eat both more and less when hypo. If there's food in front of me that I like, I can mindlessly eat all of it because I'm just enjoying the taste, or if someone suggests going out to dinner, then I think it's the best idea in the world. But if I'm on my own with no food in my direct sight, I'm usually quite content and don't feel compelled to seek anything out, so I'll go all day before realizing I haven't eaten anything.

Sometimes I eat more and sometimes I lose my appetite. It depends on the swing.

I use alcohol for anxiety. When depressed I want nothing. My depressions are pretty close to catatonic. I might have drank in the past when functionally depressed but mostly it calmed my anxiety....social, situational, general

[hahayeahtotallylol]

@Everyone, about alcohol

On second thought, i think i used most when mixed or changing states.

I tend to eat more right before an upswing, and it usually continues into hypomania. Or at the very least, consumption in general (energy drinks, etc)

[Wander]

Oh, I definitely drink alcohol when mixed. The craving is overwhelming as I am trying to calm my mind and give myself a 'mini holiday' My tolerance goes up too so I rarely feel drunk, not that that is my goal. I just want to escape. If I am i a social (hypo/manic) mood I tend to go out and drink heaps with friends. But that is rare as I have fe friends.

[hahayeahtotallylol]

Yes i too used to go out and drink when hypo but now it is more of drinking and recording myself singing a lot to songs by myself

[BipolarMama31]

On an up swing I crave stimulants!
Extra adderall, coffee, cigs.

I used to combine alcohol with klonopin when depressed or mixed. I don't drink anymore tho.