[MusicLover82]

I get confused about whether or not I'm hypo or just normal/happy.

I've been suffering from mostly OCD symptoms lately, so I worry a lot and obsess a lot. So, when I'm in a good mood for once, I feel like I may be hypo. But if I were really honest with myself, I think I've been mildly depressed with OCD most of the time, and then other times feeling normal/happy.

Does anyone else deal with this or something similar? Thanks!

P.S. I saw my pdoc today, and he's upping my Lexapro from 5 mg to 10 mg. I have only taken Lexapro for about 3 weeks so far.

[pirilin]

Hi Music,
Hypo could be just part of your personality. It's part of mine. Take care. Luv.

[Wild Coyote]

I deal with so much depression and physical pain in a chronic sense that I, too, have some difficulty distinguishing between "normal"/"happy" and hypo. My psychiatrist often challenges me when I say I'm feeling hypo. because he sometimes feels I am not experiencing hypo, it's more the fact the depression has simply lifted.


WC

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

My psychiatrist often challenges me when I say I'm feeling hypo. because he sometimes feels I am not experiencing hypo, it's more the fact the depression has simply lifted.


WC

I agree with this.

I usually monitor my sleep to help me figure out if I'm hypo or not, so maybe that's something that could help? But also, I *think* (not 100% sure) it's rare to be hypo immediately after a depressive episode. I've heard of crashing, but not the reverse... but it's technically possible I suppose.

It's also possible to be hypo on a normal amount of sleep, but I'm terrible at identifying hypo when I'm like that

---

Hopefully you can figure it out, though. Be careful if you're hypo

[Theresa1991]

My ex-boyfriend answered when I asked him if he ever perceived me as hypo that at times I dod an awful lot but that his impression was that I just saw what was possible after long times of depression. I kind of agree and that is why now I see the difference more clearly, because now I obviously don't just see what is possible but I am so wired and overly active that it has nothing to do with coming out of depression.

[xRavenx]

For me, it gets difficult to distinguish whether depression is just lifting, or if it's the calm before the storm, where true, undeniable hypomania begins. I think with most of us who have Bipolar, we are sensitive to little 'cues' that make us wonder if an episode is starting, or if it's just a normal state of mind where elevation is part of our natural baseline.

You say you are happy, and from your post, it sounds like you are in a pretty good place and not in an episode, so I would say it's best to stay in-the-moment, enjoy the good times, and try not to worry!