[skatterprank]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to this forum (I've posted in the anxiety forum before).

I was diagnosed with bipolarII last July and it's only now sinking in. I'm on Lamotrogine for it and as it seems not to be doing anything that I can tell as my depression, irritability, and anxiety (I suffer from a separate anxiety disorder) have become unmanageable. My doctor is putting me on a new (to me) SSRI today so fingers crossed.

I'm not sure why I said all that as I have just a simple question (my apologies). How do you differentiate a good mood from a hypomanic episode? I rarely feel happy so when I do, I can't help but wonder if I'm just happy or if it is a harbinger of something bad manifesting since happy can often lead to unwanted behaviour. Does anyone know how to tell the difference?

Thank you and kind regards,

S

[Trippin2.0]

Happiness is an emotion, hypomania is a set of symptoms.

If you look at the list of symptoms and you're checking them off one by one, then yeah, you're probably hypo.

If not, you're happy.

In my book symptoms or episodes only needs addressing if its actually impacting my daily functionality in a negative manner, if it doesn't I just ride it out and if its a good ride I make sure to enjoy it.

[jacky8807]

I second everything she said^^

[franz kafka]

At the beginning of an episode it's hard to tell the difference between hypo and happy, but as things escalate the differences become very obvious. Probably the first difference is that I start doing more pleasurable activities that have negative consequences (drinking at expensive bars I can't afford).

[bizi]

Welcome to the bipolar forums!
bizi

[Wild Coyote]

Welcome to the Bipolar forum!

Hypomania is an overly amplified sense of happiness in my case.

For me, I am more exuberant in a chronic way and more impulsive when I am experiencing hypomania.

Lots of signs/symptoms with hypomania. Definitely not as grounded.


WC

[mossanimal]

I have these exact same thoughts. I go through depressions where I sleep a lot and hate everything. And then it's gone and I'm either normal.. or energetic and love everything and get obsessed with things. When I'm depressed I feel a lot like what you describe. Be careful with the antidepressants. I went mixed and to the hospital trying the SSRI type. If you are indeed bipolar that might cause problems.

[mossanimal]

By the way.. Lamictal monotherapy didn't help with a lot of things when I tried that.. definitely NOT depression. But it did curb my volatilty, angry outbursts (followed by week or more of simmering). Right now I feel like they are finally getting things dialed in with Wellbutrin combined with Lamictal.

[Naynay99]

Hey. I don't think I can always tell the difference until in hindsight.
Is it just I am feeling great after a long depression or is it something more?
My friend said waking up and describing oneself as feeling FUUCKING AMAZING is not a normal human response to being happy. That happy people are too busy being happy and doing stuff and living to notice their mood, but I think maybe that is only true for people who don't suffer from mood issues. But I don't really know.

As my hypomanias have been few and far between and don't escalate into too dangerous territory I just enjoy it when I feel good and try not to overthink feeling good. You will know soon enough if it is more than happy. Be safe, but try not to ruin a good mood state by constantly questioning if it is an emotion or a pathology. Best of luck. Take care.

[mossanimal]

Originally Posted by Naynay99

Hey. I don't think I can always tell the difference until in hindsight.

That is a very good point...