Impulsive behavior

Recently, I found myself doubling the speed limit and overtaking across solid center lines, even though I was not in a rush.

I was aware of impetuous behavior as a symptom of bipolar mania, but feel stable right now. I didn't have anything to which I attributed the reckless driving, but I convinced myself it had nothing to do with the disorder. Having read the following article, I'm not so sure. The thing I do know, and had already spent time on, is that I must reign in my driving habits. I don't want to hurt someone, and so far I have been lucky not to.

I'm open to suggestions as to how I train myself to slow down and follow the rules of the road.

This is the article I read which makes me believe it may be connected.
Bipolar and Controlling Impulsivity | bpHope - bp Magazine Community

Vertigo,
I am terrified to drive and ride in cars. If you were speeding around me, and crossing lines and stuff, I would absolutely panic. Try to breathe and remember the people in the other cars might be bipolar and have problems. Try to help them out by driving safely.

My pdoc also told me once when I was manic to pull over into a parking lot until i felt safe. Don't keep driving.

Thank you, Lil, that's a good point. I have not considered how I impact others as I do this. I can keep that in mind.

Omg....that picture of the guy on the tricycle is hilarious!

I started reading the article and then realized I was being impulsive in doing so!

Seriously...

Kind of

I fall into the same category here. I have made some rather unhealthy, risky choices over the years and can attribute them to my bipolar. It is scary to think what I'm capable of when I am not in my right mind. I try to black out those moments in time otherwise I just obsess over them. I avoid certain areas by my work because they will trigger thoughts and feelings that I try desperately to suppress. Those are the walls I put around myself to avoid falling into traps I have previously sprung.

It's one of the many reasons I have been looking for another job for well over a year now. I think a change in environment, one that isn't a haven for illicit activities, would do me some good.

I've always been impulsive and I've wondered how this fits in to everything since I'm not always hypo when I make impulsive decisions. I've been curious of what other traits exist outside of the manic and depressed sides of the spectrum that are attributed to bipolar during stability. If that makes sense...

I need to change my middle name to impulsive!!!!!!!!!!!!

Same here I become very impulsive when I am hypo and I have driven crazy
far to many times. I really work on that issue as much as possible to try not
to do it anymore.

I'm always impulsive.
Anything to feel.

Good article.
My BF used to try to take my keys. But I'd promise to be good.
I no longer have a car (financial reasons, not this).
Taking the bus definitely puts the kybosh driving issues.
Bonus: took the road rage too.

I walked out of my dream job and drove from south Florida to Mississippi in a manic state in Feb.

I know when I'm heading down the mania road because I'm impulsive only then. I get most of the classic mania symptoms....not one or two. Driving reckless is one. I've read on this forum multiple times of people reckless driving during mania or hypo. I have a new car and have anxiety that I will wreck it. I started listening to mellow music while driving (classic country). I don't listen to rock or hip hop while driving. I do self-talk and try to focus. I've hit things while driving reckless in my last car. Good luck.

I am rarely impulsive.
I am, however, impulsive if/when hypomania hits.

I can then get caught up in speed.
However, I am usually cautious and the impulsive driving is usually overridden by the fact that one of my brothers was killed in a car accident which involved a wreckless driver. I know, first hand, how traumatizing this can be for surviving family members. I also know the wreckless driver still feels guilty 30 years later. It's a no-win.

Careful out there!


WC

WOW thanks for that article. I definitely have lower impulse control but mine manifests most strongly when I'm depressed since I'm never hypomanic. I've always known I was impulsive; just didn't connect the two and come around to the idea that I can make a plan of action to contain it. Thank you for bringing this up. My impulsivity only helps me on rare occasions. Most of the time it is detrimental.

I am so sorry about your brother. I'm usually a very cautious driver but this brings it home again.

I'm impulsive even without being hypo. Part of the BPD, I guess.

When I am manic, I can drivr recklessly. I can do impulsive, crazy things. My pdoc once told me that being impulsive is not part of BP. I disagree.

Maybe your pdoc should read the initial article? Here's another article dealing with the same topic. http://www.bphope.com/impulsivity-bipolar-brain/

Being impulsive is NOT part of bipolar!? Then how do we get so caught up in things that are wreckless, obsessive, damaging, and dangerous? I find it surprising your pdoc would say that impulsivity is not a part of bipolar.

I am not particularly impulsive outside of mania either, but it's a good indicator that I'm becoming manicky. Last summer I earned two speeding tickets while manic. I also missed two court dates. And lost not only 6 points, but my license too.

What a waste of $360 to pay the tickets and fees to get it back!