Starting Signs of Mixed Episode?

I notice just in general, there seems to be a lot of awareness and information on depression and mania, but mixed states are not discussed as frequently. I've had real severe mixed episodes in the past, and they usually hit me right after being manic.

This time around, instead of it coming on after mania, I feel that I've been going through depression, and notice some possible "warning signs" of mixed mania. Therefore, this is a bit different for me. It is sometimes difficult to be sure it's about ready to hit. Once it hits, it hits hard though, so I'm trying to be more aware. I'm starting to get racing thoughts (and losing control over my thoughts), the anxiety is getting a lot worse, impulsive behaviors and instant gratification, a lot of irritability, trouble sleeping, random sobbing, preoccupation with different things. I wonder if this could be the start of a mixed episode?

What's your warning signs when it comes to entering a mixed episode? I know there's some differences for everyone....so it would be helpful to know.

I'm still trying to wrap my mind around what exactly mixed IS vs depression. I think I have a hard time distinguishing because I cycle in and out throughout the day and I think most of it is predominantly mixed state

As I get older, I find that I'm developing more cycling as well. Not the ultra kind, but meeting the criteria for more than four episodes in a year. I hate having to deal with so many ups and downs.

Kind of random, but something else I am noticing is that I'm drawn more to "dark" subject matters, and it's worrying me.

I usually refer to mixed states as the mania "turning" on me. I will be sailing along in euphoric mania and then the next day I will wake up anxious, irritable as all hell, angry, and with depressed thoughts. But with all the energy of the mania, except now it's bad energy. This is when I'll start pacing and crying, lashing out at my family. It's no good. This is when I usually go IP, because I get very suicidal and impulsive, not a good combo.

I had some horrible mixed episodes when I was doing very bad. I notice it first thing when I wake up. I'll be in a horrible mood and snotty when interacting with others. Days like that, I'd just spend alone or even take a higher dose AP for the day.

my warning sign is when I'm feeling restless depressed.
Not directly in a bad mixed episode but instead of feeling unable to do anything (my normal depressed state) I'm unable to do nothing.

And my anger shifts.
Suddenly I'm not beating myself up, but I'm also annoyed at everyone. Which leads to a death cycle of anger and guilt.

In the past (when I had no support network) this ended in bad mixed episodes with psychosis. Now I take a lot of me time and do creative stuff.

My mixed states include extreme irritation and restlessness. I literally want to claw my skin off I'm so uncomfortable. Fortunately I've had less than 5.

Hugs to all.

Sorry that you've struggled with this.....that is my usual pattern too. Mania almost always turns into mixed mania for me, and everything takes a horrible turn quickly. It is very scary, and I get delusional.

This time around seems different for some reason. I think it's more of a rapid cycling thing, the more I think of it. It's getting so hard to keep up with, and I'm getting really bad thoughts.....I don't want to trigger anyone though. Thoughts keep coming to me where I am suspicious of different things, and I try to give myself reassurance, but bad, racing thoughts take over, where I am not in control. I don't know what triggered this.

I've experienced it in different ways. My last mixed episode I went from just depressed to depression with bad irritability, anxiousness, slightly restless, racing thoughts, and impulsivity.

OP you post sounds just like me, all that at the end of a good strong mania.

Hugs. I hate this feeling.

All this sounds like my mixed episodes but I'd also throw in forgetfulness and a kind of mild cognitive impairment--like a deep brain fog.

I am going through this right today, I think. I was manic yesterday and the day before, but today I had trouble getting up. I overslept by about 2 and a half hours. Not usual for me at all, I am usually an early riser.

I had an anger episode the day before yesterday, which is very rare for me, but someone got angry at me. Whereas I normally would not respond in kind, I did so then. I had to make several phone calls that day and the next to repair any damage done and explain that the other person had thrown anger at me and I had, had enough of it, because it had been going on for months in the form of backstabbing and even snide comments made about me when I have been present.

Thankfully everyone I spoke to was at least somewhat understanding if not actually sympathetic. Since I am not known for anger outbursts, my record spoke for itself, thankfully! None the less, I am concerned about the future of this situation, as the person has not been handled at all to my knowledge, so might throw some more anger at me at any moment. Since he lives in my building, socializes where I work and in general lives in this small town like I do, I could theoretically run into him ANYWHERE
ANYTIME and end up being at his mercy.

What he has been doing to me has been described as emotional abuse, for those who are mental health savvy. So this is no small matter!

So sorry you're going through this. It's terrible that you can run into him anywhere. I hope things get better for you soon.

I've never had a "pure" manic episode. Mine are always mixed. Maybe that's why it took the doctors 3 decades to figure out that I was bipolar instead of a cranky depressed person. It starts off feeling just not quite right, then I start feeling nervous or lazy and self critical. Like there is something I should be doing that I'm not. Then I get figity and agitated. And extremely irritable. Then I become convinced that the world does indeed suck the big one and anyone who disagrees with me is too blind to see.

I become afraid to be around anyone for fear of what I might do or say. I have never actually attacked anyone other than verbally, but the fear is paralyzing. So I go to bed at 6 o'clock, pull the covers up to my nose and binge watch sitcoms, hoping to ride it out. If it gets too bad sometimes Xanax helps me calm down.

I have started a mixed cycle as well. started getting suicidal again last week sobbing high anxiety, irritable. Now this week I am starting to get hypomanic. I have been awake for over 40 hours. I am hoping the sand man is visiting tonight. I have already started doing stupid things! Tonight I played chicken with a car to get by a really slow truck. The disturbing thing is I did not care, I was not afraid at all. I do feel bad putting others lives in danger. It was an act first think later moment. i have already done about a thousand worth of monetary damage with spontaneous travel and shopping sprees. So that is what my mixes or rapid cycling looks like this time. Oh and I usually feel euphoric. I have not this time. Sorry you are going through this too. Mixed episodes suck!