Can you guys describe some of the things you have done/do when you're in that state? I'm trying to figure out my patterns and what my "hypomanic" state may look like, but I don't really have a reference to go by. (I know everyone is different and I'm not implying I'm referencing my hypomania to yours -- I just want something to go by beyond generalities).

-- Do any of these things sound like something someone would do when hypomanic? I've noticed during these times I'm restless, and my ideas always race in my head.

1)I flew to Spain one Christmas because I could, told no one where I was going and just left.
2) I drove to Nebraska, taking 3 days off work, just because I wanted to.
3) I have spent in the past tons of money (usually that I don't have to spend) on things that I never use or needed.
4) Most recently drove 2 hours away to a bar with no plan on how to get home or where to stay the night (I decided to get drunk).

After writing those out, I feel like a bad person now .

I'm tempted to not post this at all, but I will anyway. Just let me know what your (hypo)manic states are like. What do YOU notice about yourself, what do OTHERS notice?

[Wild Coyote]

I am no expert in hypomania. I struggle much more with depression.

The examples you gave certainly sound impulsive.

I'm sure others will be along with more insightful responses.


WC

[~Christina]

That stuff for me would be “ manic” for me , the drop everything and go.

Hypo for me ? The world is shiney and colors are so wonderful. I feel lighter almost like I could float or fly. Then in a couple days Mania hits and it’s all ugly mean and I have no hope.

[UpDownAround]

I get happy puppy hypomania. I get the grins and sometimes even chuckle for no reason. Racing thoughts cause my brain to outrun my mouth and people have trouble following what I say. I get a bit arrogant if it is more than slight. Interest in doing things picks up; the biggest obstacle to getting things done is deciding which thing(s) to do and I often end up with lots of things started and few if any finished. One of the sure signs is ability to stay up late and not feel tired in the morning.

[HALLIEBETH87]

That sounds more manic. Extremes.

Hypo I am just a really happy and positive person who has no worries in the world. The world is beautiful and we should all dance and Sing and
Shop!

[fishin fool]

Hypo for me means making pretty bad decisions and some impulsive behavior.
Many times it means an over the top sex drive.
I can be over confident and sometimes a bit arrogant like I can do anything at all.
Also get far more talkative than usual.
Sadly there are times when hypo mania can make me very grumpy.

What you wrote does sound very impulsive, but because I don't know your baseline, it's hard to know what those actions represent for you. I do think that for many people such impulsivity could be a bit beyond hypomania, but again it really depends on the person. There are plenty of people that are impulsive, but not bipolar.

I think what you need to know, and sometimes it requires other people to let you know (you might lack insight at times) is what other hypo(manic) symptoms you have. In your post you only cite impulsive type symptoms. When I'm hypomanic or even manic (I have bipolar type 1) there are a number of symptoms that can be recognized. In fact, according to the DSM-5, you have to have exhibited more than a few to qualify for an episode, like the following:

*Insomnia (sleeping 4 hours or less per night for multiple nights)
*Talking fast and/or loud
*Feeling elated and/or extremely irritable (possible tantrums or outbursts)
*Racing thoughts
*Acting inappropriately in public (people notice), such as inappropriate statements, humor, actions, and other off-beat or unacceptable behavior
*High energy
*Impulsive behavior (like you cited)
*Take on especially big projects or become focused on many different things at the same time.
*Hypersexuality or at least becoming very flirtatious
*Possibly grandiose thoughts. Delusions or hallucinations if very manic.

The only differentiation between “hypomanic” and “manic” behaviour that I have gleaned from the DSM-5 is the length of the episode. I have been cruising in a low-grade manic phase for months, now. Maybe that’s where you might be?

You seem to be exhibiting the mania of “engaging in risky behaviour” very well, textbook well. Your risky travel and your spending sprees (good gawd, it’s spending sprees and sex for me!), textbook, as well.

It is curious, however, that you exhibit just one of the behaviours of a manic episode. Or maybe not... in this mini-mania that I’ve been riding I, too, only exhibit the behaviour of the risk-taking individual. So we at be similar in that respect.

I would be interested to know if you’ve ever exhibited grandiosity at the same time that you had the risky behaviour going on? No that can be a blast.

I think that you need to say how long your hypomanic/manic episode has been occurring?

*

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

*Hypersexuality or at least becoming very flirtatious

Is this actually in the current criteria for bipolar disorder in the DSM-5?

I ask because I have argued that hypersexuality (and I would include extreme flirtation, certainly) is not amongst the criteria for a manic episode but, rather, the criteria of engaging in risky behaviour which may include, 1) excessive spending sprees, 2) risky sexual behaviour, &etc.

I will pull out my DSM-5 and have another look.

Hi ciderguy. The list I provided is more a view of the symptoms I generally present in hypomania and/or mania. I do have the DSM-5, and since you asked, sex is referred to in the symptoms list twice. Once in the example list for "increase in goal-directed activity" as "sexually", and another time in the list of examples for "Excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences", as "sexual indiscretions".

Pretty much all of the symptoms I listed are in the DSM-5 mania and hypomania list, though perhaps slightly reworded. One in the DSM-5 list I didn't mention in my first post in this thread was "distractability", which I've also experienced at times when hypo(manic). The DSM-5 states that three (or more) symptoms in the DSM-5 manic (or hypomanic) symptom list (which I have not formally provided) or four (if the mood is only irritable) must be present to a significant degree and represent a noticeable change from usual behavior.

Hi ciderguy. The list I mentioned in my post above was based on my usual experiences. As for references to "sex" in the DSM-5, please note the following two symptoms (typed verbatim from my copy) :

"6. Increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation (i.e. purposeless non-goal-directed activity)

7. Excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g. engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)."

I do get distractability and psycho-motor agitation, too. Though I have gotten involved in activities with a high potential for painful consequences, I personally have not had significant spending sprees (like many people with bipolar) or made foolish business investments. I'm too frugal, even when manic.

True, ciderguy. My list in my post above was not meant to be the DSM-5 list, just a list of some of the features of many of my hypomanic and manic episodes. I, too, own a copy of the DSM-5 and see what you are referring to. After looking at the DSM-5 list I realized that I have had a couple more of the symptoms they list (distractability and psycho-motor agitation). I, personally, am not prone to major spending sprees or foolish business investments.

[annielovesbacon]

To me those symptoms sound like hypomania. According to the DSM it is not considered mania unless psychosis, hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, etc. are present. (And you're not a bad person btw!)
For me here are some things I've done while hypomanic:
-overcommit myself because I think I can handle it, but of course when I become depressed again it's wayyyy too much (ex: enrolling in 18 hours while working two jobs and an internship)
-stay up all night (or only sleep a couple hours) doing something random that I suddenly feel is very important, like a research project
-make impulsive decisions like cutting my own hair, having sex with someone I've never met, going on shopping sprees, go on spontaneous runs (usually in the dark in an unfamiliar neighborhood with no planned route and no lights or reflective clothes)
-spend wayyyyy too much money
-talk a lot, usually an annoying amount

Originally Posted by annielovesbacon

To me those symptoms sound like hypomania. According to the DSM it is not considered mania unless psychosis, hallucinations, delusions of grandeur, etc. are present. (And you're not a bad person btw!)
For me here are some things I've done while hypomanic:
-overcommit myself because I think I can handle it, but of course when I become depressed again it's wayyyy too much (ex: enrolling in 18 hours while working two jobs and an internship)
-stay up all night (or only sleep a couple hours) doing something random that I suddenly feel is very important, like a research project
-make impulsive decisions like cutting my own hair, having sex with someone I've never met, going on shopping sprees, go on spontaneous runs (usually in the dark in an unfamiliar neighborhood with no planned route and no lights or reflective clothes)
-spend wayyyyy too much money
-talk a lot, usually an annoying amount

Yes, you and I have some similar manic (or, if short-lived, hypomanic, I suppose) criteria and behaviours.

One that no one else seems to have (?) is that feeling of being god. Zeus behind home-plate calling the pitches. Grandiosity. I haven’t felt it for two days but it will return. It always returns.

Sometimes I think that I cruise in a mid-level manic state as an act of rebellion against bipolar depressive stretches of time.

[UpDownAround]

Originally Posted by ciderguy

The only differentiation between “hypomanic” and “manic” behaviour that I have gleaned from the DSM-5 is the length of the episode.

I thought it was severity, like psychosis = mania. But maybe I have BP type I & II jumbled with it because I thought hypomania only meant type II. I have had long episodes that were fairly low grade and my t and pdoc still refer to that as hypomania.

I've always read that mania is more severe than hypomania. In the DSM-5 it also says something like that mania has more of an effect on daily life than hypomania (this is not the verbatim) and may lead to hospitalization. I don't think anyone is usually ever hospitalized for hypomania unless it is a serious mixed episode or involves something else like addiction, etc. I think if there is no mixed episode or other issue, then any manic episode requiring hospitalization is probably considered full blown manic.

In the DSM-5 there is a minimum number of days difference for diagnosis of hypomania vs. mania, but nothing relating to maximum days. I believe hypomania must be at least 4 days and mania must be at least a week or two (I forget exactly the length), but hypomania can indeed last weeks or months and still be hypomania.

[JanusunaJ]

Thank you for sharing, Brentus. You are definitely not a bad person.

What you've posted can appear to by hypomanic behavior. But it really seems to me that the best way to determine that is to compare it to your previous behavior. Sure, there is something to be said in comparing your behavior to others who've displayed hypomanic tendencies, but I think there is a subjective component that isn't given its necessary emphasis.

I'd once asked a highly competent psychiatrist if a pattern of thought/idea of mine was grandiose and he said that he couldn't answer that question. I took his response to mean that each person has a unique spectrum of capabilities -- what may be grandiose and unlikely to be achieved due to some lacking by one person, may indeed be realistic for another person, even though it may be a "grand" idea.

If the behavior leads to a detrimental outcome I think there should be concern. Flying to Spain on a whim? That sounds amazing and I think anyone who had the means to would do that if they desired. But spending tons of money and driving hours away to go to a bar without planning on where to stay or how to get back, that is indicative of being not healthy(i.e. hypomanic).

But, at what point do you start questioning your behavior so much that the introspection or analysis becomes harmful itself? For me, I start to question whether feeling good or happy in general is a precursor to a hypomanic episode.

To answer your question: racing thoughts, sleeplessness(this is a strong indicator for me), and taking on too much(i.e. involving myself in far too many activities) are some of my signs of hypomania.

[JanusunaJ]

Originally Posted by annielovesbacon

For me here are some things I've done while hypomanic:
-overcommit myself because I think I can handle it, but of course when I become depressed again it's wayyyy too much (ex: enrolling in 18 hours while working two jobs and an internship)
-stay up all night (or only sleep a couple hours) doing something random that I suddenly feel is very important, like a research project
-make impulsive decisions like cutting my own hair, having sex with someone I've never met, going on shopping sprees, go on spontaneous runs (usually in the dark in an unfamiliar neighborhood with no planned route and no lights or reflective clothes)
-spend wayyyyy too much money
-talk a lot, usually an annoying amount

Sounds just like me.

[Aliceiw]

Personally, I get really spiritual. It won't be uncommon for me to indulge in a new religion and practice it to extremes. It isn't uncommon for me to clean the whole house and get stressed about disorder. It isn't unusual for me to cry with joy at a sunset or to stare and smile aimlessly at a grassy area with the sunshine beaming. It is common for me to make big plans and get really excited about them. I can get really attached to specific objects, superstitions, and signs from the universe. It is common for normally introverted me to want to be at parties and to talk/ramble away with strangers. It is common for me to get bouncy and to laugh at things that really aren't funny (for ways too long than necessary). It's common for me to wander and to want to go on trips. I also like to constantly be doing something, and not doing anything drives me crazy. I talk a little fast at times, I drink a little too much, and I don't sleep very well and feel fine.

[xRavenx]

During hypomania, early signs for me, are sleeping less, becoming consumed with certain activities. It starts out benign, but then crosses over into a lot of the behaviors you described.

For me, sometimes I am in an irritable state of hypomania, and other times, I am in an elated state or mixed. During one episode, I planned a trip to the Netherlands, although it is out of my budget and far away. I went as far as making plans with someone I had only known a few months. I put the trip on my credit card, and it blew up in my face when the person backed out of plans and messed with my finances. Promiscuity is a problem for me during hypomania. I am also more prone to drinking when hypomanic and other really impulsive behaviors. I pretty much meet criteria spot on when it comes to hypomanias and manias. Sometimes I get more social, when really, I am more of an introvert at heart.

Please don't feel bad posting this. I understand though, I go through feelings of shame too. This is very common when it comes to hypomania. I hate dealing with this.

[annielovesbacon]

I'm not an expert, this is just what my doctor has told me and from research I've done, so I don't pretend to know everything. But it is my understanding that length of episode has nothing to do with hypomania versus mania... it is the presence of psychosis or grandiosity or hallucinations (or all three) that makes it mania. Even if you only have a manic episode with psychosis once, and all your other episodes look more like hypomania, the DSM still qualifies that as bipolar I.
Also, it is a dangerous myth (in my opinion) that BPI is more dangerous than BPII. They certainly both present terrible realities. BPI patients are more likely to do destructive things and be hospitalized, but BPII patients spend a lot more time in depression and are generally more of a suicide risk than BPI patients. In my opinion both are equally dangerous, just for different reasons.

[JanusunaJ]

Originally Posted by annielovesbacon

Also, it is a dangerous myth (in my opinion) that BPI is more dangerous than BPII. They certainly both present terrible realities. BPI patients are more likely to do destructive things and be hospitalized, but BPII patients spend a lot more time in depression and are generally more of a suicide risk than BPI patients. In my opinion both are equally dangerous, just for different reasons.

Exactly. It is always upsetting for me when I hear people say one is more severe than the other. While both are mood disorders and are very similar; they are also dissimilar.

I also never understand why someone wants to say they've suffered more than another person. Is it a competition? It seems very hard or rather near impossible to adequately compare the subjective experience of two or more people's lives.

[WildcatVet]

Sounds like mania to me. In my world, hypomania is angry, hostile, violent, and very agitated. I'd rather punch holes in walls...than get up and go...

[5150DirtDiva]

THIS!!! So much this! Especially the last bit!

Originally Posted by annielovesbacon

I'm not an expert, this is just what my doctor has told me and from research I've done, so I don't pretend to know everything. But it is my understanding that length of episode has nothing to do with hypomania versus mania... it is the presence of psychosis or grandiosity or hallucinations (or all three) that makes it mania. Even if you only have a manic episode with psychosis once, and all your other episodes look more like hypomania, the DSM still qualifies that as bipolar I.
Also, it is a dangerous myth (in my opinion) that BPI is more dangerous than BPII. They certainly both present terrible realities. BPI patients are more likely to do destructive things and be hospitalized, but BPII patients spend a lot more time in depression and are generally more of a suicide risk than BPI patients. In my opinion both are equally dangerous, just for different reasons.