I certainly don't feel manic. Would I recognise it though if this were the case? I think I would. I am not feeling on top of the world. I am not experiencing feelings of grandeur. I am not running at the mouth. I am not highly irritated. I am not furiously and speedily going about my tasks. I am not pumping out artwork. I am not risk taking. And, I am not hyper-sexualised. All of these things I recognise from periods of mania past.

But, there is one symptom I have been doing - I have spent some money. My family is not happy about it. They are jumping to conclusions about my mental health. They have suggested I see my psychiatrist. One family member has gone so far as to say I might vvisit the hospital. Really?

I bought a car, yes it could be alarming to people. But, this purchase was not spur of the moment and it was both well researched and well thought out. I think it was actually a good decision.

I bought some new clothes and footwear. Come on family, I was walking around in boots and shoes more than ten years old. Much of my clothing was older than that.

Every little dime I spend is faced with a third degree challenge. "Oh, you have some new boots - did you tell your psychiatrist that? What did he say?"

Well, it sounds like your family is concerned, meaning you should get checked out. Even if to prove them wrong, or to determine if maybe it’s just hypomania.

I think looking at symptoms from the usual perspective might not work.

Do you feel like your “old” self, or was that person just held down by everyone?

Look at your old emails. Do you agree with them and the way they’re written?

How is music sounding to you?

Does everyone seem like ignorant snails (or the like) to you?

Do the clothes you bought look like your typical wardrobe?

I can tell you I didn’t notice my last hypomanic event until I swung down. I just felt like the items I wrote above. It all made sense to me at the time.

The one thing I noticed was that I could control the speed of my brain with music. I thought, hmm, I could do that before when I was hypomanic. Not that I did anything about it.

[pirilin]

Everybody wants to manage your money. Specially those who have none.

[Shazerac]

I don’t know but i would tempted to ask “why do you think it’s any of your business what I spend money on!” Flip it around and grill them about “their” problem.

Ok, maybe that’s going too far but seriously, once we get diagnosed with bipolar suddenly every seems to think that they have the right to scrutinize our every move. Probably it would be better better if you said something along the lines of “I appreciate your concern, but this decision to spend money is well thought out and is not an indication that I’m on a manic spending spree.” Be firm that you are manageing your own illness. You have every right to do that.

[Wander]

Yesterday I went in to spend $400 on a new car stereo and ended up with a $900 system. My T now thinks I’m hypomanic, although there are a few other symptoms I’m feeling stable. You’re right. Go and spend a bit of money, especially on planned an thought throthings and people jump to the conclusion that you are in an episode. If everything else is fine keep reassuring your loved ones you are fine and list the reasons why. Still, if you notice other symptoms creeping in tell them and let them help you. It sounds to me like you’re fine so keep on living your life💰

[Wild Coyote]

You sound fine to me.

WC

[Unrigged64072835]

I don't think there's anything wrong with getting clothes and a car, especially if you planned it out.

[salsharia]

Agreed. I guess it’s a problem when you’ve spent money you don’t have - not necessarily how much..

Thankyou all for the many replies.You have offered valuable support as well as things to ponder and I am appreciative of it.

One of you offered a litmus test of questions to ask myself. I indeed took these into consideration and some of the context stood out. Is my other behaviour changing? Nope. The things I have purchased, namely clothing, are in fact of my usual style - not drawing attention to myself and certainly not outlandish. These clothing items are merely new versions of my present style. Very very good question though as in past manic episodes I very much have drawn attention to my appearance to the extent of tattooing myself and having some pretty wild hair.

I have an upcoming appointment booked with a psychologist (until now I have only been seeing a psychiatrist). This is all part of the requirements of my Disability pay-out from Veteran's Affairs. I am quite sure this is going to come up. I suppose I ought to be bringing it up myself.

Well I had that appointment with the psychologist. It was more of a meet-and-greet really rather than a session. There was so much left out of that talk including this conundrum of mine. Family is still asking about my spending (I haven't since I wrote).

[Guiness187055]

I feel ya. I am building a new computer which we really need. It takes money to build a computer people don't understand this.

Update: I think I perhaps do have a problem after all. I have a real session with my new therapist. I know I must raise the topic.

I just spent a large amount of money again. I spent a month thinking about it and weighing out the purchase before doing it so it wasn't much of a plunge. But my family is going to go crazy.

Yet, I don't even feel hypomanic.

[wiretwister]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

Update: I think I perhaps do have a problem after all. I have a real session with my new therapist. I know I must raise the topic.

I just spent a large amount of money again. I spent a month thinking about it and weighing out the purchase before doing it so it wasn't much of a plunge. But my family is going to go crazy.

Yet, I don't even feel hypomanic.

was it something you need , could use . ect ... or just a frivious buy ... and could you afford it ... my wife buys everything she finds on sale ... the house and garage is running over with " deals to good to pass up " ... she is " normal " whatever that means ... you don't need to be " bipolar or whatever " to spend money ... our economic system is based on spending ... to me it is " can I afford it ... am I going to miss a bill ... or have to skip a meal ... if not ... your an adult ... go for it ... Tigger .... jmo

[Tucson]

I think deciding if you can use it is irrelevant. I can use allot of expensive things that I cannot afford, and in some cases, end up not actually using. I make do with what I have. I find my money spending problems related to hypomania start out this way. It is the kind of money you are spending in a short period of time that warrants consideration. If the initial purchases lead to additional significant purchases soon after, this would make me doubly concerned about hypomania. It is not the actual items purchased, no matter if you consider them appropriate, but the velocity of money through your fingers. Once that bridge is crossed, additional spending can get out of control.