[251turnaround]

It's been a year since my last manic episode. At least I think that's what it was, I'm kind of unsure if I really have this bipolar thing or not.

I was full of life, talking to everybody, thinking really fast, jokes came to me really easily, having tons of energy, feeling overall pretty freaking awesome. I had a month of this in varying intensity. It had me admitted to inpatient, but not involuntarily.

It wasn't that damaging for me at all, and it felt pretty good. I felt on top of the world.

I've been feeling either okay or outright terrible since then, and I want that escape from my bad feelings so I can make friends again and get things done.

I know triggering it is a bad idea, but my mania isn't easily set off by sleep or med changes. It's completely random. Last time it hit me as I was being discharged from the hospital and didn't go away until a month later. That's not just borderline, right? I often think I just have that.

I'm so desperate to get out of this depression, and hypomania seems like a dream right now.

[*Beth*]

I'm not sure why you were in the hospital (psych or something else). Have you ever been diagnosed by a psych professional?

Seeking out mania can be a very dangerous endeavor,
but the elated milder kind sure is a lovely pleasure.

I once told an old therapist that I would set out on a "pursuit of pleasure".
That is something we can all do, but we must firmly set our minds to.

It takes some planning, and some effort.
You can look at it like a brain's sport.

But do be sure to keep a growing pleasure regulated,
Or you may find yourself in a hospital, reinstated.

[251turnaround]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I'm not sure why you were in the hospital (psych or something else). Have you ever been diagnosed by a psych professional?

I was in the hospital that time due to intense suicidal ideation. The mania came up a day before I was discharged. It hit me pretty fast. I've been diagnosed by several professionals who have told me it's classic bipolar, but I dunno.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by 251turnaround

I was in the hospital that time due to intense suicidal ideation. The mania came up a day before I was discharged. It hit me pretty fast. I've been diagnosed by several professionals who have told me it's classic bipolar, but I dunno.

It is very possible to have bipolar disorder and BPD (or traits of BPD). But if several psych professionals have dx'ed you...do you trust them?


Also, something to keep in mind is that BP and BPD can sometimes appear to be quite similar - but there are differences, which is why being dx'ed by a professional is so important.

[251turnaround]

Originally Posted by BethRags

It is very possible to have bipolar disorder and BPD (or traits of BPD). But if several psych professionals have dx'ed you...do you trust them?


Also, something to keep in mind is that BP and BPD can sometimes appear to be quite similar - but there are differences, which is why being dx'ed by a professional is so important.

I don't know. They could be wrong. I could have been playing up my symptoms. I haven't felt "manic" in so long I don't think I really deal with it anymore. From 2018-early 2019 I had a couple hypomanic episodes but nothing since. I've even missed meds and have been fine. It's highly likely I don't actually have this.

[~Christina]

Well you can always see a new Pdoc and get a second or third opinion..

Bipolar and Borderline share alot of the same symptoms/reactions. lots of people can skip doses of meds and still be okay for a bit, factoring in Half life of meds..

Chasing Hypo/mania is a tricky thing... in the majority of cases people have a full blown episode , often wind up IP and once the dust starts to settle there is a path of destruction that you need to clean up and lots of amends to be made. Some people wind up in trouble with the law..

If your feeling to flat the best thing to do is let your Pdoc know, Often Medications needs to be tweaked or outright changed. Winter is a terrible time for most people with Bipolar for depression.

Think carefully before you act. Stay safe

[Tucson]

Originally Posted by 251turnaround

It's been a year since my last manic episode. At least I think that's what it was, I'm kind of unsure if I really have this bipolar thing or not.

I was full of life, talking to everybody, thinking really fast, jokes came to me really easily, having tons of energy, feeling overall pretty freaking awesome. I had a month of this in varying intensity. It had me admitted to inpatient, but not involuntarily.

It wasn't that damaging for me at all, and it felt pretty good. I felt on top of the world.

I've been feeling either okay or outright terrible since then, and I want that escape from my bad feelings so I can make friends again and get things done.

I know triggering it is a bad idea, but my mania isn't easily set off by sleep or med changes. It's completely random. Last time it hit me as I was being discharged from the hospital and didn't go away until a month later. That's not just borderline, right? I often think I just have that.

I'm so desperate to get out of this depression, and hypomania seems like a dream right now.

Like a drug, right? Better than weed? Sincerely I want you to think about this before you act, Otherwise, I understand what you are saying here.

[*Beth*]

Hypomania is like a drug. It's true.

[wiretwister]

a little , "happy time" , would be pretty nice right now . . . .

A mild euphoric hypomania is always tempting, however it doesn't always stay mild and things can get out of control pretty quickly. I, too, sometimes go a while without a manic episode and think the docs were wrong, but it doesn't really matter how long ago you had an episode; what matters is that you had one and therefore fit the diagnostic bill for bp. Like Christina said, you can get a second opinion if you truly think your doc is wrong about your diagnosis.
Is there anything you can do to bring more excitement/joy into your life without triggering hypomania?

[251turnaround]

Originally Posted by spikes

Is there anything you can do to bring more excitement/joy into your life without triggering hypomania?

This is when I start doing stupid reckless things. I don't know how to add healthy excitement to my life.

I crave hypomania too. I get intense euphoria. It's glorious! Sometimes i get really into God. It's harmless so why not. I scribbled the lyrics to a rousing song of Mormon oratory all over my kitchen cabinets the last time i was HM! Good times!

[Isurvive]

I told my therapist the other day that I could feel a good hypomania was coming on, she was not so happy about that as I was.

I was ready to try and kick it into full blown hypomania

She was trying to remind me of the last few episodes and how much I regretted things i did (my hand is still hurting from punching the wall in the hospital, and before that one oh boy... I don't even want to think about it!)

I was already hypomanic by the end of the appointment and got to go visit the ED for a psych evaluation (at least I was able to have my parents take rather than having to go in police escort)

It was not fun crashing back down either! I think that I always forget the crash that comes after the hypomania.

It's a real struggle to not crave the high and to remember the consequences and the low after. Be careful.

[Merlin]

I’m paying off credit card bills for my last hypomania. I didn’t really need the new laptop, though I do enjoy it. As opposed to the quilting stuff which I really should use.

[Fuzzybear]

Thinking of you