mania

My bipolar disorder mostly manifests itself in the form of severe depression or extreme irritability/rage. But the past two days I have been unable to sleep, I have been talking a mile a minute, my thoughts are racing, I can't stay focused and I am fighting the urge to shop. Which I have gotten into trouble with in the past. I know this is mania, but I don't typically get manic. I feel like I am outside of myself looking at someone I don't know. THis is not me, who I am or what I am like. I am on meds that I am very happy with and do not want anything changed so I guess Ijust have to wait and see how long this lasts. I couldn't sleep Friday night and finally got up at 5:30 am and was up for the day. I crashed around 8:30 and was up at 11 and just rolling around all night and now I have been up for over an hour and just find this very unusual. I am so used to being low. Not depressed, but low. Now I feel high and it is bizarre to me.

I don't know if it's manic or hypomanic... but that that's the way I used to get. My pdoc was going to prescribe Lamictal until we discussed the anger and rage issues, Then he chose Geodon (an atypical antipsychotic). I can say the manic anger issues and really diminished.. So much so that my kids are having to learn how not to be afraid of me again. ... But that's another story...

It is a strange feeling though.. Feeling that you're really looking at yourself from the outside...

Hi piscesmom,

I also have bi-polar, and the majority of my symptoms are severe depression. The hypomanic episodes are very few, maybe one every couple of years. I also had the no sleeping stages, and they really stink. Eventually I did crash (after 3-4 days) and slept for 18-24 hours.

Wishing you peace and luck!

Dee