[droopy55]

When you are experiencing mania/hypomania, are you cognizant of it while it is happening; or do you not realize it until you come down from your "high?"

I've had at least one incident where I was hypomanic and didn't know it until a fellow BPer who was with me told me about my irratic behavior.

[nothemama8]

The only time I know I'm cycling is when people from my group tell me, I usually hope I feel this way for ever
Angie

[droopy55]

Hi Angie,

Thanks for answering my post!

If my hypomania was productive, I would love to feel that way forever, too. But I'm afraid of doing something very foolish, wreckless and/or embarrassing.

I suppose it is the nature of the beast.

Pam

[darkeyes]

Sometimes a person can recognize the change occuring, depending on the form of BP, and/or the abruptness.
People close to you can notice this too once they have experienced any episodic behaviour in you before.
Unfortunately due to so many variations, individual factors, slipping up or discontinuing mood stabilizers, etc.
this isn't a black or white thing.
Take care,
DE

[droopy55]

Thanks, DE!

That puts everything into perspective.

At the time I had my "incident," I was on 5mg of Xanax and I can't remember what else. But my pdoc said that it caused me to go manic/hypomanic. He immediately lowered my dosage of Xanax.

Thanks again!
Pam