[SoScorpio]

I seem to be having some kind of manic episode. I took my Wellbutrin this morning around 6. Spent an hour and a half reading on the bus. Then when I was walking into work, I felt good. Really good considering how depressed I've been lately. I did breathing exercises when I got in. Then got to work. For the morning I felt happy, willing to work, practically bouncing around, but nothing to distress me.
In the last half hour though, it's changed. I feel like I've had too much caffeine, and I haven't had any. My head started buzzing. My thoughts became distracted, I don't mind working but I feel too amped up to concentrate. I called my boyfriend on the phone and told him about it, and for maybe two seconds felt annoyed when he said there was nothing for me to do but get to work, but minutes later I just started laughing. Nothing was even funny, but I was on the phone just chuckling at myself, at feeling this way. Even though I know this isn't normal, I'm having a hard time feeling anything but happy. I'm even typing faster than normal, which is saying something because my usual top speed is 85 WPM. I thought taking a smoke break might help me calm down, but I found myself hopping from foot to foot while I smoked.

It has to be the Wellbutrin, right? I'm not bipolar, and I very rarely feel energized for no reason.

[SoScorpio]

Well scratch that about only feeling happy. A customer came in who was here earlier and said I didn't give him his bag back with his clothes. I am almost certain I remember seeing a bag attached to his order, but he insists there wasn't. His bag isn't where it would be if I forgot to attach it. I told him I could look through other people's orders in a bit. I could tell I was talking weird, he probably noticed too since he was here this morning. Probably just thought I was afraid. But then I did get afraid. I'm almost sure I didn't do anything wrong. And even if I did, it's not a big deal. It's a nylon bag, not an expensive piece of clothing. If I don't find it I can make him a new one. Totally not a big deal, but my physical responses are freaking out.

Is there any quick way to make this stop??? I might be fine if I didn't have to talk to anyone, but the customers are going to notice I'm not myself.

Update: 2.5 hours later and I'm tired. Muscle fatigue, even though I haven't been working that strenuously. I haven't sat down much today but I'm doing more standing than walking. But I had to put away the clean clothes on the carousel rack, and by the end of that my arm muscles were screaming, when usually it just gives me a slight burn. I also keep getting these brief flashes... it's hard to explain but similar to withdrawals from an SSRI, but not as intense. Also sort of like when you stay up all night, get a second wind in the morning, but then every once in a while you get a split-second pang of exhaustion, your brain warning you that it needs sleep. I don't feel particularly depressed, though my euphoria from earlier is gone. Now I just feel so tired. Even typing is making my arms tired, and that never happens. I almost feel like I could just lay down here and go to sleep, and that's highly unusual, because I'm an insomniac, and getting to sleep before 10pm is almost impossible.

[jbuttz]

I've wanted to get checked for bipolar ever since my episode and after reading this. Antidepressants & Bipolar III
Mania caused by antidepressants. The only reason I don't go get it Checked out is because I'm very busy with raising children, working and being trapped in my head

[SoScorpio]

Originally Posted by jbuttz

I've wanted to get checked for bipolar ever since my episode and after reading this. Antidepressants & Bipolar III
Mania caused by antidepressants. The only reason I don't go get it Checked out is because I'm very busy with raising children, working and being trapped in my head

I only have time to skim your link there, but something strikes me. Years ago I remember going on a medication that the doctor warned me would make me insanely manic if I was bipolar. He said it would probably make me strip in public and run around singing. Maybe he was joking, or maybe it doesn't always cause mania in bipolar patients, but I can't remember which medication it was anyway, so it's not much help. But I do know that I didn't experience any memorable mania while on it; the warning of public nudity definitely stuck in my mind.

Mostly I've never considered bipolar because my highs and lows aren't so marked, and I've never had a major depressive episode following a manic episode. Not to mention I can count my manic episodes on one hand, but have been depressed for at least a third of my life.

[ChipperMonkey]

Originally Posted by jbuttz

I've wanted to get checked for bipolar ever since my episode and after reading this. Antidepressants & Bipolar III
Mania caused by antidepressants. The only reason I don't go get it Checked out is because I'm very busy with raising children, working and being trapped in my head

I honestly think this "diagnosis" is invented by pharmaceutical companies. This diagnosis pretty much says that depression is DEFINITELY caused by lack of seratonin. Stop the presses! No such determination has been made, nor will it EVER be made. Depression is complex with numerous causes. (Sometimes it's as simple as an unbalanced diet that is lacking in something.) It's possible to have normal seratonin levels and still be depressed. What happens when you cause someone to overload on seratonin? MANIA! It's like telling someone who experiences psychosis after illegal street drug use that they have a mental disorder when they never experience psychosis when they're sober.

Yes, so instead of following a more logical route by exploring depression due to non-seratonin issues, docs just tell you that you have drug induced bipolar disorder. Sorry, but no.