hypomania or just excited

[Olanzapinelenny]

hello,

has anyone experienced what they believe to be hypomania and for how long? Reading on symptoms I am resonating with it but wonder if it’s within healthy remits and not bipolar, just motivated drive during periods of change for short times (less than a day) or if it’s something to keep closer eye on. Will discuss with professional at next appointment, but just curious of others experience if you were happy to share.

Thanks

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi Olanzapinelenny,

Thank you for writing, I hope you've been keeping well

I'm sure others who have a diagnosis of bipolar and/or have experiences of hypomania will share their experiences. I just wondered if you might find it helpful to keep a track of your mood (if you're not already doing this) - I know there are apps and tools available to help with this? It might help you to identify what you feel are your own 'normal' parameters and what to look out for that feels to be falling outside of these, and any patterns? If you do feel your mood is getting 'too' high, it might also help to identify any triggers for this. It might also be helpful to take this along to your next appointment.

I know it can be really difficult, questioning ourselves and worrying that what feels like a good day could maybe actually be a bad thing! But I do think it's sensible to keep an eye on things when it comes to our mood so we learn what our own healthy remits are, and can recognise when we maybe need to slow down and rest. Asking those close to you to also let you know if they feel you're not quite yourself could be helpful as well (I know there's a balance here to not feel you're being monitored constantly, but it might help you to feel reassured just to have someone looking out for you).

Take good care and do talk it all through at your next appointment, hopefully that will help to reassure you.

Sending best wishes,

Jenny x

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Olanzapinelenny,

It's a really good question and one that I have asked myself a few times. I think it is a good idea to bring it up at the next appointment, journalling could be a good idea to keep a record of what you are noticing. When you are on the moment it is not easy to compare against you on a happy day and judge what is normal you and what is not. We also don't have any other experience of feeling this except our own, so objectivity is not there really.

I wonder if others around you have noticed some symptoms? That's a good indicator for me. Do you have a care plan listing your early warning signs? It is a good idea to go back to it and check if you are showing some of them and then speak about it to your doctor.

Take really good care, do keep on talking to your team and share here whenever you feel like it.

Maria

[Carmen25]

I had an episode of hypomania. I was very productive and felt very confident which I did enjoy but I also felt “wired” all the time and was getting much less sleep than usual (which didn’t bother me at the time). After about a month i went to the GP because I couldn’t relax at all and felt the need to move and do things constantly so I knew I needed some medical input. I was given a low dose antipsychotic and was well again by July

Hope this helps

Best wishes

[Olanzapinelenny in reply to Carmen25]

This is really helpful thank you!

[Survivedwithcolor]

This is a good question and one I’ve been wondering about myself lately. When I was treated for PP they told me I had bipolar disorder, but that was largely from descriptions of myself having more energy at some times than others; no one ever observed this. Throughout my life I’ve had times where I’ve had more energy and less energy, but it’s never been anything extreme. I always thought it was normal to have ups and downs, but have never been sure where the line is. I looked this up online and read that in order for it to be considered mania, it has to be enough of an increase in mood and activity that other people notice it. I can’t say that’s true for myself, but then again my husband is not particularly observant, or if he sees it he never mentions it. I’ve never had a provider say they’ve seen it, and some have said specifically they’ve never seen it in me. So whatever it is, it’s pretty mild. Still, in my diaries there were definitely times that I had better mood, was more productive, and didn’t sleep as well. And when I did get PP, my journal showed that I had something like a manic episode come on after I started taking an antidepressant; I subsequently became psychotic from there. I’ve learned that antidepressants can do that.

Bottom line - maybe? Not sure. If you find out anything else, let me know!