Hypomania or mania?

imaginethat · Oct 01, 2020 at 10:52 AM

I'm having another manic or hypomanic episode, I can't tell.

* My brain has been unable to focus for very long.
* I have racing thoughts.
* I've been losing a lot of sleep.
* I've been spending a lot of money.
* I've been calling friends and family repeatedly in a day when I usually only talk to them once a week.
* I've felt fabulous about life and myself (and I don't use "fabulous" lightly).
* One time I woke up and found a noose shape shown on the wall and ceiling. I thought it was a sign to hang myself even though I haven't been feeing suicidal. Turns out my cell phone cord was shaped like a noose and the light was reflecting it onto the wall. That was really scary.

What's the difference between hypomania and mania? I think that hypomania is more associated with BP 2, which my first psych said I have. But the second psych said I have BP 1. I don't know what to think.

What difference does it make? I feel like I have less to worry about if it's just a hypomanic episode. That might be wrong.

fern46 · Oct 01, 2020 at 10:58 AM

You nailed it. What difference does it make? Call your pdoc and nip it in the bud.

Hypomania is less intense. I'd say you're in mania as you have a majority of the symptoms, they are at extremes and you have delusions kicking in.

It is great you reached out. Take the next step and get some help before this goes off the rails.

*Beth* · Oct 01, 2020 at 11:40 AM

I'm glad you've reached out, too.

I agree with fern.

imaginethat · Oct 01, 2020 at 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fern46

You nailed it. What difference does it make? Call your pdoc and nip it in the bud.

Hypomania is less intense. I'd say you're in mania as you have a majority of the symptoms, they are at extremes and you have delusions kicking in.

It is great you reached out. Take the next step and get some help before this goes off the rails.

Thanks Fern46. I was going to wait it out and see if things get better, but you're right. I need to call my pdoc.

*Beth* · Oct 01, 2020 at 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imaginethat

Thanks Fern46. I was going to wait it out and see if things get better, but you're right. I need to call my pdoc.

It's often difficult to make that call, but every time I do, I'm very relieved.

imaginethat · Oct 01, 2020 at 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BethRags

It's often difficult to make that call, but every time I do, I'm very relieved.

You're right, it is difficult to call. I don't like to admit there's a problem. Plus I just increased my Abilify dosage and don't want to increase it again. Actually, it probably really isn't working. Another good reason to call my doctor.

fern46 · Oct 01, 2020 at 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imaginethat

You're right, it is difficult to call. I don't like to admit there's a problem. Plus I just increased my Abilify dosage and don't want to increase it again. Actually, it probably really isn't working. Another good reason to call my doctor.

It is difficult. Admitting my mind isn't right makes me feel broken and I do not like that feeling. My husband reminds me I would be broken if I couldn't do the hard part and choose what is best for me. The fact that you're taking this step means you're already on your way. Sending lots of support!

Soupe du jour · Oct 01, 2020 at 03:24 PM

I do think you should reach out to your psychiatrist to nip it by the bud. I don't know if you have hypomania or mania right now, but if you are just hypomanic, it could rise to mania later. You do seem to have a great deal of insight into what is happening. That makes me wonder if you are at least now only hypomanic. Whether or not you were full blown a little while ago, I don't know.

MuddyBoots · Oct 01, 2020 at 07:33 PM

Mania is when you become a real danger to yourself and others. I know when my old pdoc saw me hypo he would just up my anti-manic med and tell me to try to rest, avoid caffeine, use protection, don't be shy with the PRNs, etc. If he saw me manic he'd say "it's hospital or death at this point" and he'd call my emergency contact to get me to the ER to choice between taking a pill or them ripping my clothes off for a shot. It's also a matter of functioning. Hypo a lot of people have increased functioning compared to baseline. Manic is significantly decreased functioning.
Of course either way you should inform your pdoc and let him figure it out.

bpcyclist · Oct 01, 2020 at 07:43 PM

I lose insight early, during hypo. I have come to simply count on a few pals and you all to pick it up when I start getting too excited, so I can nip it and avoid the hospital.

*Beth* · Oct 01, 2020 at 10:44 PM

How's it going, imaginethat?

Crazy Hitch · Oct 02, 2020 at 02:36 AM

You definitely are on your way up so see if you can get an adjustment of meds before you go too far up. Good luck!

Bipolarchic14 · Oct 02, 2020 at 10:52 AM

I often wondered the difference between hypomania and mania. I think the difference may be with mania you are no longer aware of your actions and their potential consequence. I think if you are at a point where you can stop and say hey am I manic you are probably not. Still need treatment of course but I think awareness probably plays apart. If you can look at your finances and say I am spending a lot of money needlessly you can devise a plan to stop that. When you are completely off the wall the pain sensors are gone. Until one day when the mania is gone And you look at your Cc bill and your new shoe collection and say to yourself why the f*** did I think I needed a new pair of shoes for each day of the year.

imaginethat · Oct 02, 2020 at 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BethRags

How's it going, imaginethat?

I'll be better soon. My doctor prescribed Zyprexa so I can sleep. Hopefully it'll also straighten out my thinking.

Thanks for asking

imaginethat · Oct 02, 2020 at 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bipolarchic14

I often wondered the difference between hypomania and mania. I think the difference may be with mania you are no longer aware of your actions and their potential consequence. I think if you are at a point where you can stop and say hey am I manic you are probably not. Still need treatment of course but I think awareness probably plays apart. If you can look at your finances and say I am spending a lot of money needlessly you can devise a plan to stop that. When you are completely off the wall the pain sensors are gone. Until one day when the mania is gone And you look at your Cc bill and your new shoe collection and say to yourself why the f*** did I think I needed a new pair of shoes for each day of the year.

That credit card bill is a wake up call. I'm returning over half the stuff I bought.

With this latest manic episode, I finally realized it even though it was still going on. I did stop the shopping but still had the racing thoughts, scrambled thinking, and disrupted sleep. My doctor is putting me on Xyprexa short-term so that my brain and body can rest.

fern46 · Oct 02, 2020 at 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imaginethat

I'll be better soon. My doctor prescribed Zyprexa so I can sleep. Hopefully it'll also straighten out my thinking.

Thanks for asking

That's a great update. I hope you are able to come down gently and get some rest.

*Beth* · Oct 02, 2020 at 07:37 PM

With BD especially, sleep is key. I hope yours is peaceful and healing.

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fern46 Grand Magnate Member Since Mar 2019 Location: USA Posts: 3,021 5 4,300 hugs given	Oct 01, 2020 at 10:58 AM #2 You nailed it. What difference does it make? Call your pdoc and nip it in the bud. Hypomania is less intense. I'd say you're in mania as you have a majority of the symptoms, they are at extremes and you have delusions kicking in. It is great you reached out. Take the next step and get some help before this goes off the rails.
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Beth catches the flowers Member Since Jul 2019 Location: Downtown Vibes, California Posts: 15,701 (SuperPoster!) 4 23.7k hugs given	Oct 01, 2020 at 11:40 AM #3 I'm glad you've reached out, too. I agree with fern. __________________
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bpcyclist Legendary Member Since Sep 2019 Location: Portland Posts: 12,681 (SuperPoster!) 4 40.2k hugs given	Oct 01, 2020 at 07:43 PM #10 I lose insight early, during hypo. I have come to simply count on a few pals and you all to pick it up when I start getting too excited, so I can nip it and avoid the hospital. __________________ When I was a kid, my parents moved a lot, but I always found them--Rodney Dangerfield
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Beth catches the flowers Member Since Jul 2019 Location: Downtown Vibes, California Posts: 15,701 (SuperPoster!) 4 23.7k hugs given	Oct 01, 2020 at 10:44 PM #11 How's it going, imaginethat? __________________
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Crazy Hitch ɘvlovƎ Member Since Nov 2013 Location: Australia Posts: 18,560 (SuperPoster!) 10 12.6k hugs given	Oct 02, 2020 at 02:36 AM #12 You definitely are on your way up so see if you can get an adjustment of meds before you go too far up. Good luck!
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Beth catches the flowers Member Since Jul 2019 Location: Downtown Vibes, California Posts: 15,701 (SuperPoster!) 4 23.7k hugs given	Oct 02, 2020 at 07:37 PM #17 With BD especially, sleep is key. I hope yours is peaceful and healing. __________________
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