Bipolar 2

[ocdgal46]

So I think I have bipolar 2, but I'm having a hard time figuring out whether or not I am experiencing hypomania. What does it feel like to experience hypomania?

 

[CraftyTurtle]

It's different for everybody, but for me...
I do not seem to need sleep (3 hours a night, for a week is enough)
I don't get hungry - Food is for wimps. (No sleep and no food - ie "running on empty")
I become obsessed with something (a craft, a TV show, a computer game, etc) and my concentration is hyper-focused on that thing.
My perceived abilities are far greater than my actual abilities (thank God for friends who can stop me before I do something ridiculous)

That's me. Other people spend too much on a whim, take more risks, drive too fast, and speak what is really on their mind (where normally they are more restrained and tactful)

 

[ocdgal46]

This is so helpful! Thanks!

 

[CraftyTurtle]

Assuming you have also experienced bouts of depression (and you have my sympathy if this is the case), I hope you can talk with your doctor or therapist and get a diagnosis- "dx" for short. Seriously, once you get the dx, you can get a wellness plan. (Which is just a cute way of saying "treatment plan")

 

[amymine712]

For me mania has to do with a lot of agitation and not being able to sleep.

 

[Loven God]

For me I get a lot of crazy ideas and spend more then I have . I don't need much sleep and I talk way to much and to fast and most of it does not make any since .

 

[Barzel]

So I think I have bipolar 2, but I'm having a hard time figuring out whether or not I am experiencing hypomania. What does it feel like to experience hypomania?

I have bipolar 1 disorder, but that only means I've had full manic episodes. Hypomania, for me, involves hypersexuality (I develop sexual thoughts that persist and are difficult to ignore), agitation, insomnia (or a need for very little sleep), feelings of grandiosity (i.e., "that girl who smiled at me must be into me"), flirtatiousness, a disregard for dangerous circumstances, excess energy (hands shaking, knees bouncing, can't sit still, hate feeling confined), a disinterest in slow music, all focus on ONE thing (I've sat doing an Excel spreadsheet for World of Warcraft statistics for sixteen hours without a break) OR no focus on anything ("I should take a shower but oh look at that piece of paper I wonder what's on Facebook I like puppies"), and a lack of appetite (who has time to eat when there's more interesting things to do?).

Full mania is all of that...with the volume turned to eleven, just short of a psychotic break with reality.

 

[sahjimira]

R u still on this site? I know it's an old post, but how r u doing? I've got bp 2 also

 

[Korah]

I would say ocdgal46 has Bipolar I. I did not experience in my hypomania such feelings of capability beyond my real capabilities, What i experienced (and experience right now) is capability beyond my usual capabilities THAT ARE REAL, though so incisive that I have to doubt whether what I have perceived is really true or at least whether I could prove to anyone else that they are true.
Here's the Adams Rule for Bipolar (I'm not a psychiatrist, but I would have chosen psychology as my major, all things being equal as they are not--anyone who chooses psychology is mentally ill):
"Have you been incarcerated or institutionalized? If not, you have Bipolar II."

I would guess that she has not been back because her mania got worse and required treatment. After treatment she has focused on getting well instead of navel-gazing here.

 

[ocdgal46]

I'm still here. I am doing ok. I have been hospitalized 3 times over the last year. One hospitalization was for a month long during November and December 2014. I was hospitalized again in February 2015 and July 2015. I have been stable since July. I did get an official diagnosis about a year ago.

 

[sahjimira]

Good for you! So glad ur doing better. Guess what? All this time I thought I was bp ll. Well stopped going to the quack who had me on so many meds I didn't know up from down. It was financial reasons I had to stop going. In reality was the grace of God. I was off meds for almost a year. Long slide down slippery slope. I got so anxious I was shaking. Depressed, on the verge of tears almost always. Went to my GP and asked for lamictal cause I was on it before. He also gave me clonazepam for anxiety. I did better but not good. He referred me to a clinic and I have new doc. She diagnosed me bp 1. I said I didn't hallucinate and she tsttlef off about 5 different criteria for bp1. Not hallucinating is no guarantee you're not bp1. Made sense to me and fit me much better than bp2. I'm on different meds and feel at least 80% better. Still some tweaking to do as expected but definitely on the right track. I agree with Korah
I'm no doc but you sound bp1 to me as from my experience.. Not sure what your situation is with your doc or if you're interested in further evaluation. Are you satisfied with your treatment so far? Keep in touch with us no matter how you feel. Want to know how things progress and if u have questions. Glad u posted
I've thought and prayed for you from time to time
Your sis in Christ..Sahj

 

[ocdgal46]

So I'm struggling again. I think I am in a mixed state. I have been pretty depressed, but I'm also having lots of anxiety and racing thoughts.

 

[Odetta]

I'm sorry you're struggling. Mixed states are the worst, I think. I have prayed for you. Do you think you need a med tweak?

 

[ocdgal46]

Probably. I have an appt. w/ my psychiatrist on March 16.

 

[Korah]

We seem to be dealing only with Bipolar I people here so far. Any Bipolar IIs want to chime in?