Oh d@mn, I don't know what's going on, but I'm feeling very freaky after my Wellbutrin experience. Mania has never been my problem (I've been hypomanic, delusional, and depressed, though), but the way I feel makes me wonder if that stinkin' Wellbutrin made me switch phase. Can anybody tell me whether the following behaviors indicate mania?

-Blowing money right and left buying duplicates of items I already own
-Wanting to listen to ten zillion songs at the same time, but not being able to choose one to start with so I end up not listening to any of them
-A sudden burst of creativity (I've written three entire chapters on a book I've been working on since 1999)
-Extreme impatience with other drivers/customers at the store who get in my way

I have a shrink appt. on Friday--had my old shrink fax them my records about my previous treatment with lithium. I'm starting to think I really need it NOW.

Anyway, if anybody who's been manic recognizes these as warning signs, please let me know!

The symptoms you listed certainly indicated mania for me, but we are all different. I didn't want to sit still for any reason, but I also had a hard time making a decision - so I ended up buying duplicates of things , or I couldn't figure out what to eat so I ate everything in sight, or I would sew up a storm during a manic phase.... I also could be extremely irritated with others who I thought were being a pain! lol

Did Lithium work well for you? And if so, why did you stop using it? Just curious...

The fact that you are aware of these things happening seems to be a good sign to me... Often when I went into a manic phase, I was oblivious to it until I came out of it and was faced with the after effects of my actions... I think it's good that you have an appointment with a doctor on Friday. I hope you'll discuss your previous treatment plan and I know I probably don't need to mention this, but please be sure to be as honest as can about the feelings you are having. And about the 'busy-ness' in your head... if you know what I mean... Good Luck!

Yeah, the lithium did pretty well for me before. I was in a depressed state and had no history of mania/hypomania at that point, so after a short course of treatment they stopped the lithium. Now I would say that that was my first episode, but at the time I didn't know jack about BP so I just figured it had cured my depression. I remember complaining about feeling "grayed-out" while on it, but again, I didn't know enough to ask if we could experiment with my dosage. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20 vision.
Thanks, I'll tell my shrink all of this on Friday.

Oh d@mn, I don't know what's going on, but I'm feeling very freaky after my Wellbutrin experience. Mania has never been my problem (I've been hypomanic, delusional, and depressed, though), but the way I feel makes me wonder if that stinkin' Wellbutrin made me switch phase. Can anybody tell me whether the following behaviors indicate mania?

Here is a good indicator of the different degrees of depression and mania:

Mazmanian Mania-Depression Mood Scale


Manic Delirium: 5
Altered Consciousness
Hallucinations, incoherent, or disorganized Speech
Disoriented

Manic Out of Control: 4
Crying, Unreasonable, Screaming
Flight of Ideas
Grandiose delusions
Hallucinations
Swearing, threatening or Lashing out
No Need of sleep

Overactive, Disinhibited: 3
Very expansive
Poor concentration, Pressured speech, Grandiose
Quickened pace, Disinhibited, Decreased decorum
Little need for sleep

Agitated loud: 2
Elevated mood, Inflated self esteem, Expansive
Apprehensive, Unwarranted optimism, Overconfident
Active, Verbally loud
Less need for sleep

Irritable, Aroused: 1
Short-tempered, Mild mood elevation, Guarded attitude
Distractable, Confident, Optimistic
Guarded body language

Euthymic/"Even Keel": 0
Appropriate mood, No suicidal thoughts
Normal speech, Normal thought, Guilt absent
No anxiety
No sleep difficulties, No somatic complaints

Withdrawn quiet: -1
Mildly depressed, Loss of satisfaction, Feels weak
Slight retardation, Self-reproach, Altered eating
Slightly withdrawn, Slight tension, Figety, Irritable
Minor somatic complaints, Fatigued, Restless sleep

Mild Depression: -2
Looks sad
Obvious retardation, Pessimistic
Avoids others, Minimal responses, Worried
Plays with hands or hair
Frequency somatic complaints

Moderate Depression: -3
Apprehensive, Hopeless, Suicide plan
Poor concentration, Obsessive guilt
Isolates self, Lethargic, Non-functional
Somatic preoccupation, Major sleep difficulty

Severe Depression: -4
Extremely hopeless, Serious suicide attempt
Delusional guilt, Unable to concentrate
No activities, Severe agitation
Somatic delusions, Unable to sleep even with meds

Depressive Stupor: -5
Emotional paralysis
Accusatory hallucinations
Stupor or mute