what is hypomania???? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

NancyH · 02-25-2003, 08:44 PM

I just asked for a copy of my Dr(neurologist)documents that he sends to my primary dr today and I was shocked to read some of the things he said about me. He thought over the course of the last year by watching me go from cocky, giddy, happy, euphoric acting to a brooding, sad, irritable woman in less than 5 minutes that I was hypomania, with some bi polar features. Granted I do go for a few days of being so energetic, silly assed school girl, over excersise over indulge in healthy nutritious food to suddenly a brooding, irritable, sad, junk food junkie in a matter of a couple days. Haven't talked to him yet as when I got the papers and got home it was past office hours. Now that I think over the years, my sudden irritableness over little things and it will go for days like that and then the same things that made me rage doesn't bother near as much when I feel so high so to speak. I can be so happy and talk so fast that people feel I'm trying to take over the conversation and within a short time I look droopy or mad looking and walk around sad and serious. Should say my married daughter is Bi Polar(cyclic (sp)I don't know, I also have lived with GAD. I figured someone here might know something as I was rather taken aback with it and at my age!

illusions · 02-28-2003, 08:48 PM

NancyH,

Here is a little bit of info on hypomania:

Hypomanic Symptoms
A hypomanic episode is characterized by an unusually euphoric or irritable mood that lasts at least four days. The symptoms of a
hypomanic episode are exactly the same as the symptoms of a manic episode.

Symptoms include:
*Inflated Self-Esteem or Grandiosity
*Decreased Need for Sleep
*Extremely Talkative/Pressured Speech
*Distractibility
*Racing Thoughts/Flight of Ideas
*Excessive Involvement in Pleasurable Activities
*Increase in Goal-Directed Activity/Agitation

The difference between a hypomanic episode and a manic episode:
Unlike a manic episode, a hypomanic episode does not...
*cause significant impairment to a person's normal functioning, at work or in social situations.
*require hospitalization.
*include any psychotic features, such as hallucinations or delusions.

Illusions

clprez · 03-17-2003, 03:53 AM

You may want to search around the net for the disorder "cyclothymia". It is a "subclass" (for lack of better term) of bipolar disorder. Basically it's like bipolar disorder, but you never go full blow manic, only hypo-manic. I always found it to be a odd term. "I'm manic, but not manic enough to be REALLY manic". To me, "hyper" alone was a easier to understand term.

Best of Luck,

Carol