Mania or Mixed State? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Neleah · 09-30-2006, 10:26 AM

It has been so helpful to read about the experiences of people with bp around here, especially when it comes to mania. I have repeatedly read that people also experience hopelessness while manic. I think I am not really sure what a mixed state is then. I talked to my (ex-)bf a few times this week and asked him how he is feeling currently. He said he feels motivated, able, optimistic and motivated. He feels clear and focused. But he does not believe there are genuine feelings and feels out of touch with his emotions. He does not trust people's emotions for him. He always feels angry and cold and while he does not always *act* angry, he goes into rages about everything that bothers him (which I witnessed on the phone). He cannot relate to other people's pain and he still does not have a sense of how I am feeling (but I don't really bring this up anymore). He feels he is above other people, more aware of things, has deeper insights, etc. A few days ago when we talked he was depressed (he said he feels like nothing matters, nothing is of a value, has been feeling like it for a while.

I am just describing this because I am wondering if this would be mania or a mixed state, if this sounds familiar to people, if anyone has any input and, well, to get it off my chest around people who can relate.And who knows, perhaps it's helpful for someone just like other accounts are so helpful for me.

You all have a great weekend!

jgr01 · 10-01-2006, 02:16 PM

Hi Nealah,

well, he could be mixed but more likely rapid cycling imho.

jgr

Neleah · 10-01-2006, 02:53 PM

Thanks for the reply. You think it could be rapid cycling? Thing is that when he was stable, he occasionally (once a week or less) was manic (with delusions) or depressed for perhaps a few hours and then went back to normal. Around June he seemed to cycle a lot more and was manic or depressed more often, but never for longer than perhaps a day at most with many normal days in between (which seemed more like rapid cycling to me, but what do I know...). For the past two months, he has been *continuously* aggressive, angry, emotionally detached, distrustful of people's emotions, as well as delusional more often.

So while he feels motivated, optimistic, and able on the surface, he simultaneously feels that nothing matters and everything, especially emotions is not real and worthless under the surface. Does that sound familiar to anyone?

frozeninside · 10-01-2006, 05:40 PM

So while he feels motivated, optimistic, and able on the surface, he simultaneously feels that nothing matters and everything, especially emotions is not real and worthless under the surface. Does that sound familiar to anyone?

Count me in.

I wish I had an answer. Better yet, a solution.

makeworldgoaway · 10-01-2006, 08:41 PM

Sums up how I feel to a tee!