Increased Sound Sensitivity During Hypomania and/or Mania? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

neon_dreamer · 08-02-2007, 01:08 PM

Do any of you experience increased sound sensitivity while hypomanic and/or manic? I'm currently in a hypomanic state and have noticed that ordinary environmental sounds seem louder and are more bothersome than usual. With this being my first hypomanic state I've discovered that I start off feeling extremely happy and then feel very irritable. When I'm irritable, I don't like to be in loud environments. Is this a false perception on my part or do some people with BP experience this?

neon_dreamer

Dee-nah · 08-02-2007, 03:14 PM

I get this too, I also get sensory issue's with this.. I do not like to be touched and pretty much just want to be left alone...

tsohl · 08-02-2007, 04:32 PM

Hi ND,

My son experienced that also. Going into a crowded restaurant where there was lots of ambient noise, everyone talking loudly to be heard over the music, etc. woud make him feel very antsy. I could tell from how distracted he got that we were not going to enjoy dinner, so we would walk out and go elsewhere.

seaturtle · 08-02-2007, 07:32 PM

Oh, yes, I get this a lot. Today I was walking, and the sound of cars passing drove me mad. Sometimes the smallest noise will do it, something dropping on the floor. Also light becomes painful - I welcome darkness when it comes.
I'd say any form of stimulation becomes almost intolerable. Sometimes, I can't stand to hear people talking, either. I have to get very quiet.

I start out euphoric, too, full of energy. I speed around for a while, then get feeling nasty and irritable. Sometimes, I feel as if I just can't stand anything - people, noise, any more involvement in life.

Going out into my garden helps a lot, so does communing with my cats.

I've learned not to be around people much when I'm like this. I don't want to snap at anyone just because I am so angry and irritated.

musicgal · 08-04-2007, 06:42 PM

I felt that in the beginning.

I'd be teaching a class and I was so distracted by the tiniest noises, slightest motion - I could hardly focus on the lesson.

That doesn't seem to bother me most of the time, but I often hear music that isn't there, and smell scents that other people can't smell.

Aint bipolar great?