What Is Hypomania?

Hypomania is a sub-manic state, which, along with one or more episodes of major depression, warrants a Bipolar II diagnosis (as opposed with Bipolar I -- full-blown mania with or without depression).

Symptoms of hypomania may include optimism, pressure of speech (talking fast), a high level of activity, and decreased need for sleep. Some people also experience increased creativity, but on the negative side, they can also display poor judgment and be very irritable. Hypomanics are usually able to function socially and in their work-life and do not manifest the psychoses that can be part of an all-out manic episode.

Many of the symptoms of hypomania are within the spectrum of 'normal' behavior, so the condition is tricky to diagnose, since the person who is hypomanic typically feels great and is very productive. This good feeling can, however, when not managed, spiral out of control and cause problems in a persons life.

Although for diagnosis, those classified as Bipolar II cannot have had a true manic episode prior to diagnosis, this does not mean that mania could not occur in the future, as untreated bipolar disorder tends to worsen and become more extreme.

The DSM-IV-TR definition of hypomania is: "A distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting throughout at least 4 days, that is clearly different from the usual non-depressed mood."

I am Bipolar II, so this all sounds very familiar.

Here is a link to that provides on-line free access to DSM-IV-TR disorder descriptions, from Behave Net Clinical Capsule.

MooDay

Home, work, kids, doctor appointments for kids...I feel the pressure building. When I start getting very stressed the hypomania begins to feel like a bad, chaotic thing, rather than a happy, productive thing. Gotta cut down on work somehow. How??

Mood-ie-Meter

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional.

Comparison of Bipolar I and Bipolar II Diagnosis

When you look through the literature on bipolar disorder (manic depression) there are many references to Bipolar I and Bipolar II. What is the difference? Which do you have? Here is a very basic summary of the differences between Bipolar I and II.

Bipolar I : This manifestation of the disorder is diagnosed in individuals who have experienced one or more manic episodes, and who may or may not have experienced any episodes of major depression. The DSM-IV-TR, psychology's diagnostic bible, indicates that one or more manic or mixed episodes (manic and depressed) are required are required for this diagnosis.

Bipolar II : Patients diagnosed as Bipolar II have hypomanic episodes rather than full-blown manic episodes, and have had at least one bout of major depression. Hypomania is milder than manic, the prefix hyop- meaning "less than."

Here is a link to that provides on-line free access to DSM-IV-TR disorder descriptions, from Behave Net Clinical Capsule.

Mooday:

Since I posted so recently, the Moo-today is essentially the same as the Moo-yesterday ;)

Mood-ie-meter:

Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional.

Research on Bipolar Disorder & Addiction

In yesterday's posting, I said that I would look into current research and information on the relationship between bipolar disorder and addictive behavior, and I've found some great info and links.

It appears that about 60% of those with bipolar disorder will have problems with substance abuse at some point in their life. This problem actually has its own term, "dual diagnosis", meaning a combination of mental disorder and addiction. Many people with mood disorders tend to self-medicate. Seems there is still less shame associated with being an alcoholic or drug abuser than with having a mental disorder.

A very recent study from January 2009 in the European Psychiatry (referenced below), had preliminary results showing "a strong relationship between Bipolar II Disorders and Alcohol Addiction: hypomanic states induce high risk behaviours which may become responsible for relapse and increased alcohol consumption".

Below are a few recent studies and helpful web articles that I found. Beware when you do mental health searches on search engines. Many of the results that come up are sites trying to see you something.

• Everyday Health Website - "Bipolar disorder and addiction: The dual diagnosis"
• J of Clin Psychiatry, 2006 - "Management of comorbid bipolar disorder and substance abuse"
• European Psychiatry, 2009 - "Alcohol addiction and bipolar disorders"
• Organized Wisdom Website - "Bipolar disorder and addiction"

MooDay

Busy week at work. It is start of the summer semester and I teach. So although I realize that I am hypomanic right now, slowing down is not an option. Maybe next week. Taking meds as I should, but already thinking about having a drink when I get home.

Mood-ie-meter
Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional.

Bipoar Disorder and Addiction

Bipolar, alcohol abuse and other addictions...OH MY!

I'm back! Confused? Read my November 2007 entry on Bipolar Disorder and Routine. There has not been a new entry to this blog for more than a year. Case in point. :)

The topic today is the relationship between addiction and bipolar disorder. I would love to start a comment-conversation on this one with other bipolar folk, so please leave a comment if you have something to contribute.

Alcohol: Although, after being diagnosed with this disorder for many years and learning the hard way the importance of medication compliance (taking your meds on schedule, day an and day out), there has been one request my psychiatrist has repeatedly made that I have never been able to adhere to. "Stop drinking."

I am not a falling-down-drunk-everclear-fifth-finishing-passed-out-in-a-pool-of-my-own-vomit alcoholic. I am probably more of a functioning-3/4-bottle-of-wine-most-evenings alcoholic. But being bipolar, perhaps my version is just as bad.

My psychiatrist always expressed exasperation with my drinking; seemed unable to understand why I couldn't just stop, since drinking while bipolar was clearly not logical..."It's not a good idea to drink with your meds and with having bipolar disorder." Duh! Don't you think I know that? If stopping were easy, it wouldn't be called an addition, Dr. Spock!

The ONLY time that I don't drink in the evening is when I am sick with a cold or some type of immune-bashing illness. The best way I have been able to try and reduce the amount of alcohol I consume daily is to make a point to have my first drink as late in the day as I can, and then switch to hot tea as at another time marker later in the evening.

Smoking: My history of smoking is much like my history of drinking. Not too heavy, but consistent. (Momentary digression...Isn't is bizarre that one of the few consistent things about a bipolar person is the long-term support of an addiction...whatever it may be...shopping, drinking, drugs, bad relationships. It's like excelling at the 'dark side' of routine.)

But listen to this...I quit smoking! So, for all of you bipolar smokers. It is possible. I just had to find a way to make quitting sound appealing. This was my ridiculous, but effective, reasoning, "If you chew Nicorette, you can essentially partake in your addiction anytime. Whereas with smoking, there are only certain paces and times you can do it." Twisted logic, but honestly it worked for me. One month so far sans cigs! Woohoo!

This entry has been more conversational than my past blog topics. I will be doing some research on bipolar disorder and addiction, and will share what I find regarding the latest studies. I plan to resume making regular contributions to this blog. I'll try to start posting something every couple weeks. How 'bout some of you out there begin posting some more comments and we'll get some conversations going?

MooDay

I have been over-committed/scheduled, busy beyond belief for the past year. That's why I have not been posting to the blog. Although not being able to slow down is a sign that something is wrong, I have had very few problems with severe depression during that time. A full in-box seems to help me have direction and purpose. And when I stop to rest, I fall into a mild to moderately depressed funk. This hypomanic 'need to live life at high speed' is certainly relevant to being bipolar. I will also look into this phenomenon more closely and report what I find. I have spent the past year+ being hypomanic. As far at the Mood-ie-meter goes, I'd say an 8 most of the time, except when the bottom occasionally falls through and I plop to a 2 or 3.

Mood-ie-Meter
Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional.

Bipolar Hypomania - Walking the Line

After struggling with diagnosed bipolar disorder for the past 20 years, I think that I have a more realistic perspective of the illness and my vulnerabilities. One temptation is to strive for a mood just shy of of hypomania. Hypomania is a sub-manic state. And honestly, when hypomanic I can get a lot done.

The problem is, even with the vast pharmacopia available for treating mood disorders, no one can precisely control mood. Unexpected stressors in life can't be avoided, and walking the hypomanic line leave little wiggle room when stress suddenly turns up the heat. Hypomania can very quickly turn into full blown mania or head south into depression.

I had been operating in a hypomanic state for some time. With the sudden burden of work and home stressors I spent the last several days sleeping and walking through molasses (figuratively...those of you who have suffered from depression know how severe depression can even make it difficult to move. How everything seems slowed down).

So, since the last posting in December, I was busy being hypomanic and working on other projects to post a Moodie entry. Then I was too depressed to handle much more than getting through the day.

MooDay

Was very depressed over the past several days. Began taking my Zoloft (in addition to the Seroquel and Wellbutrin that I usually take). My psychiatrist usually advises me to add the Zoloft in fall and winter, when depression is usually more of a problem, then stop taking the Zoloft in the spring and summer to avoid hypomania.

Today I feel hypomanic again, but after being depressed it feels great to be functional...a 7 on the Mood-ie-meter.

Mood-ie-Meter
Manic 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional.

Bipolar and Recovering From Debt

A few posts ago, I discussed the common problem of individuals with manic depression generating mountains of debt when in a manic state.

If this has happened to you, once you get your manic depression treated, it may be a good idea to enroll in a debt consolidation program. These programs can get some of your credit card companies to reduce your interest rates and they also prohibit you from opening new accounts or risk being dropped by the debt consolidation program. So you get both the “carrot” and the “stick” to help keep you on track.

Here are a couple of excellent resources to help you find a legitimate debt consolidation program that won’t rip you off.

• Debt Consolidation Programs About.com
• Federal Trade Commission

MooDay
Still going a little too fast, doing too much and not getting enough sleep. So the Mood-ie-Meter is hanging around 7.5. Also running low on scripts, so MUST get the prescription order in the mail TODAY.

Mood-ie-Meter 

Manic 10 9 8 7.5 6 5 4 3 2 1 depresseD

This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be used for the treatment of mental illness. If you are having emotional troubles, please see a mental health professional .