Bipolar Hypomania: Reader Comment

I just received the following comment from Melissa. I am sure many of us understand! Hypomania is very slippery as it’s often not bad enough for us to stop it before it causes a lot of trouble. It causes trouble eventually, but it’s easy to convince yourself that things will be fine!

Hey Julie!

I’ve been dabbling in my hypomania for quite a few weeks now with increased stress being the culprit that let my balloon fill up. I always watch out for the three S’s when I’m feeling good – Speeding, Shopping and Sex. I’m currently training to walk the Eugene Half Marathon. It is motivating me to keep up on my self-care and exercise but it also seems a little grandiose I guess. Oh well, that’s my world in a nutshell.

Melissa

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This is great because Melissa has such great insight. Speeding, Shopping and Sex! I didn’t think to add the speeding part- though I can drive like a maniac when I’m hypomanic. If you just came out of a manic episode, you’re probably very tired and possibly embarrassed. All you can do is remind yourself it’s an illnes, truly apologize to the people you hurt, and start now to have a plan such as the Health Cards in place to make sure it never gets really bad again. I’ve done this- Melissa has done this!

I think a half marathon is just fine- a full marathon would make me think twice- but only if it were a spur of a moment decision. If you are carefully planning over time and taking things slowly- that may not be mania!

Julie