Hypomania?

[Something Else]

My T thinks I'm having some sort of hypomanic reaction to an increase in meds dosage. Actually, she thinks I have hypomanic episodes sometimes anyway, but that the meds increase is making it more constant and pronouced or something like that.

But what I want to know is, does anyone have any ideas for coping with this sort of thing in a healthy way? I mean, most of the time, like now, I'm happy and energetic and bouncy and excited. But, at the same time, it's 1:30am and I'm wide awake. I want to be active, doing something, but there isn't much to do that won't wake my family up. And besides, I know that what I really need to be accomplishing right now is sleep.

And I'm a little worried, because it doesn't take much for all the happy bouncy energy to become crazed, agitated, scary and not-at-all-happy energy.

Either way, I don't know what to do with myself, or a safe way to come down (can you?) or whathave you. I'm a little concerned about keeping myself safe and all, y'know?

Sorry, this is really stupid, but I thought someone might know some decent way of coping and staying safe and all while feeling all this energy (good or bad or whatever).

[beachgirl]

Hi - I've had that feeling and it can be fun and sort of scary at the same time. First, have you talked to your doctor about the reaction to the meds increase? He may need to change things again. Or, if it is something that you will adjust to but will take some time, a benzo like Xanax can be helpful in the short term to calm you down a bit.

In the meantime, I find that I have to be very strict with myself about doing things that I know are healthy. For instance, if I am awake and it is 1:30 a.m., I need to stay off of the computer. It is simply too stimulating (I know that it seems to relax you but it really doesn't.) If it's time to be sleeping, then I make sure that the lights are low and just watch tv with the volume turned low. I can't just lie still in bed, but the tv usually keeps me occupied enough without keeping me too alert. It is very, very important to keep yourself on a normal sleep/wake cycle since that is one of the main triggers. So, even if you aren't sleeping, make sure you are resting as quietly as possible.

Some exercise during the day helps - although not too much because that keeps things revved up as well. Eating at regular times and eating healthy foods. Definitely staying away from caffeine; that is a very bad thing for me when I am already hypomanic. No alcohol either.

I tend to want to shop when I am hypomanic so I try to remember to do things like leave my credit cards at home. Other people have different things that they might feel compelled to do so it is important to make sure that you don't have easy access to whatever it is that isn't a great idea to do when manic-ish.

The other thing that I find I must try to be aware of is the tendency to overcommit myself. After all, when I am hypomanic, I AM super-human and can do every single thing! When the inevitable downswing happens, I am completely overwhelmed by all that is unfinished around me.

If you are not sure that you can recognize these things in yourself, and it can be hard to do when manic, then asking someone close to you to help you keep an eye out for out-of-control behaviors is a good idea. Life can simply be too much fun to be sensible about it so it helps to have someone who isn't feeling the same way on your side.

Good luck. As you mentioned, hypomanic can quickly turn into a feeling that I describe as "frayed" as if I've simply gone too long at too fast a pace. So, I think asking for some ways to deal with it is a great idea. Maybe your t has some other thoughts.

Susie

[Something Else]

Thanks for the response.

I did ultimately decide to let my T call my pdoc, which she should be doing sometime today. She says she'll call me afterwards, and let me know what's going on with that.

In the meantime, I'll try doing some of that stuff, like quietish activities before bed, but sometimes it's really hard to sit still, and I don't have a TV in my room, so watching TV is likely to wake my parents. Also, no one in my family knows about the meds, or that I see a T, or any of it, so I can't really talk to them.

I've noticed that I've spent a lot more money than usual in the last few weeks, since going on the meds (and even before the increased dosage). And the overcommitment thing. I'm already working 35 hours a week and taking two college courses, as well as volunteering two hours a week and going to weekly therapy appointments. And now I've added another class at the adult school for Tuesdays, and I'm having to try really hard to not add any other things to my schedule, because I know I'll eventually regret it if I do.

[beachgirl]

Good for you for letting your t call your pdoc! I know that kind of stuff can be so hard.

Sometimes just being aware of spending or overcommitting can help you not do it. And, as I said, leaving credit cards, checks and most cash at home really curbs the spending. I learned that lesson the hard way.

Sitting quietly can be very hard, if not impossible, so don't stress yourself too much about it. But, do try to do things that are not too stimulating when you should be sleeping. I find that reading or concentrating on things is pretty hard, but maybe you can flip through magazines or catalogs, or do crossword puzzles or something like that. A warm bath and relaxation candles might help. Visualization exercises might also help if you can get your mind to hold still long enough! Mine tends to jump around pretty chaotically so some of these ideas might be good goals to reach for, but not really completely doable. As I said, just being aware of what you are trying to achieve can be helpful.

I hope your pdoc or your t call you soon. In the meantime, do what you can to stay safe.

if it's okay,
Susie

[Something Else]

The pdoc just called. He says to stop taking the meds. I go see him in another week. I don't know what'll happen.

I'm really frustrated. Years ago, I was on Wellbutrin, and it worked fine. This time 'round it's just making me crazy. I've been on too many antidepressants that have had crazy side effects. I think I just react badly to all of them.

Maybe I shouldn't even bother living!

(I'm safe. I am just really frustrated, and feeling really hopeless.)

[beachgirl]

Wellbutrin seems to affect a lot of people like that. It was the one I couldn't take at all because it made me over-the-top anxious and then gave me strong SU feelings.

It definitely gets frustrating to find the right meds. I can sympathize! I now take Effexor as an AD and Lamictal as a mood stabilizer which seems to be a good combination for me.

I hope you can find the right ones as well!

Susie

[Something Else]

Thanks. I'm a little worried, because this is through the university medical center, and I graduate in just over a month. After that, I guess I'll need to find a new pdoc, and I don't know how that would delay the process of finding the right med/meds for me. But if I react badly to so many of them, maybe there's just something inherent about antidepressants that doesn't work with my system? Maybe I'm just meant to be depressed?

[beachgirl]

I don't think so - I'm sure it's just a matter of finding the right one, or combination of meds. My pdoc is actually a psychopharmacologist so he specializes in psych meds. If you have a complicated history with meds, maybe it would be helpful to try to find a doctor with this specialty. This is the first time that I've really had any success with an SNRI (which is what Effexor is.) However, the older tricyclic antidepressants worked well for me. Fortunately, my pdoc is comfortable with all of these meds and willing to work with me to find the right one.

Don't give up. It is definitely worth it when you find ones that really help!

Susie