Hypomania

[little1]

I friend of mine is experiencing what looks like their first episode of hypomania.

They have had periods of depression before but this is the first time that they have shown any signs of high mood - or at least showing many of the symptoms that I would associate with high mood in myself.

I have a few queries,

What would advise would you give someone experiencing their first episode of high mood?
What oh-uh-I-need-to-see-a-doctor signs would you look out for?

I'm not sure how much help I can be too them because my mood might be heading in the same direction and I can't help but think it is destiny and what wonderful things we could possibly do together. At the minute I can see that it is not the most sensible of thoughts to have so I thought I would reach out for some advise whilst I might be still able to act on it!! haha!

Thank you! Any other words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated also!

[Arienette]

Wreckless behaviour that is ot of character : spending, drinking or substance use, sexual encounters

A change in their humour: more extreme. Cracking more jokes. A change of tone in jokes to be inappropriate. Also a lack of filter when talking with others: more crude, more rude,

Quick fire temper or anger. Quick to frustrate.

Apparently delusional or grandiose behaviour. Much higher self esteem (arrogance/almost narcissistic ) that is out of character.

Grand ideas that are evidently unattainable (being famous over night, making £££££)

--> definitely try to catch it early on. Because it can get scary as it escalates. And uncomfortable and dangerous. Also when you relalise you want it to stop, it's usually too late.

Definitely recommend talking to mh team/dr/whoever available medical wise.

X

[little1]

Thank you for your replies

They spoke to me about it because they know about my own bipolar diagnosis and other people had commented on their behaviour.
Personally I think their mood is above a really good mood but whether it is sufficiently high enough to be clinically hypomania I don't know. I'm not a doctor.

They are sleeping less and not needing sleep but they are still sleeping more than what I would class as my own warning signs. They are talking quicker and more animated/tell more jokes etc but they don't seem to have pressured speech and content is mostly normal. So whilst these things are out of character there aren't flashing immediate alarm bells to me. However they are having some unusual thoughts like being able to control the minds of others and have a much higher self esteem and engaging in inappropriate relationships that their husband would not approve of.

So yeah there are a few things that concern me but there are also a few things that are less concerning. If I wasn't a bit hypo myself I'd probably be trusting my own judgement more!! It wouldn't be the first time I've thought something was totally fine only to come down and find it wasn't and in this case it someone else's life that would be screwed over if my judgement is wrong.

I have suggested that they see their GP but they aren't keen on this.

[Arienette]

I was at a workshop about bipolar yesterday. The speaking psychiatrist said that in type 2 the hypomanias can be so undramatic compared to full mania that it often goes undiagnosed or under the radar.

I think this is true from my own experiences where I've been maybe hypo but not enough to require additional treatment or wind me in trouble.

Hopefully one day they will see a dr and get the right help when they're ready to go and talk about it or when it's forced upon them to some degree.

X

[Eska]

^ That's my experience too.

[little1]

Thanks.

Yeah my hypomanias can fly pretty close to mania. My current team have said that some of my previous ones possibly would have been classed as mania had I been under them only my team at the time weren't very on the ball!

On the other hand they can also be fairly undramatic (perfect description!!) and pass on their own for the most part - certainly since I have been on good medication! :D

Thanks for your advice, I think for the time being I'll help them keep an eye on things and see how things go. They aren't on antidepressants or anything like that which is a bit of relief because I know they can accelerate switching.

Is there anything you wish someone had told you when you started getting high moods? I feel privileged that they felt about to trust me with their concerns, I really don't want to let them down and am keen to be as helpful and useful as possible!!

[Eska]

No one picking up on my high moods and bringing them to my attention meant I went misdiagnosed with unipolar depression for years, so yes, I wish someone had said something about the possibility that my high moods were actually hypomania.