I have bipolar II. Is it really that bad to have "hypomania"?

Understand that I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. I am answering this from my own personal experience with bipolar disorder, which I have had for over 10 years (I am 31 yrs old).

When I was diagnosed I had the same exact question. Why on earth would I want a mood stabilizer that would "fix" my GOOD moods? Those productive periods of irrational happiness (in other words, happy for no clear reason or extreme happiness for a very small reason) were such a relief after the periods of depression, the crying, the apathy. Who would want to lose THAT? So I refused to take a mood stabilizer, opting instead for Paxil. I took Paxil for 10 years and Zoloft for two, during which I had fewer bouts of unprovoked depression (although I could still be brought down easily when things went wrong). I continued to have the periods of hypomania, which honestly pleased me.

Ok... a LOT happened to cause this, but looong story shortER I began to realize that the fluctuation in my mood was a real problem. Even though I was going from "eh ok" to "happy" and back (with little or no provocation) instead of "deeply depressed" to "happy", my mood was still unpredictable. I also found that decisions in my life were made based on my mood. If I couldn't control my mood then I also couldn't control my decision making, which is a huge problem. My opinions and decisions were erratic, changing from day to day based on my mood. I found it very difficult to stick to any decision because of this.

Once I realized this I did some research on Lithium. I went to my doctor and told him that I was finally ready to try it. I have been taking it for about a month, so the dosage is still being adjusted, but so far I can really tell a difference. Sure, I don't get those ridiculously happy, manic phases. I don't miss them AT ALL though, because my mood is now stable. I feel "normal" for the first time in many MANY years.

I hope that this has helped to answer your question :) If you have questions you can email me at Dampiera at Gmail. Good luck :)

I can easily understand how hypomania might be enjoyable to some.. great feeling.. but I have a different reaction to it all.. it scares me.. I know that when things start going too well for me and things start making too much sense, I am on the verge of going over the edge.. and it is unpredictable and dangerous there. There is a fine line between being totally in control and going a small step further.

If only there was a way to keep bipolar people stabilized at the typical level of what it is to be hypomanic, we would rule the world and all the problems that plague society today would be a thing of the past .. but that is a statement you would probably have to be bipolar to even begin to understand, right?

BIPOLAR 2 disorder is a mood disorder, and it just so happened that APA(American Psych Assoc.) considers it a disorder, it cycles between periods of hypomania and major depression. It is because sometimes there are those individuals with BIPOLAR disorders that are more emphasized in nature or they manifests more symptoms. It is because according to the psychiatric standards or DSM criteria set by the APA, you need to only have a certain number of symptoms and a duration of time plus combined with the judgment of the clinician, in other words some people have more disturbing symptoms during their hypomanic episodes like being far too energetic or active to the point of not being able to have the time to eat, some even just drop to the floor due to fatigue, insomnia is also one of the symptoms, sometimes, there is also impairment of judgment or there is a sense of impulsivity, people may make bad decisions like investments, shopping sprees etc and even engage in fights or arguments, their behavior may become manipulative, able to find faults and vulnerability in others and may even put the blame on others. Actually in your case, your condition is of the lighter side, hypomania really contributes to your productivity especially if it is well controlled or proper limits are set

most people that are bi polar enjoy their 'high' states better than the low state. they feel they are more productive and enjoy their life more. unfortunately it is short lived because a full blown manic state is very serious. you can lose your judgment, spend money u do not have, and can get in trouble with your friends and family, and pay the consequences later. to help you better understand why this is part of an illness, perhaps, i can explain. i am not qualified to explain this, but my theory is that in a full blown manic state, a persons brain is overloaded and can only take it so long, and shuts down, causing severe depression, if a person is not on medications. yes i believe it is that bad to have a hypo mania state. i have worked in a large psychiatric hospital for 30 years, and most people that are readmitted, with a bi polar illness, have gone off their medications, because they enjoy the manic high state. hope this helps your question.

I think the worrisome part of Bipolar is that you could, over time develop a full-blown manic phase. But, as long as you are not hurting your loved ones, can hold a job and can keep stable relationships, you are doing pretty good.

My moms bipolar, she has her moments yet she's fantastically sane. drugs can help individuals that are bipolar. insanity is a strategies worse than being bipolar. To me, insanity is my relatives at the same time as my mom has 'forgotten' to take her drugs for days. insanity can take as a lot as years of help only to get better from it. some would never get better from it. have self belief me insanity is a lot worse.

its great if thats where you stay, and dont act on any brilliant ideas you have. Tough if youre not sleeping.