How many of you are prone to manic episodes?

**Antagonist** · 02-26-2009, 09:39 AM

Usually my mood is a constant state of apathy with the occasional ups and downs. For the most part, I do what needs to be done and I try to apply myself in everything I do so that my work is quality, but rarely (once a month or so) I go into what I can only describe as a manic episode. I'll be sitting at work and suddenly feel extremely confident, energized, and my focus will be unbreakable. I'd have to say that some of the best work I've ever done seems to be when I'm in the midst of one of these episodes. They are not long lasting, however; typically just a few hours, and then I go back into my usual state of mind. Is this something that happens with all of you or am I just crazy? =D

**Prunesquallor** · 02-26-2009, 09:41 AM

Sometimes, yes. And not always because of caffeine.

**AbsoluteGenius** · 02-26-2009, 09:57 AM

It happens to me quite a lot. I am hoping to have a career in screenwriting and I often find myself effortlessly thinking up new ideas. I have hundreds and hundreds of ideas for stories. I also go through the same process when I am writing dialogue. Sometimes I sit down and everything comes so easily. However, there are also times when I am not motivated and I find it extremely difficult to do any writing at all.

**Maayan** · 02-26-2009, 10:14 AM

Yes. They've given me decrepit volumes of "While on vacation..." legends. What you said + this:


	Mania affects the hypothalamus and the pituitary-adrenal-axis by causing it to secrete hormones in different amounts, that accounts for hypersexuality, changes in metabolism

**Jinxu** · 02-26-2009, 10:49 AM

	Originally Posted by Antagonist To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Is this something that happens with all of you or am I just crazy? =D

Maybe this thread will help answer your question:

Does anyone believe in astrology and mood swing?

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Also don't forget to vote.

**Eric86** · 02-26-2009, 09:09 PM

I get hypomanic episodes, but I've never had a manic episode before.

**Santana28** · 02-26-2009, 11:51 PM

yep... fortunately they're alot more often than the depressive episodes.

when do i know i'm manic? when i'm listening to random music and i break out laughing because it is just *that*damn*good*
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i also get the hyper-focused-while-at-work thing, and i have a feeling that i'm actually quite annoying during these stages because i do tend to get rather cocky and vocal and confident, and it gets me into trouble from time to time. i have to watch myself...

its fun, but it can get you into trouble if misapplied.

**Steel** · 02-27-2009, 07:44 AM

Never.

**LaoTzu** · 02-27-2009, 07:50 AM

Constantly.

I'd go so far as to say, it depends what side of the bed I get up on; as to who I will be that day.

**unnu** · 02-27-2009, 04:28 PM

I do feel heightened episodes, I'm not sure if they're manic episodes in the clinical sense (bipolar). It's usually after being inspired by someone's work. A few associations will gradually build into a whole web, euphoric feelings and a desire to find strong connections within the mess will occur for almost an hour.

**randyNH** · 02-28-2009, 05:02 PM

I get occasional hypomanic episodes. I feel euphoric and have tons of energy.

I am really paying attention to my thoughts more lately and have noticed patterns that change my mood. In a hypomanic state, in my case was usually brought about because of discovering a new future accomplishment I would like to attain. I would set a lot of goals and leave little time to relax. I would miss a few days of minor tasks for the new accomplishment then I would kind of beat my self up over it and go into more of a depressed state.

I now am now taking things slower and not taking on so much. I am focusing more on self discipline and efficiency than more time dedicated to the subject.

I hope someone understands this rambling

**crux** · 02-28-2009, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by randyNH
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I get occasional hypomanic episodes. I feel euphoric and have tons of energy.

I am really paying attention to my thoughts more lately and have noticed patterns that change my mood. In a hypomanic state, in my case was usually brought about because of discovering a new future accomplishment I would like to attain. I would set a lot of goals and leave little time to relax. I would miss a few days of minor tasks for the new accomplishment then I would kind of beat my self up over it and go into more of a depressed state.

I now am now taking things slower and not taking on so much. I am focusing more on self discipline and efficiency than more time dedicated to the subject.

I hope someone understands this rambling

Don't worry about it, I can see where you're coming from with this, and yes, someone does understand this rambling
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**annaelizabeth** · 03-01-2009, 03:25 PM

no I don't get like this. I think being hypomanic occassionaly wouldn't be so bad as I'd get a lot accomplished, but I wouldn't want to be that way all the time. I am a bit more motivated some days than others, but nowhere near the manic spectrum.

**kincatt** · 03-01-2009, 06:04 PM

	Originally Posted by annaelizabeth To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	no I don't get like this. I think being hypomanic occassionaly wouldn't be so bad as I'd get a lot accomplished, but I wouldn't want to be that way all the time. I am a bit more motivated some days than others, but nowhere near the manic spectrum.

Being hypomanic (for me) is when I get the least done! But it also the time I get the most back, physically and psychologically speaking. It's my time to recharge so I can enter the manic stage when needed (at work, dealing with immediate pressures, or at home, dealing with family and/or -- of all things -- house cleaning). lol..

**annaelizabeth** · 03-02-2009, 03:42 PM

	Originally Posted by kincatt To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Being hypomanic (for me) is when I get the least done! But it also the time I get the most back, physically and psychologically speaking. It's my time to recharge so I can enter the manic stage when needed (at work, dealing with immediate pressures, or at home, dealing with family and/or -- of all things -- house cleaning). lol..

hmmm, if you had truly manic episodes I can't imagine you'd be getting a lot done or be too happy about it. They are very destructive and disturbing from what I've heard and not something you'd want to be in for a long period of time, not to mention the crash that usually follows. Hypomania is a milder form of mania, where you can still function, just at this hyper, always on state, but not as severe as mania, which impairs function. That is why some people see no problem in being hypomanic, when in fact it can be a sign of an impending mania and a symptom of bipolar disorder. Sometimes I think people are just hypomanic (without reaching full blown mania) and that's part of their personality, but that's my personal theory.

**Goethe** · 03-05-2009, 06:34 PM

I find my default state will vacillate from hypomania to melancholy, with frequent bouts of severe depression and occasional manic episodes.

**Ender** · 03-05-2009, 07:45 PM

I'm not sure I've ever had manic episodes. There's one time I can think of when I was more focused, motivated, and thinking more clearly than normal, but I think had had a lot of caffeine so it could have just been that.

Most of the time it's more like the opposite: I have depressive moods and just feel exhausted and unmotivated/lethargic. Usually it has a lot to do with high stress levels and being overwhelmed to the point that I feel like "why bother."

02-26-2009, 09:39 AM	#1
Antagonist Member [05%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 206	Usually my mood is a constant state of apathy with the occasional ups and downs. For the most part, I do what needs to be done and I try to apply myself in everything I do so that my work is quality, but rarely (once a month or so) I go into what I can only describe as a manic episode. I'll be sitting at work and suddenly feel extremely confident, energized, and my focus will be unbreakable. I'd have to say that some of the best work I've ever done seems to be when I'm in the midst of one of these episodes. They are not long lasting, however; typically just a few hours, and then I go back into my usual state of mind. Is this something that happens with all of you or am I just crazy? =D
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02-26-2009, 09:41 AM	#2
Prunesquallor Veteran Member [66%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,647	Sometimes, yes. And not always because of caffeine.
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02-26-2009, 09:57 AM	#3
AbsoluteGenius New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 22	It happens to me quite a lot. I am hoping to have a career in screenwriting and I often find myself effortlessly thinking up new ideas. I have hundreds and hundreds of ideas for stories. I also go through the same process when I am writing dialogue. Sometimes I sit down and everything comes so easily. However, there are also times when I am not motivated and I find it extremely difficult to do any writing at all.
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02-26-2009, 09:09 PM	#6
Eric86 Member [23%] MBTI: INFJ Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 951	I get hypomanic episodes, but I've never had a manic episode before.
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02-26-2009, 11:51 PM	#7
Santana28 Member [31%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,247	yep... fortunately they're alot more often than the depressive episodes. when do i know i'm manic? when i'm listening to random music and i break out laughing because it is just thatdamngood To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. i also get the hyper-focused-while-at-work thing, and i have a feeling that i'm actually quite annoying during these stages because i do tend to get rather cocky and vocal and confident, and it gets me into trouble from time to time. i have to watch myself... its fun, but it can get you into trouble if misapplied.
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02-27-2009, 07:44 AM	#8
Steel Banned MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 396	Never.
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02-27-2009, 07:50 AM	#9
LaoTzu Core Member [106%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 4,263	Constantly. I'd go so far as to say, it depends what side of the bed I get up on; as to who I will be that day.
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02-27-2009, 04:28 PM	#10
unnu Member [03%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 142	I do feel heightened episodes, I'm not sure if they're manic episodes in the clinical sense (bipolar). It's usually after being inspired by someone's work. A few associations will gradually build into a whole web, euphoric feelings and a desire to find strong connections within the mess will occur for almost an hour.
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02-28-2009, 05:02 PM	#11
randyNH New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 50	I get occasional hypomanic episodes. I feel euphoric and have tons of energy. I am really paying attention to my thoughts more lately and have noticed patterns that change my mood. In a hypomanic state, in my case was usually brought about because of discovering a new future accomplishment I would like to attain. I would set a lot of goals and leave little time to relax. I would miss a few days of minor tasks for the new accomplishment then I would kind of beat my self up over it and go into more of a depressed state. I now am now taking things slower and not taking on so much. I am focusing more on self discipline and efficiency than more time dedicated to the subject. I hope someone understands this rambling
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03-01-2009, 03:25 PM	#13
annaelizabeth Member [31%] MBTI: INFJ Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,248	no I don't get like this. I think being hypomanic occassionaly wouldn't be so bad as I'd get a lot accomplished, but I wouldn't want to be that way all the time. I am a bit more motivated some days than others, but nowhere near the manic spectrum.
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03-05-2009, 06:34 PM	#16
Goethe New Member [01%] MBTI: INFJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 24	I find my default state will vacillate from hypomania to melancholy, with frequent bouts of severe depression and occasional manic episodes.
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03-05-2009, 07:45 PM	#17
Ender Veteran Member [71%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,858	I'm not sure I've ever had manic episodes. There's one time I can think of when I was more focused, motivated, and thinking more clearly than normal, but I think had had a lot of caffeine so it could have just been that. Most of the time it's more like the opposite: I have depressive moods and just feel exhausted and unmotivated/lethargic. Usually it has a lot to do with high stress levels and being overwhelmed to the point that I feel like "why bother."
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