hey everyone

So I haven't been on this forum for a long time, and I'm not sure anyone here even recognizes me. I went on here because I thought I might have bipolar, but now my depressive phases are mostly gone and I just get hyper every once in a while (like right now). Like, I have a lot of symptoms of mania, but it's nothing dangerous, like I'm not very impulsive or reckless. I just have a lot of fun, listen to fast music, dance around and talk way too fast. I guess I'm just hyper and veeery excited.
The thing is, even this doesn't come regularly. I though it was gone, until recently it came back.

My question would be, can you be manic/hyper/overly energetic without having bipolar/mania? Does it happen to "normal" people too or is it definitely something mania-related? I mean, I thought I can't have bipolar but I'm not feeling very normal lately, so maybe I do???

I don't know, just wanted to know what you guys think. I don't really want to do anything about it as long as it's nothing dangerous (I used to be a little more reckless when like this) and I'm just giddy and super-happy and energetic and enjoying myself. Just seems weird to me that I get like this when I don't really know anyone else who doesn't have bipolar who acts like this (unless it's just their personality, and it's not mine). I've been quite happy lately, and in a very good place mentally, but this IS a little extreme.

So yeah, would be cool if you could tell me what you think!

have a great day everybody!!

I am pretty convinced that bipolar isn't simply "depressed and (hypo)manic periods" but more like inability to stay in one point on the scale. Also, I think my boyfriend has exactly what you describe here: he only gets to the top half of the scale -- from "normal" to hyper/energetic/creative/happy. He never gets depressed. It's like the perfect version of bipolar.

In any case glad to hear you've been happy and in a good place hopefully you can stay there!

haha I plan to stay there forever! ^^
If only I could!

I used to only have depression, and no mania, then for a short time both and now only mania every once in a while and most of the time I'm stable. The depression was more caused by the situation that I was in living with my mother, and now that I'm out of there, I'm fine. Just getting hyper every now and then. I agree that it seems like the perfect version of bipolar (as long as I can make myself eat enough and stuff) so I'm not gonna complain xD

Nicky, I actually recall your username. The thing about Bipolar is that stressful situations can either bring out mania or depression. Cyclothymia is a mild form of Bipolar and a step up from clinical depression. Most people lead a life without being diagnosed or going unnoticed with Cyclothymia. This sound like something you could be experiencing. I am not a trained professional at all so I can't diagnose anyone and even if I was I would have to meet you in person to get an accurate conclusion. If this is something that is bothering you, I would reach out to a psychiatrist or psychologist who could help you.

Cyclothymia? Interesting. That might actually make sense, because my depressive episodes could never be qualified as major depressive episodes, so cyclothymia is definitely something I should think about.

I know I'll have to get a professional opinion but right now I'm not able to (and won't until at least after summer) and I just like to try to figure things out on my own as much as possible and try to "treat" myself. I usually understand what's going on with me much better, and the fact that I was let out of a mental health clinic when suddenly switching from being all depressed to manic or hypomanic because of antidepressants and they didn't even notice a thing wrong with how I was behaving.

It's true though that I can't know for sure what's going on with me, no matter how hard I try.

Sounds like you're having fun, enjoy it!

Cyclothymia is definitely a possibility, but only a doctor can confirm that, of course. I just wanted to point out something my p-doc told me the first time she mentioned BD: it's possible to experience mostly mild symptoms. If it doesn't interfere with your quality of life and your day to day activities, good! No need to medicate for something that's not really doing anything harmful.

This made a lot of sense to me. Unfortunately, that's not me. But if it's you, great! Enjoy it, have fun. Just be mindful of yourself, your behaviour, actions and emotions. If something changes, you might have to take action. If not, then go with the flow!