How can I tell happiness from hypomania?

This is a problem I run into from time to time. Sometimes I get these surges of good energy when everything feels great and I can accomplish a lot of things but they only last for a few days at a time. Given the short length of these periods I'm hesitant to call it hypomania. I don't know what it is. Maybe that's just what a euthymic mood is like?

Are you on medications?

On lithium i felt like my "hypomanias" were very short lived and not as intense. They came and went all throughout the spring. I think if i were not on medication then those short bursts would evolve into a true hypomania.

I'm on lithium too. I think that explains it. I kind of miss the hypomania, though.

Can't hypomania also be real happiness? Like wouldn't you expect to go a little hypo if you're really really happy?

Ronald wrote:Can't hypomania also be real happiness? Like wouldn't you expect to go a little hypo if you're really really happy?

I don't think so. There is happiness because that's the emotion you're experiencing under whatever conditions, then there is hypomania which is a mood state that is, for one reason or another, a "problem."
Happiness isn't overconfidence and lack of judgement. It's not a complete lack of inhibition. It's not racing thoughts and only naturally speedy people being able to understand you. It's not losing impulse control or flipping out over little things. Happiness is feeling good, but maintaining a steady level of functioning and judgement.
I think of hypomania as a natural coke high.

Everyone's hypomania is a little different, but it's called hypomania and is treated because there are downsides. You could wind up in debt, with an STD, unwanted pregnancy, broken relationships, or injuries because there is almost always an element of doing things that can and will hurt you thinking that they won't, or if you have BPI you could escalate into full blown mania and potentially psychosis. Because no two person's hypomanias are the same the answer to your question, brakingdown, is different from person to person.
If I'm hypomanic I sleep a lot less and have more energy than I know what to do with. I can go from "life is perfect" to screaming and yelling because the guy ahead of me is doing 49 in a 50. I think I'm better than everyone else. Everybody and everything is too slow. I feel my thoughts are like a drug. God is flowing through my veins. My behavior is unpredictable, and as the hypomania gets worse my family and friends complain that they can't understand anything I'm saying or doing, and it sometimes hurts them.
If I'm happy there is none of that. I'm not a saint, but I have some semblance of patience and I get along with people better. I feel good, but I'm not euphoric. People still tell me to slow down because that's just me, but it's generally just a few sloths.

brakingdown wrote:I'm on lithium too. I think that explains it. I kind of miss the hypomania, though.

Me too.

There must be a happy medium. I hear lamictal is better for depression, whereas lithium is better for mania. I personally am being taken off of lithium and will be only on Vraylar, which is nice.

Some room for happiness; less feeling flat.

voracious_lemon wrote:

Ronald wrote:Can't hypomania also be real happiness? Like wouldn't you expect to go a little hypo if you're really really happy?

I don't think so. There is happiness because that's the emotion you're experiencing under whatever conditions, then there is hypomania which is a mood state that is, for one reason or another, a "problem."
Happiness isn't overconfidence and lack of judgement. It's not a complete lack of inhibition. It's not racing thoughts and only naturally speedy people being able to understand you. It's not losing impulse control or flipping out over little things. Happiness is feeling good, but maintaining a steady level of functioning and judgement.
I think of hypomania as a natural coke high.

Everyone's hypomania is a little different, but it's called hypomania and is treated because there are downsides. You could wind up in debt, with an STD, unwanted pregnancy, broken relationships, or injuries because there is almost always an element of doing things that can and will hurt you thinking that they won't, or if you have BPI you could escalate into full blown mania and potentially psychosis. Because no two person's hypomanias are the same the answer to your question, brakingdown, is different from person to person.
If I'm hypomanic I sleep a lot less and have more energy than I know what to do with. I can go from "life is perfect" to screaming and yelling because the guy ahead of me is doing 49 in a 50. I think I'm better than everyone else. Everybody and everything is too slow. I feel my thoughts are like a drug. God is flowing through my veins. My behavior is unpredictable, and as the hypomania gets worse my family and friends complain that they can't understand anything I'm saying or doing, and it sometimes hurts them.
If I'm happy there is none of that. I'm not a saint, but I have some semblance of patience and I get along with people better. I feel good, but I'm not euphoric. People still tell me to slow down because that's just me, but it's generally just a few sloths.

Thanks for the response. Sounds like it's easy to conflate elevation with hypomania and hypomania with lower-level mania. The distinction between them is mostly a matter of functionality; hypomania is for the most part controllable, but your description seems to fit well with what you'd expect on the cusp of mania while not quite being mania itself. But I get the impression that you think hypomania is more inherently dysfunctional than it actually is. Only the more extreme examples will experience most of the things you've mentioned, and it's not required that irritation be a feature. Quite possible to be slightly hypomanic and for that to have been situationally triggered, and for it to be not a bad thing at all.

Ronald wrote:Thanks for the response. Sounds like it's easy to conflate elevation with hypomania and hypomania with lower-level mania. The distinction between them is mostly a matter of functionality; hypomania is for the most part controllable, but your description seems to fit well with what you'd expect on the cusp of mania while not quite being mania itself. But I get the impression that you think hypomania is more inherently dysfunctional than it actually is. Only the more extreme examples will experience most of the things you've mentioned, and it's not required that irritation be a feature. Quite possible to be slightly hypomanic and for that to have been situationally triggered, and for it to be not a bad thing at all.

I understand, I was just pointing out potential differences between happiness and hypomania. You obviously don't have to experience every thing I wrote for it to be hypomania. Sometimes the only differences you'll notice is you sleep less but don't feel tired and your thoughts are quicker.

Honestly, and this is just me it may not work for everyone, but when hypomania is mild and you're just experiencing more energy than usual despite less sleep/food intake I don't even bother looking for it and asking if I'm at the point I can call it hypomania. Sometimes it doesn't develop to the point I need to take action. If it's not hurting anyone, I'm enjoying it, and there's a 50/50 shot of it not getting bad, why do anything? When others start to notice and my symptoms are that pronounced or when I get frustrated that nothing is fast enough for me, that's when I do some self-reflection and say "yes, I am hypomanic right now, looking back this probably started a week ago and I need to take it easy for a few days, and tell my close ones to keep an eye on me in case I lose insight." I would also recommend calling your doctor if you trust him/her and get some med changes.
If I were back on meds, I wouldn't risk a change too early because sometimes I'm just elevated for a day or three and come down with no harm and maybe taking extra Risperdal would just make me unnecessarily tired, flat, stupid, and hungry, but if it is developing and starting to affect things it would be needed and worth it to avoid full blown psychotic mania.

I mean, if there were no significant differences between happiness and hypomania, what's the use in calling it hypomania?

I don't want to hijack the thread, but I feel this is related enough and I feel this distinction is probably more important (I'll start a new thread if it's not), but where exactly is the line between hypomania and mania?
I've always understood it as mania is when you lose functioning and insight, and this is when psychosis can enter the picture. From my understanding you can't have psychosis and hypomania unless you have schizoaffective disorder. Mania=in danger, needs to be hospitalized. Hypomania=should be treated, but doesn't need inpatient. Other thoughts?

Not a hijack at all! I and I'm sure others appreciate your candour and insights, thanks for giving such a meaningful response.