Stimulant Abuse *Trigger warning*

I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder 3 years ago, and have been taking stimulant medicine (dextroamphetamine) for 7 months. I recently have been diagnosed with BPD II. I haven't had a full blown case of mania yet, but have been having rapid cycling hypomania for months. I was wondering if anyone else who uses/abuses stimulants with Bipolar Disorder would like to share?

It first became apparent to myself that something was different when a serious relationship ended and I didn't feel that deep dark depression I always feel. At the time I may not have realized it right away but I was hypomanic. Before that had happened, I was taking the recommended dose of my stimulant, smoking only a few cigarettes per week, and had a fairly stable routine. Within 2 weeks I was taking double doses and not sleeping several nights in a row, smoking a half pack of cigarettes a day, partying all night, being late for work, using prescription drugs and marijuana (history of some use in the past) and being more bold in my actions. I wouldn't say I felt invincible-over confident would better describe it. Normally someone would look at my behavior and think I was depressed from the relationship ending and making poor choices, however that wasn't the case as i felt happy. The first to notice my behavior and point it out was work, I had been a few minutes late only once or twice in 2 months prior, and I had now been late 3-4 times in a matter of a few weeks. About 3 weeks in and heavily sleep deprived from running on 3-5 hours of sleep per night versus 8-10 normally, I began to become paranoid that I was being followed. This lasted a few days, and I would say that is where the first cycle shift happened. I had lost about 10 pounds that month from not eating. I lost/quit my job 4 weeks after the episode began. I had about one month of hypomania, and went into more of a mixed episode. I began to sleep a few hours more, and didn't feel quite as great as I had. Since then I would call my state to be lightly hypomanic, more of a mixed state.

Who else has used stimulants to chase hypomania/mania?
Could anyone give me an estimate on how long mood cycles tend to last? - My depressed states tend to be most dominate with short lived hypomanic episodes lasting 1-3 days to a month tops. The introduction of the stimulant has changed this somewhat.

The only stimulants I use are caffeine and nicotine, but I find that even these can affect my mood. It sounds like you are quite unstable atm and I would suggest seeing your Dr for a meds review. Overall it is better to be stable than chasing the high.

Cracked

Though I am sensitive to stimulants in general, I have found that they affect my moods. Long term caffeine use made me so aggresive, I started getting episodes of rage. When I was off stimulants, I once drank a cup of coffee. It had me up all night and I was partying all night, being the life of the party. It might've put me in a hypomanic state.

Now in my honest opinion, when it comes to BP, I don't think stimulants can trigger you, but I think they reduce your abililty to control yourself if you are triggered. But that's just my own opinion.

Stimulants like ADHD Meds have triggered some major bipolar episodes for me. They always make me a manic, out of control mess.

It's interesting that someone posted on this. My doctor is toying with the idea of ADHA with me. I was concerned about how I may react being on stimulants. What you are talking snout was the way I was leaning. I'm sorry that you went through this but your experiences have helped me.