3 Important Articles

 BP Magazine
The Essential Guide to Recognizing Hypomania
By Carrie Cantwell
Last Updated: 9 Dec 2020

Hypomania can be easy to dismiss��it often masquerades as joy, ambition, and productivity. Which is exactly why recognizing your hypomania �red flags� is essential.
recognizing-hypomania-bipolar-mania-signs

Because I have bipolar disorder, I don�t experience the world like everyone else does. My highs are like a jet breaking the sound barrier. My lows are akin to detritus at the bottom of the Marianas Trench. Those extremes are easy to recognize, but what about hypomania? It�s a lesser form of mania, and it�s sneaky. It feels great, and it often masquerades as happiness.

When I�m hypomanic, music sounds beautiful, food tastes delicious, and I believe everyone loves me. I think I�m invincible. I frequently refuse to accept when I�m hypomanic. I convince myself and insist to others that I�m just happy. But that�s an illusion. Hypomania isn�t an emotion. It�s a chemical imbalance just like depression or anxiety. And the elation that accompanies it is false. It�s a mirage induced by brain chemistry that�s out of whack.

Hypomania can be easy to dismiss. It often masquerades as joy, ambition, productivity and passion. Because hypomania feels good, it�s tempting to refuse treatment. It�s a high that�s addictive, and, like all addictions, it�s dangerous and unhealthy.

Hypomania never lasts. It�s just a stop on the way to mania. Mania is scary, and it can be fatal. When I�m manic, my mind races so fast I can�t think or sleep, and I make dangerous, potentially life-threatening impulsive decisions. I�ve broken relationships and myself in the throes of mania. Suicidal tendencies increase when mania is thrown into the mix.

I�ve identified my hypomania red flags. Your symptoms may be different, and I encourage you to figure out what behaviors are indicators for you.
Sleep disturbances

Disruption in my sleep cycle is the first sign that things in my brain are going haywire. Regulated sleep is one of the most important self-care techniques for bipolar disorder. Sleep irregularity throws me off the deep end. And it�s a vicious cycle. If I get less sleep for a few days, that can trigger hypomania. In turn, hypomania makes me sleep less. I wake up before the alarm clock with ideas buzzing around in my head like a swarm of bees. I know I�m hypomanic when I feel more energized although I�ve gotten less sleep. 

Overconfidence

When I�m hypomanic, I talk to everyone from the busy bank teller to the homeless guy who just wants $1. I chat incessantly with everyone I encounter whether they want to talk to me or not. I think the entire world wants to hear my every little thought because I�m just that darned interesting. That overconfidence is a dead giveaway that I�m hypomanic. 

Not listening

When I�m struggling with hypomania, another telltale sign is my speech. I do most of the talking in social situations, and I don�t listen. It�s almost impossible to wait for anyone to finish a sentence. I constantly interrupt because I think people take too long to get to the point. 

Spending money I don't have

I love shopping, but when I�m experiencing hypomania, I love it too much. I know something is wrong in my brain if I lose my ability to reign in my spending. When I suddenly believe I need 6 expensive black cocktail dresses or I simply must have 12 kinds of coconut facial moisturizers, it�s obvious I must be hypomanic. 

Not eating enough

When I�m hypomanic, I lose my appetite. My nutritional needs suffer. It often leads to weight loss which�for me�is particularly dangerous, because I also struggle with an eating disorder. My hypomania feeds (pun intended) my anorexia and my eating disorder makes my hypomania worse. That has long-term damaging physical and psychological effects. It can even be fatal. If I find myself losing weight and feeling better despite skipping meals or going days without eating, I know I�m hypomanic. 

Hypersensitivity to external stimuli

When I�m hypomanic colors look brighter, smells are more pungent, and even faint noises can be deafening. From the wafting scent of perfume to the sound of a siren in the distance, when I�m hypomanic I�m more acutely cognizant of what�s around me. This hypersensitivity�the constant sensory stimulation�can be overwhelming.
Irritability

The sensory overload I mentioned previously grates my nerves when I�m hypomanic. Even the faintest sound like a sneeze makes my skin crawl. Imagine being forced to wear an itchy wool sweater and being unable to take it off. That�s what it physically feels like to be hypomanic. I often get cranky and my temper flares easily. I�ve snapped at people I care about when I�m in this state, and that puts a strain on my relationships. 

Demanding �justice�

I once wasted 6 hours on the phone with a hospital financial office and my health insurance company arguing about a bill I felt was unreasonable. In the end, I lost. I had to pay the bill anyway. And I�d wasted almost an entire day because I just couldn�t let go of the idea that it was unfair to charge me so much for a routine medical procedure. To my detriment, hypomania took over my day and ruined it. 

Denial and defensiveness

The worst part of hypomania is my refusal to admit I�m hypomanic. I deny deny deny. When someone in my support network�like my mom, who not only knows I have bipolar disorder but is also a psychotherapist�expresses concern, I snap at her and insist she�s wrong. I can�t tell you how many times I�ve said, �I�m fine� when I knew deep down, I really wasn�t.  

I was diagnosed in 2002. I used to ignore the warning signs of hypomania. Now, when I notice myself experiencing any of these symptoms, I suck it up and ask for help. I must also be willing to listen to feedback from others when they see me flying too high.

I have a psychotherapist and a psychiatrist who help me keep an eye on my moods and behavior. I�m open with my friends and family about my bipolar disorder. They know which symptoms to watch for. I�ve made verbal contracts with people I�m close to, to tell me when they see my mood changing. My end of the agreement is to listen to them. I, like so many other people with bipolar disorder, need external feedback. The lack of self-awareness that comes with this illness necessitates outside observation and communication.

Because I have bipolar disorder, I never let my guard down. If I start feeling happy, even if my reaction is warranted, I question my emotions. Once I recognize the warning signs, I admit to myself that I might be hypomanic, and I ask for help from my health care professionals. Hypomania can be curtailed and recovered from much more easily than full blown mania is. Although it can be tempting to ignore hypomania, I must be willing to acknowledge it if I want to stay healthy.

hypersensitivity, hypomania, irritability, signs of mania 

About the author
Carrie Cantwell
Carrie Cantwell is a graphic artist and writer with bipolar disorder. She�s the author of Daddy Issues: A Memoir, about growing up with a volatile father who had bipolar and whom she lost to suicide, and how accepting her own diagnosis taught her to forgive him. Carrie began her career as a feature writer for an online publication. She then worked as a film and television graphic designer for 16 years. In 2021, she retired from the entertainment industry to focus on mental health advocacy and suicide prevention. Carrie writes for bpHope Blog, bp Magazine, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Medical News Today, the Stigma-Free Society, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), and WebMD. Her website is DarknessAndLight.org.

Can Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Cause Loss of Appetite?
Jenna Jarrold 

Bipolar mania and not eating are commonly linked. Find out why those with bipolar disorder can experience a loss of appetite on HealthyPlace.

If you are experiencing bipolar mania and not eating, you are not alone.  Many people in a manic phase of bipolar disorder have a loss of appetite. Sometimes because of forgetfulness, or perhaps an increased sense of contentment, bipolar mania and not eating are commonly linked. 

Bipolar Mania and Not Eating

If bipolar mania is causing you not to eat, it is imperative you identify ways to get back to nourishing your body in a healthy way. Diet and nutrition are vital aspects of everyone�s mental health. Yet when it comes to those with bipolar disorder, a healthy diet is essential to symptom management and thus, the overall quality of life.

Of course, the severity of one�s bipolar disorder (and the length of time in the manic phase) can affect the level to which appetite is affected. For some, a loss of appetite can last a day or two, while others experiencing bipolar mania may not want to eat for weeks.
Bipolar, Manic, and Loss of Appetite

Being in a bipolar manic state and not eating due to loss of appetite can be very dangerous. Although you may not be feeling your regular hunger cues, it is essential you continue to incorporate a healthy diet and eat on a consistent basis throughout the day (Do Vitamins for Bipolar Help at All?). Following a healthy diet for bipolar will not only help you stave off the potential physical problems of not eating, but it can also aid in the management of your bipolar mania symptoms. A healthy bipolar diet consists of:

    Beans � beans are rich in magnesium, and according to much research, magnesium has shown to reduce mania symptoms. So, if you have bipolar mania and are not eating, beginning to incorporate beans could be a good place to start.
    Salt � using salt consistently, as those with bipolar have a sodium imbalance in the brain. Sodium imbalances can lead to mental confusion, mood swings, sweating, fever, and diarrhea.
    Omega-3�s � found in mackerel, herring, trout, salmon, and tuna.  Omega-3�s are synonymous with healthy brain function, and healthy brain function which can help with the impulsivity associated with bipolar mania.
    Turkey � tryptophan is an amino acid found in turkey.  Although it has become synonymous with the sleepy feeling experienced by many after Thanksgiving dinner, tryptophan helps in the production of serotonin.  Many also believe tryptophan aids in bipolar mania symptom management.  If you do not like turkey, tryptophan can also be found in eggs, tofu, and cheese.

If you trying to stay consistent with your diet when in a manic phase and experiencing a loss of appetite, it is important to know there are certain things to stay away from.  Following a healthy diet for bipolar disorder means cutting out:

    Caffeine � caffeine can cause sleep interruption and loss of appetite, which can worsen bipolar symptoms overall.  Additionally, caffeine in itself can trigger bipolar mania (Coffee and Bipolar Disorder Don�t Mix).
    Alcohol � alcohol not only negatively impacts the effectiveness of bipolar medications, but it can also exacerbate mood swings.  Plus, if you have bipolar mania and loss of appetite, alcohol may contribute to the impulsivity you might be experiencing.

If bipolar mania and not eating go hand-in-hand for you, beginning to incorporate a diet consisting of the above-mentioned foods can be helpful.  Yet, if you find you are having difficulty managing your bipolar and loss of appetite, it is important to seek the advice of a medical professional.


Eating for Bipolar Disorder: Best and Worst Foods for Bipolar
Jenna Jarrold


In eating for bipolar disorder, which are the best and worst foods for bipolar disorder? Find out on HealthyPlace.

Eating for bipolar disorder is a natural way to treat and manage the difficult symptoms associated with this mental health disorder.  With the knowledge of which foods to eat for bipolar disorder management, you can begin to make small changes to your diet.  In choosing the best foods for bipolar disorder, chances are you may notice a significant change in how you experience symptoms and notice an overall increase in wellbeing. 

Eating for Bipolar Disorder

Eating for bipolar disorder may look different depending on the specific person.  Although there isn�t one specific bipolar diet every person with bipolar disorder is recommended to follow, there are certain foods every person with bipolar disorder may want to try for symptom management. 

Best Foods for Bipolar Disorder

Research indicates there are many foods that one could benefit from incorporating into his or her diet if living with bipolar disorder.  Diet is a great approach to naturally managing bipolar symptoms. If you have bipolar disorder, try incorporating the following five foods into your diet:

    Whole grains � not only do whole grains have a positive effect on your heart and digestive system, they are essential when mindfully eating for bipolar disorder, as they tend to have a calming effect on the mind. Whole grains are some of the best natural foods for bipolar disorder you can choose.  Try whole grain pasta, brown rice, oatmeal or quinoa.
    Beans � beans are a primary part of any healthy diet, yet individuals with bipolar disorder may benefit from focusing on increasing their intake of pinto, garbanzo, and mung beans, which have the highest concentration of vitamin B9. Vitamin B9 helps sustain adequate homocysteine levels, which, when too low, can increase bipolar disorder symptoms.   
    Dark Chocolate � chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which have various �mood-lifting� ingredients, including phenylethylamine (known to relieve symptoms of depression).  Phenylethylamine is found mostly in dark chocolate.
    Tofu � tofu is made from the curds of soybean milk and, in general, is considered to be one of the most �health-giving� foods available. Tofu is a highly nutritious source of protein and contains omega-3s.  Omega-3�s contribute to mood stability.
    Turkey � this may seem like an odd choice, but turkey, which is high in the amino acid tryptophan, is a vital part of eating for bipolar disorder. Tryptophane helps your body make serotonin, and increased levels of serotonin are helpful with bipolar depression.

Worst Foods for Bipolar Disorder

    Caffeine � Although small amounts of caffeine don�t tend to exacerbate the symptoms of bipolar disorder, caffeine can cause sleep deprivation, which can trigger mania and mood swings. Generally, caffeinated beverages like cola and coffee don't mix well with bipolar disorder.
    Sugar � Eating a diet high in sugar isn�t recommended for anyone, but especially for those with bipolar disorder. Research has shown sugar can interfere with bipolar medication treatments and make them less effective.
    Alcohol � Alcohol is a depressant for anyone, but if you have bipolar disorder, you are more prone to being affected by depressants. Not only can alcohol affect mood, but it can also negatively interact with medication. High-fat foods � those with bipolar could benefit from limiting their trans- and saturated fat intake. These fats can significantly delay the beneficial effects of bipolar medications.
    Grapefruit � This citrus fruit is known to negatively interact with many commonly prescribed bipolar medications.

Making small, gradual changes to your diet is a good place to start.  If you are anxious to begin eating for bipolar disorder and want to make major changes to your diet, it is advised you seek the advice of a medical professional.