Over the course of the last few months, it seems like all I've done is whined with each entry. Granted, it was a difficult time, but I knew things would eventually break, and that the promise of a hypomanic tomorrow was on the horizon. Well, tomorrow is here, as is the hypomania.
I’m an outdoors fanatic – it can’t be too remote or rough for me. For anyone who has taken a wilderness camping trip or spent any time outdoors in extreme conditions, it can be a lot of fun, but it can also be punishing. A lot of work, at the mercy of the elements, and so forth. During one memorable trip we decided early on that no matter how bad the food, how cold it got, how hard it rained, or how tired we were, we would not complain. Each complaint would cost you a dollar. One night as we were preparing dinner in a cold rain, cooking old-school dehydrated food (which was just a step above dog food), someone made a derogatory comment about the conditions. We all stopped, looked at him, and before we could demand he put a dollar in the hat and said... "But it's just the way I like it!" We all burst out laughing, and after that we could complain as much as we wanted, as long as we added "but it's just the way I like it!" Even though it might be the experience of a lifetime we can always find something to complain about, can't we?
I found myself complaining about my hypomania the other day, and after my struggles of the last two months the thought of complaining about hypomania started me laughing. I thought to myself "but it's just the way I like it!" While there's a lot to like about hypomania, there's also a lot to fear. Many stereotypical bipolar disorder behaviors come out of hypomania such as hypersexuality, out of control spending, and more. In fact, when I tell my pdoc about a hypomania, he gets concerned. He rarely seems concerned about a depression, but mention hypomania and watch his brow furrow and pencil fly across his notebook. I suppose it's right to be concerned, but it's just the way I like it...
As much as this seems like common sense, and as ridiculous as it seems to many of us, there really are some precautions I take when hypomania rolls around.
First, and foremost, avoid substance abuse. Laugh all you want, but as obvious as that statement is on it's face, it's so easy to forget. We feel so good, we're ready to party, and we end up trying to enhance our mood. Years ago I got caught up in the cocaine boom of the late seventies / early eighties, and that was exactly my frame of mind. When you felt great, when you wanted to party, the cocaine made you party even harder. It's no wonder it's so dangerous, on it's face the effects aren't that strong, but what it does to you is so sneaky it can ruin your health and your life before you know what's going on. They say the crystal meth you get today is even worse. I've seen the effects of that first-hand on some acquaintances, and you couldn't get me to touch either of them with a ten foot pole these days.

I give you kudos to you for holding on to your dreams and not letting go. 

Hi GJ,
Thanks for the reference to my sleep advice. I too, have just experienced a hypomania that was both welcome and bittersweet. The third week of November found me in a long-awaited Social Security hearing, (2years, 4 mos). Fortunately there was enough information from my doctor and my personal testimony that I was fully approved at the conclusion of the hearing. And although I had to keep telling myself this ordeal was over, it has taken me all these past weeks to gracefully accept it. Until I see official paperwork, I continue to microscopically keep record of moods and meds and daily activity.
Now the day after my hearing, and parallel to the let-down adjustment, my 8th grade daughter got a 10-day suspension from school:
"For threatening that she could 'take a knife, stab a girl in the heart, and kill her'."
My A student child, recently suffering verbal abuse from another student, on is on the brink of expulsion. We've been in counseling since last spring due to issues with her father, and depression. Just prior to school starting, she was kicked out of her father's for fighting and calling 911 because he was drinking.
I have always wanted her with me, and now I am fixing the broken parts. Her counselor and I are being very vigilent for any signs of an affective-mood disorder. So far it seems easily corrected with cognitive therapy and some firm, loving limits. I put us in the little boat together. She hated the close contact for awhile. She didn't want to sink or swim.
Yesterday we were driving to Wal-Mart and playing Redneck Car Bingo. It got to be so funny; I was actually making her laugh so hard she was crying and sliding out of her seat. And I just kept it up, all day, I was loud, and fast with words, and creative with problems, and able to drive with comfort. I wasn't at all tired and I wanted to drink and smoke in a bar (impulse). My daughter was having trouble staying awake after 9pm doing her homework and I volunteered to do it for her. She just looked at me weird and said "Why aren't you tired yet,Mom?
"It's just too nice and warm out, I guess. I like this unseasonably warm weather; it won't last long.
I identify with the struggles you are having with your daughter. We had a rough time with one of my boys. He's a great kid, but was a real handful growing up.
Congratulations on your social security! You got through in less than 3 years, which I hear is the average. We're helping my son down that path right now, and it's a brutal process. When I get to be King, that's going to change...
OK, you HAVE to tell me about Redneck Car Bingo. You have my curiosity up.
Thanks for your comment, and may your productive and pleasant hypomania last indefinitely.