Sing, Scream or Cry? Comparing Hypomania, Mania and Depression

Like much of bipolar disorder there is a lot of confusion on moods. What is depression, hypomania, mania? How can you distinguish between the various moods? I’ve put together a tongue-in-cheek list of ways I distinguish between my personal moods. As you read these, get ready to leave comments with your own lists.

Hypomania: It’s great not having to sleep.
Mania: If I don’t sleep I’ll end up in the hospital.
Depression: I wish I could get up.

Hypomania: Who needs meds?
Mania: I need meds.
Depression: Maybe if we add a little bit of this to your current meds…

Hypomania: I want more.
Mania: I can’t take much more.
Depression: Who cares about more.

Hypomania: I love the energy.
Mania: Please, make it stop!
Depression: Give me enough energy to get out of bed.

Hypomania: I’m so creative.
Mania: I’m so tortured.
Depression: I’m so nothing.

Hypomania: Suicide would be insane.
Mania: Suicide would be a welcome relief.
Depression: I don’t have the energy to even try.

Hypomania: Nightclub.
Mania: Hospital.
Depression: Home.

Hypomania: Turn it up.
Mania: Shut it up.
Depression: Turn it off.

Hypomania: Raising voices.
Mania: Hearing voices.
Depression: Lost voices.

Hypomania: I’ll pick you up.
Mania: They’re coming to get me.
Depression: Don’t bother, I don’t feel like going.

Hypomania: But it’s only been 3 times.
Mania: Get the (bleep!) away from me.
Depression: Yeah, right…

Hypomania: Sing
Mania: Scream
Depression: Cry

Hypomania: “I want to rock and roll all night…”
Mania: “Here we are now, entertain us, I feel stupid, and contagious…”
Depression: "...fool said I you do not know, silence like a cancer grows..."

Hypomania: Workout
Mania: Blackout
Depression: Hideout

Hypomania: Life of the party.
Mania: Is thrown out of the party.
Depression: Couldn’t begin to party.

Leave a comment with your own examples!