10 (UNEXPECTED) Signs of Bipolar Disorder MANIA

When most people think of mania or hypomania (especially those who don't live with Bipolar) they picture someone who is happy, energetic, fast-talking, not sleeping. Basically the results that come from a typical Google search...

Today I want to explore 10 of the more subtle or misunderstood symptoms of mania and hypomania. Things we might not consider related to the illness at all. Things we might not even talk about. I don't need to make a big introduction, so let's get right to it!

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[KathBorup]

Another thing that is a big part of mania is racing thoughts. It's like my thoughts go fast and I go from one idea to the next quickly

[BrokenSofa]

1. Anger/irritatability
2. Hyper/hyposexuality
3. Crazy eyes
4. Ants-in-your-pants
5. Disinhibition
6. Altered perception
7. All go no sleep
8. Creativity changes
9. Delusions and/or hallucinations
10. Cleaning

[donnafiori]

my youngest son has bipolar one and has been through every one of these points. he finally ended up in jail due to DV toward his stepmother, father and brother. he's been released about three weeks ago and is doing very well and he has the support of the entire family behind him. we love him so much.

[weepwillow]

When I got diagnosed with bipolar 2 and started my medication I was amazed by how much more colourful the world became. It was like I got new glasses!

[janeylucia]

Anger, rage, irritability, OCD, excessive cleaning, energy peaks followed by huge crashes after several nights from not wanting much sleep, glazed eyes, rapid & pressured speech, restlessness, skin picking, excessive shopping, making jokes & butting into conversations when not invited.

[chickensdontsurf]

Excellent video.... it's a shame that the DSM and google can't mention things like this, it really makes bipolar hard to diagnose. Thank you so much for doing what you do!

[WhyYouAskinAllTheseQuestions]

As always, thank you so much for your videos. I am 39 and have been undiagnosed and untreated for over twenty years. Bipolar I, rapid cycling, with occasional psychotic features during manic episodes. I am medicated now, and have been in therapy for the last 5 straight years. Your videos, when I found them almost 2 years ago, made me burst into tears immediately because I finally felt that I wasn't alone. Thank you so much for these very informative and compassionate videos, they help people understand this very complicated, very serious disorder.

[brisetta]

I have been diagnosed since 2002 now and yet, never heard anyone discuss these symptoms and other bipolar related topics as clearly as you do. I am just grateful that things stay somewhat manageable for me thanks to medications, I never want to experience delusions again!

[KathBorup]

Thanks for speaking about this Rob. A lot of people think mania must be all fun but I also get super irritable and restless. Insomnia (during mania) had been the worst symptom of my bipolar disorder.

[mantlion_]

It feels so bizarre having my experiences be called into a list like this so concisely. It's like with this illness, my fate can be read out loud in advance... Very strange

[oldsoulmillenial]

After two hospitalizations… the third time was my first ‘unpleasant’ episode of mania, where paranoia and anxiety took over the same wheel that grandiose behaviors usually occupy (I think they call that “mixed” episodes), and all because I was prescribed a steroid for a severe allergic reaction. I noticed it 24 hours in, when I was pacing back and forth at 3am and not even needing coffee, so I quickly restarted my lithium (I had come off months prior) and saved myself a hospitalization by locking myself in the house for a week or so until it kicked in.
PLEASE don’t ever stop your medicine if that’s what they give you. It’s true… without it, any little sleep disturbance, substance, circumstance, new medication, or either stressful OR exciting event (like moving, going on vacation, etc) will most definitely trigger your mania.

It’s a blast a first. Maybe a night or two without sleeping, or waking up at 3am just to listen to music/dance and to think by yourself is fun, but that should be your first major sign.

[Gee-Raf]

Been diagnosed and medicated 18 yrs. Have experienced all these symptoms as well. Its so frustrating when your medicated and still the Bipolar takes over. So glad Ive found this channel and people thst can relate. Thank you 🙂🙃

[sardengineering]

The gospel truth, a light turning on in an otherwise very dark room. If you're on this journey, the biggest comfort has to be knowledge of what's going on, or knowledge of what you can expect. A great many thanks to this continued initiative!

[philippamediwake]

When i’m depressed i’m always waiting for a hypomanic episode when i know i’ll be able to do everything that i’ve fallen behind on!
One thing for sure is self-diagnosis is really difficult with this illness but my family can see my swings & roundabouts!

[sweetsourr]

Currently waiting for another high where I’m more creative and motivated. This is a lot to live with.

[ceencha]

I applaud you for educating people about us having bipolar. I can relate to all of these symptoms.

[drkTchn]

Hi rob! A little of me, I sought help because I couldn't get myself to get a hold of myself emotionally. I was horrible to people I knew before being diagnosed. I obsessed over cleaning to dissociate any bad feelings I had, anger to raging anger to crying uncontrollably and come back to a state of "numb". And kept the cycle over and over, it was draining. I remember a situation when i was around 10, I was incredibly furious, I launched a Tupperware like object to my dad. I don't know what came over me to do that, I just remember my dad and brother talking about some family matter and I lost it. Over the yrs, people labeled me as a ticking time bomb, and would be surprised when they would see me not speak at all, or cry.
I am now taking lamotrigine. It really has changed me. Though I was devastated to find out I was ill, im glad that i took myself out of the comfort zone and talked to someone professional. I truly was losing my mind slowly.

[Invaerne]

I realized that I have bipolar eyes quite recently. I don't know if anyone in my environment notices it, I think they just don't care and focus on my destructive actions and attribute them to me and not the illness 😢
Thank you for this video, it means a lot to me ❤

[karstent]

4:32 Hi Rob. Sleep is the biggest issue I have, it's been like that pretty consistently since around my diagnosis at age 17. In the last few years it's gotten worse. I can call it dyssomnia. It saps my energy every single day. Also my dreams are 98% about complicated, awkward situations, either physical, or personal. I had the best one ever a few months ago, although not a complicated one, for a change. I was sitting at a table in a crowded restaurant. "What's so dreadfully awkward about that?" you might say? I'll tell you - I was sitting on a toilet! 😂😂