Can I induce hypomania?

Factual Questions
1

And if not, why not?

In the current weight-loss thread, I was reminded of the easiest time I ever had eating sensibly and, more, living my whole life in the most positive and rewarding way I ever had: it was maybe six years ago, when I went through a hypomanic episode (diagnosed confidentally by a shrink friend of mine, in a freindly conversation, not in a professional consultation). Simply, I ate only what was rational to eat (i.e., not when bored, or nervous, or upset, but only when truly hungry, and then only as much as healthful as I could), and I slept very little, 4-5 hours per night, giving me scads of free time, but mainly I was overwhelmingly positive and optimistic about my life. I brimmed with confidence that my problems at the job could be solved, and that I was just the boy to solve them, I had loads of good ideas and energy to act them out, and I was happy as a pig in shit.

When I described this state to my friend, he just nodded his head, and said, “Uh-huh, uh-huh. yep, you’re having a hypomanic episode. Ever have it before? Well, you’re having it now. It’ll go away by itself, probably, but you need to watch out for a severe crash–deep depression, lack of energy, and so on.” The crash was fairly mild–basically, a return to my previous and current state of normal energy but I long for another episode, one lasting the rest of my life.

Did I dodge a bullet or something? I don’t see what was so bad about being hypomanic–my life was completely manageable, almost ideal, for that brief period. Is any work being done on inducing hypomania? Or is there some danger greater than that my shrink friend described (and I dodged)?

2

Are you sure you don’t mean hypermanic?

Regarding your question I’m sure someone with the appropriate qualifications and experience will come along shortly.
Perhaps Tom Cruise himself will pop in to educate us all on the history of psychiatry.

:smiley:

3

Well, you had a mild case. The severe sufferers cannot manage their lives. They become convinced they have superpowers. They buy sixteen budgerigars a day. They start a zillion projects and finish none of them. Stuff like that. That’s a good reason not to attempt to induce it.

I’ve had what I believe was a mild hypomanic episode, and I agree with you, it’s great.

4

:smack: Um, yeah, I guess I should’ve tapped my brain for the long forgotten psych program I was in at college. Disregard my last post.

I’ll quietly step away now.

5

Yeah, you can spark 'em. But it’s a bit like challenging a dragon: You never know if you’re up to the fight until you’re in it, and then it’s too late to go back. For me I can’t control them very well at all. Mercifully once I’m in 'em they’re short–12-24 hours, but the 'payback" sucks. a week or so of depression.

6

Sure. They’re called “amphetimines.”