I feel it coming sometimes. Either way, I hope that someone around me tells me to go to the doctor which is what I'm going to say to you. Please let your pdoc know what's going on before you make any decisions you'll regret. HUGS!!!

From what I have been reading and learning over the years the main trigger is broken sleep patterns. So you can learn to be aware of when there about to hit.

For several years I never noticed I was manic until I got arrested or hospitalized. It sounds like your manic didn't creep up on you, more like you invited it in by not taking your meds. We all make our own decisions.

If you stop taking your medication cold turkey like that.... it will give you insomnia... and no doubt mania. Ppl that aren't even bipolar and say just have depression. If your body is use to a medication and you just stop, it affects your system and I think the sudden shock in change of brain chemistry will affect you in a negative way.

You should get into to see your PDoc right away, cause just restarting what you have stopped now, is not gonna work. Not to mention stopping such a high dosage so suddently... I'd be worried of seizures to tell you the truth.

It's unlikely to cause a seizure - especially after 5 nights.

From Psych Central.
"Because divalproex is an anti-seizure medication, though, it is best not to stop it suddenly. In theory, a sudden stop can cause a seizure. In practice, we have not seen this happen, but just to be safe, do not let yourself run out of this medication. If you are going to stop, do so by gradually lowering the dose, one pill at a time, over a week."

I have done that recently. Not a very good idea mania can be very dangerous and involve lots of police activity. Especially when you are on an episode of cops and running around the area naked in a total psychotic episode. Heck you can even end up as a registered sex offender depending on where your psychosis leads you to.

Wow ya'll I love the concern for me really i do! but don't worrie i took my nite pills last nite and tonite and im slowly feeling myself come back to "normal"..I know how to handle this I have done it before..yes I haven't missed 5 days before i noticed but I think thats cuz there so much in my life going on..Really I'm fine..theres no way in hell I would go to my doctor he would up my mgs..past what i took before! sayin i need to go up cuz i went manic..which is not why i stopped taking my meds i truelly forgot as i take the same pill(divalproex at 500mg in the morning just one) I only for got my 2 500mgs at nite..No big deal...yes i'm a bit more manic then im was conferable with but i handled it im outta the woods so to say..its not i woke up one morning and though HEY lets forget my pills i dont need those..I know i do..but once again thank all for caring so. I really just wanted to know if anyone else feels it sneak up on them