I'm sorry. Maybe start a spreadsheet and try to pay back a little at a time. It may help you to feel proud of yourself. Would this help?

It's worth a try. I will try that. I am so depressed about it. I am going to do something about it. Thank You.

Compulsions like uncontrolled spending or risky sexual behavior were part of the psychosis I experienced in mania.
After beginning lithium treatment I never had psychotic mania again and my behavior normalized quite a bit, to my relief and the relief of others. Maybe talk to your doc about this.

Well, I take Abilify and Bupropion. I am pretty stable otherwise, I was surprised when you suggested it was mania? Hmm..

I call it shop therapy. I'm working on paying off 2 big credit card bills at $1000 each. per month. It'seems easy to get stuck in the cycle when you are down and when you are manic? Good luck, I'mean in payoff mode now. TED

Thanks

Are you on medication? I pretty much stopped my crazy overspending after I began treatment and stayed on my meds.

Yes, Abilify and Bupropion.

overspending is a classic sign of mania, or being on your way to a manic state. it's definitely something to talk to your health care team about. you can also talk to a debt counsellor and get into a programme that will help you start paying down your debt. they'll arrange a monthly payment to take care of your past bills and stop creditors from harassing you. one thing my t-doc suggests is the "one week rule," go online shopping. put whatever you want in your shopping basket or wishlist. if you still really want it and can afford it a week later then you can give yourself permission to get it.

I have the same problem and as a result I am in deep debt. I've made budgets and spreadsheets but to no avail. It's terrible

when i do go to stores I only go to the bargain rails and keep the spending to a minimum most of the time and try to keep well away from them when manic! good luck with it.

I've ruined my credit.. I compulsively spend too, on little stuff. I think it gives me a little boost, maybe like some who gamble, and with my interminable depression, I crave that minute's high. My moods, I think, are well controlled otherwise with lamotrigine. Do you have a therapist?

I have credit card alerts and my husband also gets alerts for expenses. I think on some cards you can set a limit to what you can spend as well. That helps me red flag when I need to discuss this with my therapist and see if there is a manic episode happening. You're by no means the only one with this!