Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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Untreated mania???

Katten
Katten
I don't know if this is the right forum for my question, but I couldn't find a more fitting forum...

So, my question is:

Can a manic episode just stop after 10 days, without any medication or anything like that? I'm diagnosed with bipolar II, and I refuse any mood stabilizers. So far it's worked ok; I have hypomanic episodes every now and then, but it's never got out of control. But, a while ago, I had a ten day episode of what landed at 28 points on the YMRS scale just like that, out of the blue. Then BANG! it just ended, without my having taken any meds whatsoever, and instead I took a dive... luckily, I didn't go that far down, and it didn't last for very long either (about a day or so of 'proper' depression, which then wore off successively over the subsequent week).

Anyway, what I'm wondering is simply: is this possible?? Can a 'proper' manic episode just blow over by itself??? And in only 10 days???

Any thoughts, experience, knowledge whatever! would be *greatly* appreciated!!!

Hugs to all!!!
Katten
Katten
I'm sorry I just realized I should've marked this as 'asking for advice' rather than 'starting a discussion'... Gah, feel stupid now...
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
hi, I've just gone over the YMS to check and I think 28 is still within hypomania so yes it can simply blow itself out. If it were true mania (ie delusional, hallucinations) chances are the crash would be much deeper.

Re it coming out of the blue - actually good term - I find I get that this time of year and I think it's something to do with the low sun on clear blue sky days.
Katten
Katten
Thanks, Acuriousfish! As far as I've been told, though, hypomania's 14-19; mania's 20-30 and 30+ is severe mania... So, my question remains... Then again, I guess it doesn't much matter what we actually call it so far as you think an episode that lands on 28 can blow over by itself, I'm happy :)

I'd still *greatly* appreciate more thoughts on this though :)
evildoer
evildoer
I had a proper manic episode and it blew over in a little over a year at which point I had divorced, remarried, quit my job, started a new job, gone on a road trip on the back of an Italian Sport Bike, done professional photography, traveled, modeled, ran a blog about myself, and then one day I woke up.....that was a bitch.
Katten
Katten
See, that's what I mean! A year sounds more plausible than 10 days... Anyway, how are things for you now..? I can imagine the pain you must have felt 'waking up'... and the sense of loss on all levels (including the loss of being manic...)
2kidmom
2kidmom
Evildoer you sound like what I did in in a mania in years time....yikes the whole divorced, remarried and quit job, moved and so on....I am still dealing with the repercussions! Medication here I come! I never want such craziness again! Katten BP is BP if you need meds I would take them. ;)
irishwriter
irishwriter
I have short term manic episodes all the time (mixed states) and have done the crazy shopping sprees, once talked myself into and out of a job within a half an hour, I could hear myself doing it and just couldn't stop talking!Luckily I was able to repair that particular situation because the person was very 'arty', but that's not always the case and I often lose out because i babble nineteen to the dozen when i am manic! It can last months but during the last few years it has mostly been long deep depressive states and the a week or so of 'out of the blue' manias when i spend all my money and piss everyone off. such fun!
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