When Feeling Great Isn’t Always Good

I used to love the early stages of hypomania—the creativity, the confidence, the endless energy. It felt like I had finally stepped into the best version of myself. Hypomania can be intoxicating, even euphoric, but it never lasts. It always slips into something darker, sometimes ending in hospitalization.

For those of us living with bipolar disorder, hypomania feels like a gift but is often a warning sign. While others may feel energized because of real-life events—a new job, a big achievement—hypomania can appear without reason. That unpredictability makes it difficult to recognize until it’s already reshaping your world.

This blog explores what hypomania really is, how to recognize its signs, and why understanding it is essential for mental health stability and self-compassion.

A Closer Look: What Is Hypomania?

Hypomania is a milder form of mania. It involves an elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least four days, often with increased activity or energy. Unlike full mania, hypomania doesn’t cause severe impairment, psychosis, or always require hospitalization.

Common Symptoms

• Elevated mood or irritability
  

• Reduced need for sleep
  

• Racing thoughts and pressured speech
  

• Increased energy and goal-driven activity
  

• Impulsivity and poor judgment
  

• Inflated self-esteem or grandiose thinking
  

Hypomania in Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II

• Bipolar I: Hypomania may precede more severe manic episodes, often with psychosis and significant impairment.
  

• Bipolar II: Hypomania involves similar symptoms but without psychosis or hospitalization. It can still disrupt judgment, relationships, and wellness.
  

Though less severe than mania, hypomania often blurs the line between “productive energy” and dangerous instability.

The Allure and the Risks of Hypomanic States

Hypomania often begins with heightened creativity, motivation, and excitement. You may wake with energy after little sleep, throw yourself into projects, or feel “superhuman.” But the shadow side quickly follows: risky choices, impulsive spending, reckless relationships, or pushing your body and mind beyond safe limits.

The crash afterward can be devastating—filled with shame, guilt, and exhaustion. I’ve learned through lived experience that these behaviours aren’t personal flaws but symptoms of a complex illness. Self-compassion is essential. I am not my illness, and neither are you.

Learning to Recognize Hypomania in Real Time

Recognizing hypomania early is difficult—especially when it feels good. But awareness is key to prevention.

Strategies That Helped Me:

• Identify Triggers: Lack of sleep is a major one for me, especially during travel. Good sleep hygiene helps protect against mood shifts.
  

• Listen to Feedback: Trusted friends or mentors can often spot changes—like pressured speech or irritability—before I do. Taking their observations seriously is an act of self-care.
  

• Self-Monitoring Tools: Journaling and mood-tracking apps create a record of shifts over time. Radical honesty with yourself is essential here.
  

When I feel the euphoric pull of hypomania, I ask myself: Where will this lead? What happens after the high?
For me, the answer has often been manic psychosis, hospitalization, and months of recovery. That truth keeps me grounded.

Managing Hypomania Without Shame

Managing hypomania means staying consistent with whatever system supports your mental health:

• Medication adherence (if part of your plan)
  

• Crisis prevention planning for when episodes escalate
  

• Self-compassion over self-criticism, reframing hypomania as a signal rather than a failure
  

The goal isn’t to suppress joy, but to recognize when joy turns into dysregulation and to respond with care.

Final Thoughts: Knowing Your High Is Knowing Your Illness

Hypomania is both a gift and a warning. It signals that my brain is edging toward instability and that it’s time to return to the tools that help me heal—sleep, medication, therapy, and self-awareness.

I’ve had episodes last days, weeks, even months. I never know when they’ll arrive, but I always know when they’re here. Over time, I’ve learned that chasing the high isn’t worth sacrificing my long-term wellness.

My goal is not to avoid joy or excitement but to distinguish between authentic happiness and emotional instability. That wisdom only comes with self-awareness, compassion, and practice.

To my readers: Have you ever mistaken a mental health symptom for personal growth? What helps you tell the difference between rising and unraveling?

How Lived Experience Can Improve Bipolar Management

By Onika Dainty

Managing Bipolar disorder is never a one-size-fits-all approach. Psychologists and therapists may offer treatment plans and strategies, but there’s something irreplaceable about the knowledge that comes from lived experience. If you or someone close to you is managing Bipolar disorder, this is for you.

Living with Bipolar I disorder, I’ve come to understand that real-life experiences provide lessons that clinical knowledge sometimes misses. Over time, I’ve developed practical ways to navigate the highs and lows of my disorder. This article will share how lived experience can significantly enhance the management of Bipolar disorder.

If you're just beginning your journey, you might find my earlier piece, How to Start Managing Bipolar Disorder: A Comprehensive Guide, a helpful foundation for understanding a Bipolar disorder diagnosis..

The Importance of Lived Experience in Mental Health

Lived experience isn’t just about survival; it’s about thriving despite the challenges. My personal journey with Bipolar has taught me that while professional interventions are necessary, they aren’t the whole picture. Lived experience adds a layer of nuance to what I’ve learned from psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors.

For instance, while I was told that self-care is essential for managing mood swings, my lived experience showed me just how critical it is. When I go without sleep for a few days, or even miss a few showers, it can push me from a stable mood into a hypomanic or depressive episode. This real-world understanding has fine-tuned my approach to managing my disorder in ways that theories or general advice simply can’t.Theories and general advice can give you guidance but application gives you the experience to learn from and grow in your illness.

Lessons Learned from Living with Bipolar Disorder

1. Recognizing Your Triggers

In theory, recognizing triggers sounds simple, but lived experience teaches you what to look for—those subtle signs that aren’t in any textbook. For me, it’s not just about big stressors but also smaller, personal indicators that things are going off track.

One of the biggest red flags for me is my personal hygiene. When I skip a shower or stop brushing my teeth, it’s usually a sign that I’m heading into a depressive episode. There was a time when I didn’t shower for weeks—not even a quick rinse or a “whore’s bath”—and almost went a year without brushing my teeth, leading to six cavities. Those moments, as painful as they were, taught me to notice when my personal care routine starts slipping. It’s my body's way of telling me something is wrong, and that I need to take action.

2. Adjusting Routines and Priorities

When you live with Bipolar disorder, routines can be your anchor to stability. I used to think I could manage by pushing through difficult days, but my lived experience has shown me that simplifying my day when needed is one of the most effective ways to manage Bipolar disorder.

Sometimes, the only things I can manage are sleep, eating, and one self-care activity, and I’ve learned that’s okay. There are times when those three things are all I have the energy for, and I’ve come to embrace that as part of my Bipolar management routine. Simplifying your day isn’t about giving up—it’s about protecting your mental health when life becomes overwhelming.

3. The Power of Self-Awareness

Learning to catch myself in the early stages of a manic or depressive episode has been key in my journey. Through my lived experience, I’ve trained myself to recognize the early signs and, more importantly, act on them.

One of the most important things I’ve learned is to take mental health days. When I notice myself slipping into a bad space, I take the time I need to re-group, whether that means resting at home, avoiding stress, or spending time doing something that brings me peace. These days help me recalibrate before things spiral further.

How to Use Lived Experience to Improve Bipolar Management

Combining psychological advice with lived experience leads to more personalized care. Psychologists provide valuable guidance, but lived experience sharpens that advice with real-life nuance and wisdom.

1. Tracking Triggers and Learning from the Past

The value of lived experience shines when you look back at previous episodes and identify patterns. Tracking things like mood shifts, life events, and even diet has helped me figure out my personal triggers and find better ways to manage them. What works for me may not work for everyone, but the insights gained from living with Bipolar have empowered me to create a personalized management plan that fits my life.

2. Building a Support Network

Your support system matters more than you think. Family, friends, or even online communities of people who share similar experiences can provide an additional layer of understanding and accountability. Peer support groups have been incredibly helpful for me—they remind me that I’m not alone, and there are people who really understand what I’m going through.

3. Self-Care Strategies That Actually Work

Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity when managing Bipolar disorder. Through lived experience, I’ve tailored my self-care routine to what truly works for me. Whether it’s indulging in a hobby,daily meditation and prayer, or just allowing myself a guilt-free day to do nothing, I’ve come to understand that personalized self-care is key to maintaining stability.

If you’re struggling to find a routine that works for you, consider simplifying things. Sleep, eat, and exercise—sometimes that’s all you need.

Sharing Your Lived Experience to Help Others

1. The Power of Peer Support

There’s something incredibly powerful about connecting with others who’ve been there. Sharing your lived experience not only helps you process your own journey but can also provide hope and validation to others. Peer support groups have given me a sense of community and safety, and they’ve been vital in my healing process.

2. Reducing Stigma Around Bipolar Disorder

Opening up about your lived experience can also help break down the stigma surrounding Bipolar disorder. By sharing our stories, we help others better understand the complexities of living with this condition. The more we talk about it, the more we normalize conversations around mental health.

If you’d like to read more about how to get started on managing Bipolar disorder, check out my post on How to Start Managing Bipolar Disorder: A Comprehensive Guide for a step-by-step breakdown.

Final Thoughts

Living with Bipolar disorder is a marathon, not a sprint. But the insights gained from lived experience are invaluable. From recognizing your triggers to developing personalized self-care routines, lived experience can greatly improve how you manage Bipolar disorder. And remember, sharing your story can be just as healing for you as it is for those who hear it.

At the end of the day, your lived experience is a source of strength, and it might just be the key to helping someone else better manage their mental health journey.