Posted by ed_uk on March 25, 2005, at 13:29:37
In reply to Re: What is going on? » Spriggy, posted by Maxime on March 25, 2005, at 13:11:54
Hello,
>Unfortunately, "hypomania" is quite a mis-naming. There are many patients whose "hypomanic" phases are an extreme and very negative experience. As noted above by Dr. Jamison, mania can be negative as often as it is positive. The "racing thoughts" can have a very negative focus, especially self-criticism. The high energy can be experienced as a severe agitation, to the point where people feel they must pace the floor for hours at a time. Sleep problems can show up as insomnia: an inability to sleep, rather than decreased need.
'Racing thoughts' seem to be useful as an indicator of bipolar disorder. Racing thoughts (LOTS of thoughts/many different ideas) need to be distinguished from OCD w/o compulsions (the same thought a million time a day) and from anxious ruminations. Also, the disorganisation of ADD (doing lots of things at once but not very well) may sometimes appear similar.
Ed.
PS. Sorry about the bad descriptions- I'm hungry, need to eat!
poster:ed_uk
thread:475253
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050322/msgs/475435.html