Posted by hyperfocus on October 31, 2011, at 23:38:27
In reply to Re: Chasing hypomania: is it realistic? » hyperfocus, posted by SLS on October 27, 2011, at 13:57:10
> What is the difference between a healthy euphoria and an unhealthy euphoria? Is there such a thing as a happy or elated euthymia (normothymia)? Must elation be the product of mania?
I guess I was thinking the euphoria of cocaine or heroin or ecstasy that could be unhealthy and not sustainable and not tied to reality. But as sigi says elation could just be the product of a non-dysfunctional consciousness. My baseline state has been pretty low for such a long time that I see not feeling bad all the time as some sort of abnormality.>
> I am not sure that what you felt was euphoria. I think anyone would be elated to have their depression vanish and a kaleidoscopic world of experiential wealth open up anew. Was your reaction to this long-forgotten state of normal consciousness abnormal?
Euphoria is probably too strong a term. Euthymia is better. But yes I was feeling good about feeling good. The idea that I might finally escape from this 2-decades old prison was quite exhilarating.> I have experienced euthymia, hypomania, and severe mania. Of these, euthymia felt the best. The euphoria of hypomania did not produce the crystal-clear thinking and sense of reward that euthymia brings me. Is there anything in particular that would lead you to believe that you experienced hypomania?
It was just the perceived rapidity of getting there - there wasn't a gradual measurable improvement from baseline - and also the elusiveness of it. But it was probably just euthymia - psych meds tend not to follow a schedule. I keep hoping that one day the meds will unlock whatever needs to happen in my brain to sustain such a improvement.>
> Whatever it was that you experienced, I hope you experience it again. It sounded healthy to me.
Thanks Scott, I hope you do as well. Regressing from these euthymic states is crushing but it at least gives us hope. The fact that we know it's there is comforting on its own I guess.
C-PTSD: social phobia, major depression, dissociation.
Currently: 450mg amitriptyline single dose at night.
Also: Allegra, 1000mg Vitamin C.
Slowly improving.
poster:hyperfocus
thread:1000969
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20111027/msgs/1001399.html