Hypomania - mad sex drive

[formyeyesonly]

I have bi-polar 2 and its generally well managed. I have odd hypomania episodes but I recognise them and usually don't act them. They are usually obsessions that last for a while eg deciding to have a baby, leaving my secure job and opening a bookshop, taking on loads of responsibility all at once. In the past I developed sexual obsessions with people, to the extent where I couldn't think of anything else and made a real fool of myself throwing myself at people. I was married for 11 years and this seemed to have been channelled into other things. However, recently I have felt this again. (I am now divorced)

I have been in a relationship for 2 years, we are fine, don't live together, see each other on weekends etc. I have always been attracted to this other guy. I laughed at myself, cos it was like a girlie crush. Anyway, I had a few drinks, saw him in company and decided to tell him how I felt. He responded, positively and we slept together later in the week. I have been completely obsessed with him, I cant concentrate, cant eat, I have been taking risks in terms of being found out. Risk taking is one of my indicators and I know its a hypomanic phase because it has exhausted me. The worse thing is he is married, I have no wish to split his marriage up at all, but im struggling to cope with this feeling.
Does anyone else have experience this? I also spend silly money I haven't got and agree to ridiculous requests! I know it will pass but dealing with the here and now is so difficult

This is way out of my ability to offer advice or support, I just wanted to say I felt the same about someone when I was in my early twenties, couldn't function, and did outlandish things just to be near the object of my desire so I know slightly how desperate you feel.

The fact that you recognise the damage you could do and are acting on that is very positive. I think the only thing I can say is focus on doing anything other than making plans to be near this man.

Thanks mayaswell. Im finding it so difficult to concentrate on anything. I cant sleep and im constantly obsessing. I was advised in the past to cut down on my AD meds if this happened but im terrified of becoming depressed.

If I were you I'd try reducing the meds. Is there anyone you can ask for help with sleeping tablets/other ideas?

Last time i had an episode the cpn team came daily for about a week and gave me diazepam. But i couldnt work and i really dont want to take time off as this is a fairly new job and i my attendance has been really good. Reducing my meds is frightening i dont think i could cope with a depressive episode im not sure the dr would give me any sleeping tablets. Im exhausted. The adrenaline used during a high is shattering.

I get the same OP I'm hypomanic at the minute and I can't sleep. Was trying to convince my friends to come on holiday with me at 3am the other night. I didn't understand why they were angry I woke them Saturday I met a guy in the chip shop and brought him home (daughter wasn't here!). I don't know what happened but I must have just right out asked him for sex!

Wildling thank goodness im not the only one. What do you do? Wait for it pass? Im struggling at work at the moment. Luckily things are quite light at the moment. I too have picked up strangers. I tend drink a lot as well which doesnt help

just want to throw this in to see what you thought. I always get this when there is a run of hot sunny weather.. I don't label it. I just realise that summer always brings this type of behaviour out. .it does to kids at school, students at uni and we train ourselves to do it on holiday. Picking up strangers has always been an exciting thing that happens occasionally to some people and people feel sexier in the sun.

Must confess to a problem with labelling any behaviour that impacts on the workplace making money as a disorder. I see that increasing and am troubled by it.

Could there be a 'normal' explanation? do we say that mass hypomania happens in summer??

I usually let it pass, but it's getting ridiculous. Not sure what to do though I'm bipolar type 2 aswell. Usually it's not so bad, but have been under quite a lot of stress this year. Maybe it's stress for you?

Wildling I think you are right, stress is a definite trigger and I try and avoid it if possible. But I cant always identify it. I too am hoping that it will pass. Try and keep safe until it does eh?

Notdead, im not sure what you are saying about labelling and money making? As for your idea that its the sun that brings out our sexy feelings, you couldn't be further from the truth. This is not normal feeling good, this is obsessional and all consuming. Believe me you would know what I meant if you had experienced it. fwiw my last serious episode was during December, not so much sun sea and sangria going on there! Your holidays are clearly different to mine!

We can do this!