Posted by Caedmon on April 7, 2006, at 17:08:04
In reply to Re: Anxiety vs. Mania, posted by SLS on April 6, 2006, at 8:11:06
> It isn't insomnia per se that is an indicator of mania. It is that there is a reduced need for sleep. People with mania and hypomania can average 3-4 hours of sleep per night and still feel energetic.
You beat me to it Scott. Average hours of sleep, and perceived need for sleep, are my personal litmus test for mania/hypomania. Dysphoria *can* look much like anxiety, and vice versa. There is a spectrum element to this. I generally can only tell the difference when I look at sleep. (That, and impulsivity.)
When I've been hypomanic I was sleeping 4 hours or less (sometimes 2, sometimes zero!) for several days in a row, no stimulants involved. And I wasn't tired or sleepy. Mind you, I get dysphoric, I felt absolutely terrible and had intense mood swings, but I didn't feel drowsy at all.
So Anon, it doesn't sound quite like hypomania to me. And even if it's hypo-hypomania, Ativan is a good choice (for anxiety, it's a great choice).
- C
poster:Caedmon
thread:629340
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060403/msgs/630235.html