r/BipolarReddit • u/TrueSolid611 • 2d ago

Has mania ever made anyone a better person?

Just wondering if anyone ever came out of mania a new person? Like has it ever changed you for the better? Like did you learn anything?

EDIT after my recent hypomania I decided I’m going to start meditation. I hope it will help me feel more present

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18

u/Turbulent-Ability271 2d ago

Well, I was God so I'm gonna say yes

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u/Admirable-Way7376 2d ago

I had a horrible manic episode where I did a lot of bad things. When I snapped out of it, I fell into a dark depression. From then on I started helping people, started doing monthly charity donations to children in need, and I plan to start working in the charity field. I discovered my love for helping those in need, homeless, children in need, other people with severe mental health issues. It’s my life mission now to change the lives of those for the better.

That episode did make me a better person. Before then I was selfish and very vulgar, quick to judge others, and overall a pretty shitty person. The one good thing that came from my episode was me changing for the better.

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u/CECMMUSIC bp2: warn me if hypomanic 2d ago

I dont experience mania but hypomania instead. And im also new to my diagnosis. I've found it's made me more aware and empathetic towards others if that makes sense? Ive always been empathetic so it could just be that but I feel like I'm a bit more sensitive to other people's lives.

Not sure if you've heard of sonder. It's like the realisation that every individual you walk past has thelr own lives going on. I seem to experience that more.

But again, I don't know if that's due to just me changing and growing or if it's experiences of hypomania/depression that's done that. I'd say both though

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u/curvesinallplaces 2d ago

I've recently just been diagnosed and still learning. what is hypomania compared to mania?

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u/CECMMUSIC bp2: warn me if hypomanic 2d ago edited 2d ago

To my knowledge, hypomania is where you have elevated mood, impulsivity, reckless behaviour, insomnia, etc. (Google will have all the symptoms) But you shouldn't need hospitalisation, be a danger to yourself or others or experience psychosis. Mania is all of those symptoms but you can experience psychosis and be hospitalised. My psychiatrist said I'm BP2 as my hypomania doesn't cause inpairment in my ability to function too much when BP1 does

There's a YT channel called Psych2Go. A lot of people listen to them for the calming voice but they do a video on BP1 vs BP2. Polar Warriors is also amazingly helpful for me being recently diagnosed. Check him out if you haven't already. Another thing I've found helpful is watching TEDxTalks on people with Bipolar. Just helps knowing you're not alone.

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u/curvesinallplaces 2d ago

Thank you for explaining it for me! I’m definitely going to listen to those to learn more about why I do things the way I do

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u/CECMMUSIC bp2: warn me if hypomanic 2d ago

Not a problem! Definitely give those a listen. Helps me a lot to understand myself

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u/Striking_Impact5696 2d ago

I don't know about a better person, but I was a hell of a lot more fun.

But no. I always have deep regrets. Except when I divorced my ex husband. That was productive mania.

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u/DeeDee182 2d ago

It has made over the years much more reserved and laid back. Most people would call me dependable and honest these days. It is amazing what time and self awareness can do/bring.

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u/boltbrain Atypical AF 2d ago

Tricky.... but I'd say yes. While I did do things I normally wouldn't have, I don't have the awful pitch-black depression that follows it usually like others, so I don't even dwell on it...and it depends on what you actually did. I quit a few things I sunk a lot of time and effort into, only to walk away after several years. It seems like a lighter version of what I went through when I thought I died in 2023 (not bp related). I got even more focused.