(The Good Feeling)

EUPHORIC MANIA

Now, if life were always like this, what a wonderful world it would be! The early stages of mania! This is when I feel "alive!" WOW!! If I could just stay in this early stage!! My symptoms are: The total clarity of thought, boundless energy and enthusiasm, the feeling that Life Is Good. The feelings of euphoria are so wonderful, especially after coming out of a bad depression cycle. Typical behaviors during this phase (hypomania) include: taking on large (or Many) projects: starting a web site that will be a classic for bipolar's: sleeping very little: talking fast, loudly, and non-stop; changing topics of conversation erratically. If only this was where it ended. For a fortunate few, this is the extent of a manic attack. For myself, I'm not one of the lucky ones.

Mood

Hey, I'm absolutely delightful! I am cute, perky, adorable, sexy! I am intelligent, creative, and funny! I am ambitious, energetic, and free! What a woman! I'm the woman!

Social

During this stage, I seek out people and social activities. Love to go places, do all kinds of things! Want to be the center of attention!

Self-Image

I'm actually a very attractive and sexy woman! Definitely above average, and I look young for my age. Know I can turn a mans head, I'm a little overweight but that doesn't really matter because I carry it well! Even my eighteen year-old daughter is proud of her momma!

Concentration

Overall, my concentration during this period is excellent. My mind is clear as a bell, sharp and on track. I don't even have to think. It's like a computer has taken over my brain. The only problem is that my brain sometimes run faster than I can consciously process the information. This can lead to confusion and is dangerous to me as this is the phase that can get suicidal and or have seizures.

Energy

During this euphoric stage which, in my case, is a precursor to the dysphonic stage, my energy levels are high. I don't generally need much sleep, and feel so good anyways that I wouldn't want to waste the feeling by sleeping! This is my get everything done time! All night house cleaning, watching tv, working on our web sites, and talking for hours on the phone to my sister! Fixing Leon a large breakfast (like eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, grits, homemade hash browns, homemade biscuits, and gravy) before he wakes up and giving it to him in bed. HEY that's why he's overweight!!

Sexuality

Looking good baby! I'm a foxy little thing! While euphoric, I am the ultimate flirt. I feel sexy, and since I'm not my usually shy, reserved self, the whole world knows that I'm adorable and sensuous. This is the time for candlelight, soft music, skimpy, sexy things, and playful lovemaking.

Goals

One the first tip-offs that I was becoming manic this time around was that I've started cleaning my house, making grand plans for redecorating it (even though I have no reasonable reason to be doing this at this time), and taking on a variety of projects online and in my real life. I'm also updating this site, so I'm obviously manic. When I'm depressed, it's hard to get motivated to do anything. Now, it's hard to keep from doing things!

Food

I'm not doing a lot of stress eating or forgetting to eat, like I might do during the other phases. My main thing with food now is trying all kinds of new recipes. My friends and family are eating very well during this time. This is the time my son Geoff loves to see, he gets all his favorite meals, which some take hours to prepare.

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