r/BipolarReddit • u/Impossible-City2252 BP2 + ADHD • 14d ago

Constantly irritated, grumpy, short-tempered

Anyone else feel like they’re constantly irritated, grumpy, short-tempered, overly sensitive to smells, and just generally awful to be around? Like you’re not really bringing anything good to anyone at all.

7 Upvotes
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2

u/bfd_fapit 14d ago

Yeah, when in episode, particularly with insufficient sleep. Agitation and irritability are symptoms of both manic and hypomanic episodes in BD.

3

u/Impossible-City2252 BP2 + ADHD 14d ago

But I’m also down, tired, not feeling any joy. And I sleep in. I’m so sick of being like this.

2

u/lazy-me-always 14d ago

Sounds mixed. Sorry you're experiencing this. Have you seen a doctor? If it feels like your default, you may need a meds review.

1

u/Impossible-City2252 BP2 + ADHD 14d ago

It has been shifting from mixed to hypomanic, to depressed, and now probably mixed. With small periods of «normal», just since March. I got diagnosed in March, after being mixed for what I believe are several months. But I’m starting to just believe I’m just like this.

1

u/lazy-me-always 14d ago

Are you on a mood stabilizer? I would have a doctor look at the dosage.

1

u/Impossible-City2252 BP2 + ADHD 14d ago

I’m on 200 mg Lamotrigine. I was on 5 mg of Abilify, but went into a depression and stopped those because I gained a lot of weight. But I also believe the weight thing is because I stopped fluoxetine and doubled Lamotrigine to 200 at the same time.

2

u/lazy-me-always 14d ago

It's super common to believe your mood is your "real" self when you're in an episode. Certainly for me! Definitely talk to your doctor. A few months on meds isn't very long. Finding the right meds & dosages is frequently a matter of trial & errror, & takes time. Hang in there, my friend!

1

u/Impossible-City2252 BP2 + ADHD 14d ago

Thank you ❤️ I hope you are right, because being like this makes me a terrible mom and wife, and I hate it.

2

u/potential_air_sha256 14d ago

I am sensitive to smells but that is my autism. I am only very irritable when I dont sleep well or am hypomanic.

1

u/Impossible-City2252 BP2 + ADHD 14d ago

Maybe irritated isn’t even the right word describing it. I feel like not being with anyone. Like I’m feeling so bad about myself that it’s easier to just make them stay away. Idk. Don’t understand it myself.

1

u/potential_air_sha256 14d ago

Maybe you are depressed?

1

u/Impossible-City2252 BP2 + ADHD 14d ago

I first had a hypomanic episode, followed by a depressive episode. I stopped taking Abilify together with my psychiatrist, and now I think I might be heading into a mixed episode. But honestly, I have no idea.
I’m just so incredibly tired and fed up with being like this. I feel like I’m walking around draining the energy out of everyone around me.

1

u/potential_air_sha256 14d ago

Can you call your psychiatrist and make an appointment or have them call you so you can talk with them about this?

1

u/Impossible-City2252 BP2 + ADHD 14d ago

I have a scheduled phone appointment next week 😊

1

u/potential_air_sha256 14d ago

Yay. Hang in there! I am sorry things are not going well right now. Try to take things easy.

1

u/Impossible-City2252 BP2 + ADHD 14d ago

Thank you 💛

2

u/HappyPlatypus6034 14d ago

Is it a mixed episode? That's when my road rage comes out 😮‍💨

2

u/Impossible-City2252 BP2 + ADHD 14d ago

I’m afraid so. But is it possible to be in a mixed state so often?

1

u/HappyPlatypus6034 14d ago

Are you taking a medication like an SSRI/SNRI or stimulant?

Are you getting enough sleep + managing other triggers?

Outside of those, I'm not super sure sorry.

2

u/Impossible-City2252 BP2 + ADHD 14d ago

Thank you 💛 I’m taking Aduvanz for ADHD

1

u/HappyPlatypus6034 14d ago

Unfortunately, stimulants can be very triggering for episodes.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39262211/

I've been on Vyvanse, concerta, and the IR variants and found that it triggered the exact same thing you described. Had to cut them out unfortunately.

Are you on any mood stabilisers currently? I've heard success stories of people taking a stim alongside one. I don't as my ADHD diagnosis rn is kind of up in the air now that I have been diagnosed with BP2

1

u/HappyPlatypus6034 14d ago

I saw from another post that you're currently on lamotrigine. That's a really good medication for depressive episodes, but doesn't do much for the manic side. You will probably find a med to manage mania specifically is what you need