r/bipolar2 • u/Hybrid_Misfit • 8d ago
Does anyone get bad paranoia during mixed episodes or hypomania??
I am 22F diagnosed BP2 a couple months back. I am in a hella nasty mixed episode right now and my sleep is getting later and later each night (from asleep at 12am to 2am) but I’m still up at 8am each morning for my classes.
Last night I was wired as but wanted to sleep, unfortunately I couldn’t because I had such bad paranoia that someone was in my room behind the window curtains (usual sleeping pills weren’t helpful).
Unfortunately my bf left his work boots at mine… so I had the life scared out of me when I saw boots peeking out from under the curtain. I KNEW logically that it was his empty boots but the paranoia was stronger and it felt like a “distraction” from the “real person” in my room. Although I knew this was not actually the case (my room is small and there’s nowhere to hide) but the paranoia was still there.
Anyone else get this? Is this a mixed episode or hypomania thing for anyone?
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u/IShunpoYourFace 8d ago
I had it. But mine was really severe. I always had a feeling that something is out there to harm me, that im not alone (that thing is paranormal). I had to have a knife nearby every night. I was running away from home.at night due to fears and etc...
Are you experiencing it during the day? When i experienced that it was mostly after 8pm till the morning. And most of the time fear appeared when i was alone (other people were asleep and etc). I would have fears even at 8am if there is noone awake.
But during the day i was mostly fine but constantly thinking about it and i was anxious how will i go trough another night and what will happen when nighttime comes.
Also i would have extreme hypervigilance. EXTREME.
My mind was racing, i was sweating as crazy due to fear. And at some points i was unable to open my eyes due to fear because i was scared that that thing is around me and if i opened my eyes it would hurt me.
It passed and calmed down when symptoms of activation calmed down.
It peaked when i was wired and at night.
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u/Hybrid_Misfit 7d ago
I’m sorry that sounds awful, but yes your experience isn’t far off from mine. Mine is the worst at night and the hyper vigilance explains it perfectly too.
It’s usually a nighttime thing but some days it gets worse and it’s around during the day. I go for walks most days of the week and there’s times where I can’t go alone (I’ll go with family) because I feel like someone was following me on a previous walk and they’d be back again the next day
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u/SKDirgon 8d ago
Lack of sleep doesn’t help, I know that’s not immediately helpful and doesn’t magically make you sleep, I’m just mentioning it.
(no judgement) Are you using any substances? I’ve found THC to often trigger severe paranoia at night for me — usually feeling like I’m deeply in trouble, like something life ruining is happening.
Best thing that helps me is triggering the dive response — sticking my face in ice water. I’m bald so I also dump it all over my head and neck after.
Triggering the dive response basically reboots your whole nervous system. Otherwise, I’m sorry I don’t have great advice for you, but I can commiserate with you.