Is Your Hypomania a Symptom of Trauma or Bipolar Disorder?

Although you know that bipolar disorder manifests itself in different ways in different people, you might still feel there’s something a little different about how your bipolar disorder presents itself than most others with the diagnosis.

You might feel there’s something a little off from the common ways the disorder presents itself in you than others. Maybe you’ve been told it’s because you’re a “high-functioning” bipolar, but still…something tells you there may be another explanation than that.

If you have a history of trauma or been diagnosed with PTSD or Complex PTSD, research is showing that some people with trauma histories may have symptoms that resemble bipolar disorder without having actually bipolar disorder.

What’s interesting is that Complex PTSD, a type of PTSD from prolonged or repetitive exposures to traumatic events such as prolonged childhood trauma and abuse, can also express the same symptoms of borderline personality disorder or ADHD. This means unhealed prolonged trauma can look like other mental health diagnosis.

For Complex PTSD and bipolar disorder, there are differentiations between the two.

Typically, one of the key ways that it’s been differentiated is whether you have hypomania. Meaning if you have hypomania, then you have definitely have bipolar disorder. You can still have Complex PTSD with Bipolar Disorder, but you definitely have bipolar disorder.

However, more recent research is showing that trauma can cause symptoms of hypomania, without the presence of bipolar disorder. It can be one way mood dysregulation presents itself for some people with unhealed Complex PTSD.

Hypomania is a mood state of elevated, expansive, or irritable mood. It’s less severe than full-blown mania, a common symptom of Bipolar I.

These are the common symptoms of hypomania:

1. Elevated or Expansive Mood

2. Increased Energy and Activity

3. Reduced Need for Sleep

4. Racing Thoughts and Rapid Speech

5. Increased Self-Confidence and Grandiosity

6. Impulsivity and Risky Behavior

7. Irritability or Agitation

8. Increased Socialization and Talkativeness

Although these are common symptoms of hypomania in bipolar disorder, these 8 symptoms can also be symptoms of dysregulation in unhealed trauma, according to some research.

Here are two ways studies show that hypomania symptoms express Complex PTSD:

1. Hypomania and Stress Response: stressful life events, such as trauma, can trigger hypomanic episodes.

2. Neurobiological Mechanisms: Research suggests that trauma-related stress can affect the neurobiological systems involved in mood regulation. Chronic stress affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the release of stress hormones, which can dysregulate mood and increase the risk of hypomanic symptoms.

According to the research, these are the distinctions between Complex PTSD and bipolar disorder.

Trigger: Trauma-induced hypomania typically arises as a direct response to a traumatic event or stressor, whereas hypomania in bipolar disorder occurs as part of the inherent mood episodes characteristic of the disorder.

Also, in Complex PTSD, certain triggers related to past traumatic experiences can elicit intense emotional reactions, including anger, fear, or sadness, along with the symptoms of hypomania. Bipolar Disorder rarely has specific trauma triggers but follows a more cyclical pattern of mood episodes.

• Mood Instability: Both conditions can involve mood instability, but the patterns may differ. In Complex PTSD, emotional dysregulation is often triggered by reminders of traumatic events, while in bipolar disorder, mood episodes occur independently of specific triggers.

• Duration and Frequency: Bipolar disorder typically involves distinct periods of mood episodes lasting for days to weeks. In Complex PTSD, emotional dysregulation may be more persistent and reactive, occurring in response to stressors but not exhibiting the clear episodic pattern seen in bipolar disorder. Trauma-induced hypomania may be relatively acute and linked specifically to the triggering event, subsiding once the stressor is resolved or managed.

• Cognitive and Perceptual Disturbances: Complex PTSD may be associated with a range of cognitive and perceptual disturbances, such as intrusive memories, flashbacks, dissociation, and hypervigilance. While these symptoms can affect functioning, they are not primary features of bipolar disorder.

• Treatment Implications: Treatment approaches may differ depending on the underlying cause. Trauma-induced hypomania may benefit from trauma-focused therapies, stress management techniques, and addressing the root causes of the trauma.

• Course and Response to Treatment: Bipolar Disorder has a chronic and relapsing course, requiring long-term management with mood stabilizers and other specific medications. Complex PTSD, although also chronic, responds to trauma-focused therapies and interventions aimed at addressing the underlying trauma and associated symptoms.

• Long-Term Course: Hypomania in bipolar disorder follows a chronic and relapsing course, with periods of remission and recurrence. Trauma-induced hypomania, if not associated with an underlying bipolar disorder, may resolve once the trauma is processed and treated effectively.

If you get a 2^nd opinion psyche-evaluation from a psychiatrist who’s skilled and experienced in treating both Complex PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, it may be determined that you do not have bipolar disorder. They could tell you that you just have Complex PTSD, which has expressed itself with bipolar disorder for you.

The key here is that if you have Complex PTSD and not bipolar disorder, you may even live well, medication and symptom free. Your suffering may end with proper treatment and healing of your trauma.

Although medications can ease symptoms of trauma, it does not heal trauma. Trauma can be healed. Bipolar disorder, as of current research, can not, and may require, a lifelong medication regime.

Your life can change with a re-evaluation from a reputable, skilled, experienced psychiatrist that can help you heal and live a better quality of life.

Here are some general approaches to healing Complex PTSD:

• Get Professional Support: Consider working with a qualified therapist or counselor experienced in trauma therapy. Please make sure they are a specialist in trauma. I’ve found that some therapist state in their bio that they’re trauma informed, but not knowledgeable about Complex PTSD, which can be harmful to you if you have Complex PTSD. You need a therapist skilled and experienced in your specific needs.

• Psychotherapy: Different therapeutic approaches can be effective, such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or somatic experiencing. These therapies aim to address trauma-related symptoms, process emotions, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. I’ve found EMDR, reparenting and somatic experiencing to be most effective for me in my healing journey from Complex PTSD.

• Establish Safety: Create a sense of safety in your environment, which is crucial to the recovery of Complex PTSD. Both physically and emotionally. This involves setting boundaries, surrounding yourself with supportive and trustworthy individuals, and engaging in self-care activities that promote relaxation and well-being. This is crucial for emotional regulation.

• Self-Care and Self-Compassion: It’s important that you prioritize self-care activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. If you are not working, make self-care your job. This can include exercise, healthy eating, mindfulness or meditation practices, journaling, engaging in hobbies, and connecting with nature. Transcendental Meditation has been awesome for me. It’s best to get a certified TM teacher to teach you the methods, which can be expensive. However, if you are a veteran or have a PTSD diagnosis, you may qualify for a scholarship or payment plan.

• Also, working with a therapist learning self-compassion using a workbook together has worked wonders to lessen chronic shame. The book we used is: The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive: https://a.co/d/dqcLfQO

• Supportive Relationships: Seek support from trusted friends, family members, or support groups who can provide empathy, understanding, and validation. Connecting with others who have experienced similar traumas can be particularly helpful in reducing feelings of isolation and gaining a sense of belonging.

• Expressive Techniques: Explore creative outlets to express and process emotions related to the trauma. This can include art therapy, writing, music, dance, or other forms of creative expression. Engaging in these activities can facilitate emotional release and provide a means of self-expression. I have found the book The Artist Way by Julia Cameron more effective than much of the therapy I’ve received over the years. It really helped me with my creativities that have been suppressed by trauma: https://a.co/d/iFtAcQt

• Mind-Body Techniques: Incorporate mind-body techniques such as deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, or tai chi. These practices can help regulate the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation. I’ve found that reading about somatic therapy has helped me better understand how these and other grounding techniques help and work. The book I am currently reading is this one: Somatic Therapy for Healing Trauma: Effective Tools to Strengthen the Mind-Body Connection: https://a.co/d/1qE7eXC. I got it free through Kindle Unlimited.

To determine whether you have Complex PTSD or bipolar disorder (or both) it’s crucial to consult with a qualified mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.

They can conduct a comprehensive assessment, considering your history, symptom presentation, and other relevant factors to differentiate between CPTSD and Bipolar Disorder. This can be key to your living a life of suffering or wellness. Being on the wrong treatment plan for the wrong diagnosis can cause you lifelong suffering and potential further damage to your mental health and nervous system. May we all be our most healed self, receiving the best care for us.