When Life Feels Like It’s Racing: Understanding Hypomania, Mania, and Substance-Induced Mood Changes
- Griffin Oakley
- Oct 7
- 5 min read
Sometimes, your mind just won’t slow down. Sleep barely touches you. Thoughts spin faster than you can catch them. Your energy feels electric — maybe even exciting. You might feel unstoppable, creative, or alive in a way that surprises even you.
If this feels familiar, you could be experiencing hypomania or mania. Sometimes, drugs, alcohol, or medications can cause similar feelings. This isn’t about labels or judgment — it’s about noticing what’s happening, keeping yourself safe, and knowing how to get support when life feels out of control.
Take a breath. You’re not broken. You’re just human, and your brain sometimes has a lot of gas in the tank.
Hypomania: Life Turned Up
Hypomania is like life’s volume getting turned up just a little. You might feel:
Full of energy, even with little sleep
Thoughts racing or jumping from idea to idea
More confident, social, or creative than usual
Talkative, restless, or impulsive
It can feel good — even productive. People around you may say, “You seem amazing today!” And yeah, you might be doing more than usual. But underneath the excitement, there’s risk: overspending, overcommitting, or saying things you later regret. Hypomania usually doesn’t completely derail life, but if ignored, it can tip into mania or create bigger problems.
Think of it like a sparkler: bright, fun, warm — but hold it too close for too long, and you might get burned.
Mania: When the World Spins Too Fast
Mania is hypomania taken all the way up. You might notice:
Going days without sleep
Thoughts and speech racing out of control
Impulsive decisions that feel urgent
Extreme happiness or irritability
Risk-taking that could harm yourself or others
Mania can feel like flying, but without a seatbelt. Jobs, relationships, money, and safety can all be affected. Sometimes, getting help in a hospital is the safest option.
When Substances Are Part of the Picture
Sometimes, drugs, alcohol, or certain medications cause hypomanic- or manic-like episodes. This is called substance-induced mood changes.
Signs to notice:
Episodes happen during or right after substance use
Symptoms fade when the substance leaves the body
Changes that last after stopping substances may point to underlying bipolar disorder
Treatment depends on the cause. Stopping or reducing substances is often the first step. Therapy, support, or medication may also help keep mood steady.
A Day in the Life: Hypomania vs. Mania
Hypomania
Imagine waking up with more energy than usual. You’ve slept five hours, but it barely matters — you feel alive. You start cleaning, texting friends, jotting down projects, maybe even cooking something ambitious. You feel productive, unstoppable, like you could solve the world’s problems before breakfast.
Loved ones notice. “You seem really happy today!” they say. You smile and keep going. Maybe you spend a little extra online or say yes to too many plans. Nothing is broken, just… turned up.
Tips for hypomania:
Check in with yourself: Are you eating, drinking water, resting?
Focus on one or two projects at a time.
Keep a trusted friend or family member in the loop.
Mania
Now imagine a day where your thoughts feel like a storm. You haven’t slept for three nights, but it doesn’t matter — you feel unstoppable. You start multiple big projects, make impulsive purchases, call friends late at night, maybe even argue without realizing why.
At some point, things may feel out of control — or your loved ones may step in. “Slow down,” they might say. You feel frustrated or don’t understand their concern. Decisions that feel urgent now could have serious consequences for money, relationships, or safety.
Tips for mania:
Reach out to someone you trust and let them help you stay grounded.
Eat, hydrate, and rest — even short naps help.
Avoid big financial or legal decisions. Pause before acting.
If you feel unsafe or out of control, seek professional help immediately.
How to Support Yourself
If you notice these patterns, here’s how to care for yourself:
Track your patterns: Sleep, energy, and mood. Journals or apps help you notice trends.
Prioritize rest: Even short naps or consistent bedtimes help you feel steadier.
Limit stimulants: Caffeine, alcohol, or drugs can fuel racing energy.
Build a support network: Friends, family, or therapists can help you stay grounded.
Ask for professional help: A mental health professional can guide you and help you plan for safety and balance.
How Loved Ones Can Help
Watching someone in hypomania, mania, or a substance-induced episode can feel scary or confusing. Here’s how to show up:
Stay calm and present: Your steady presence matters.
Notice changes: Sleeplessness, racing thoughts, or impulsive actions are early signs.
Set gentle boundaries: Saying “no” to risky plans is okay and protects both of you.
Encourage help: Offer to connect them to therapists or support groups.
Be ready: Keep crisis numbers or local clinics handy.
After the Episode
When things settle, reflection is key.
For the person experiencing it:
Notice what triggered or worsened symptoms
Track what helped you feel grounded
Plan for next time: sleep routines, awareness of substances, support contacts
For loved ones:
Practice patience and compassion — it’s the illness, not the person
Talk about what worked and what didn’t, without blame
Take care of yourself too
The Takeaway
Whether it’s hypomania, mania, or substance-induced mood changes, it can feel intense, confusing, and sometimes scary. You’re not broken. You’re not alone. Awareness, support, and compassion for yourself or someone you love are the first steps toward safety and balance.
Even when life feels like it’s racing, there are ways to slow down, stay safe, and get help. And sometimes, just knowing someone truly sees you is the first step toward calm.
For a deeper dive into bipolar disorder itself, check out Living with Bipolar Disorder: Finding Balance, Support, and Hope.
Getting Support
If you’re noticing these patterns in yourself, or you’re a loved one trying to help someone through hypomania, mania, or substance-induced mood changes, you don’t have to face it alone. I provide therapy that’s grounded, compassionate, and tailored to your needs — helping you understand your experiences, create safety plans, and find balance.
For clients who need medication support, I also work closely with a naturopath to ensure a holistic, informed approach that fits your needs and preferences.
Together, we can work on noticing patterns, staying grounded, and building a life where even the racing days feel manageable. You are seen. You are supported. You are not alone.
🌐 www.curiousmindcounseling.com 📞 971-365-3642 ✉️ griffin@curiousmindcounseling.com
For more info:
For hypomania/mania definitions and criteria:
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), 5th edition. 2013.
For substance-induced mood disorders:
Niciu MJ, Ionescu DF, Mathews DC, et al. “Substance-Induced Mood Disorders.” Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2018;41(2): 239–252.
American Psychiatric Association. DSM-5.
For general bipolar disorder info:
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Bipolar Disorder
