Can a person with hypomania commit suicide?

Question

Person had irritability, spoke fast, paced, lost sleep 4 nights,got in trouble at work

Answer 1

It's possible, but it's more likely to happen during a depressed phase.

Answer 2

Anyone can complete suicide. A person experiencing a hypomanic episode may be more likely to attempt suicide because they become more impulsive. Full blown manic episodes are a big risk factor for suicide. This does not mean that anyone who has these symptoms will attempt or complete suicide, just that there is a greater risk of them doing so. More important should be the person's overall attitude, thoughts and talking about suicide, etc.

From the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

Warning signs of suicide include:
Observable signs of serious depression:
Unrelenting low mood
Pessimism
Hopelessness
Desperation
Anxiety, psychic pain and inner tension
Withdrawal
Sleep problems
Increased alcohol and/or other drug use
Recent impulsiveness and taking unnecessary risks
Threatening suicide or expressing a strong wish to die
Making a plan:
Giving away prized possessions
Sudden or impulsive purchase of a firearm
Obtaining other means of killing oneself such as poisons or medications
Unexpected rage or anger

The emotional crises that usually precede suicide are often recognizable and treatable. Although most depressed people are not suicidal, most suicidal people are depressed. Serious depression can be manifested in obvious sadness, but often it is rather expressed as a loss of pleasure or withdrawal from activities that had been enjoyable. One can help prevent suicide through early recognition and treatment of depression and other psychiatric illnesses.

Answer 3

Actually they're more likely to if they are depressed or in a mixed state episode (both depressed and manic at the same time). Though your friend could indulge in reckless behaviour that could endanger them or another person from unpredictable and spontaneous behaviour associated with
the hypo mania.

Their decision making ability is impaired and they are likely not concentrating for any long period of time, plus you can get quite irritable and aggressive with hypo mania.

Either way you need to get this person to a doc or ER asap because they need help because to me it seems if they are on meds the they aren't working or not taking them because the high is way too seductive.

Get this person help because they could cause financial or social trouble such as the incident at work that could affect them for years to come.

Answer 4

You can only feel for these people ,lost in the or own minds with a feeling of doom and racing thoughts that they cannot control,be compassionate,you could never understand what gos on in their minds ,fighting against the uncontrol of their minds,the torment they go thew every second...here's a link that might help you understand,and yes they can commit suicide but it's not their fault,they feel like it's the only way out,they need love and support,i don't believe anyone but the people that have experienced this can fully understand http://bipolar.about.com/od/treatment/a/abesrabbit3.htm, ....I wish all the support this person could possibly get,this person needs a true friend.........Mia Hugs..I'd like to add with the sleep deprivation this person needs to be seen in the er for an evaluation,please get him or her in as soon as possible because this person is in the danger zone

Answer 5

Yes they can. Usually inadvertently. Hypomania associated with bipolar sometimes has manifestations as religous or mystical themes that sometimes results in austere penitential practices such as flagellations, or cuttings or the desire for "mystical union"

The patients describe it as a pain that "felt good" and even orgasmic and drove them to higher levels of manic behavior and "mystical" experience.

Unfortunately in the mania many bled out or severed a major vessel--the carotid and femoral arteries are most popular.

Answer 6

Cat S is right. So is Manjun (sp?). The rest are answers by people who don't know bipolar.

Hypomania is characterized by euphoria - feeling wonderful - despite what can be totally irratic and destructive behavior. As it moves closer to mania, it becomes more irrational. People who feel great do not tend to commit suicide.

If your friend is moving into a mixed state (hypo/manic and depressed at the same), suicide is a huge issue. It's about the worse state to be... depressed with the energy to do something radical about it. What you describe, however, sounds more like a hypo.

Regardless of the state, talk to him/her about getting in to see his/her psychiatrist. Meds aren't working or aren't being taken. Sadly, if the person is truly wonderful hypo, s/he may not listen. Euphoria is highly seductive, and it's difficult to recognize just how bad your judgment is.

~bipolar, been there, done that, regret it, too

Answer 7

They'd be unlikely to whilst hypomanic, but they'll feel horrible once they come back down, partly because of the depression and partly because of all the stuff they have to deal with.

Just make sure you're there for them and keep a close eye.

Answer 8

Yes. I'm assuming you mean a person suffering from hypormania(bipolar II). Yes in fact bipolar II has a higher rate of suicides than bipolar I. So those that think it's a lesser form of bipolar are not exactly correct as it costs more people their lifes!

'Persons suffering from Bipolar II have higher rates of suicide compared to any other persons suffering from any other mental health conditions....' Source - wikipedia.

Answer 9

With a disorder like that it would drive a person crazy. It sounds like some thing that interferes with there life and that there not comfortable with so i think so and if you know this person then you need to talk to him or her and help them.

Answer 10

Of course they can.

People with bipolar and related mood disorders have some of the highest suicide rates.