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Happiness appears to go hand-in-hand with measurable achievements, but hypomania is not earned by working hard or keeping long-term commitments.

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If this deeply difficult and personal story can help just one person to read my story and think about me, then I believe I have succeeded.

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It’s a hypomanic episode, lasting three weeks to a month at a time, but I love it. It makes me feel like I am Superwoman. I envision myself as the next Secretary of State, accomplishing everything and nearly anything, without a worry in the world.

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In the morning I have great and impossible aspirations. The first rush of caffeine hits and I am teeming, an overflowing bouquet of ideas, flowers pushing up and out of vases. Today is the day.

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My social filter is disintegrated and I could snap into a rage at any time, my confidence is baseless and borders on narcissism, I may not be making up things to worry about but I’m also not worrying about things that are normal and necessary to be worried about.