Here's an admittedly off the wall post.  I'm bipolar.  When I'm in my normal flat-to-low state, I only periodically participate in the hobby.  When I'm flying in the manic phase, I've dabbled as many as 3x in one week.  Anyone else experience anything like this?  Does depression play a role in your hobby life?

When she was manic, she had a voracious sexual appetite.  She didn't really enjoy it, I don't believe, but she wanted it anyway.  She would be insatiable, but unable to really get into it because she'd be so distracted or flighty (the right words for that sort of behavior don't really exist).  In fact, when she was in that phase, almost everything she did took on sexual overtones.  It would usually go from fun, to overtly sexy, to embarassing, to way over the top and someone's going to get arrested- all in a very short time.  While manic, she'd lose all sense of perspective as to acceptable social behavior and seemed to get-off on acting outrageous in public- no boundaries, no inhibitions.

Since she was what they call "rapid cycling," you never knew who you'd be going out with that night.  It was a trip, but not one I'd like to take again.  Of course, then there were the other times- the depressed periods when she'd be curled up in a fetal postion crying for a week, inconsolable, and unable to function.  Needless to say, she wasn't interested in sex, or anything else, during these periods.

In the end, I just had to save myself and leave, unable to either help her (she refused any sort of treatment) or tolerate her.  

So to answer your question, at least in my friend's case, there was a definite link between manic behavior and sexual appetite.      

-- Modified on 9/26/2003 1:59:31 AM

No disrespect meant to you, but I think you already know the answer to that question. Bipolar effects ALL areas of life to those who suffer from it. I would be very careful and take precautions against hobbying while in a manic phase.(I know its easier said then done) This having nothing to do with the financial aspect, but the psychological aspect of actions done that would normally not be done. The guilt, shame, selfloathing that manifestates after the fact I am sure is horrendous. Do you have tools in place to assist? Notes taped by your cell phone or computer(whatever means you use to contact providers)? A friend you can call and talk to when in a manic phase? I debated even responding but I guess it hits close to home. My wife was bipolar and her manic phases and the behaviors that went along wth them had grave consequences. Her suicide note made specific mention of her "hobby". Be careful and take the extra steps that I know are hard to take. Good luck[EOM]

It might make you hobby more or less depending on who you are.  Talk to your health care provider about it.  Changes in your behavior patterns are good indications that things are swinging and it's time to do what is necessary to flatten out...