Stories about hypomania: There's "happy" and then there's hypomania...

This is a true story.

If there was going to be a good reason as to why I haven’t had any children of my own, this would be it.

As my niece grew up I got to enjoy various opportunities at ‘parenting’. With my sister being in and out of hospital with health problems, I often had to fill in.

Being a childless aunty isn’t quite the same thing as being a mum though, and I have come to terms with the fact that I am the ‘fun’ aunt. Being the 'fun' aunt isn’t all fun and games though, especially when you live with a mental health disorder.

This cartoon depicts the time when, in one of my many hypomanic states, I decided it would be fun to show my niece how I used to wrestle with my brother when he was a kid.

There’s about 10 years difference between my brother and I, and we used to do this when he was about 12. There's more than 25 years difference between my niece and I.

Alas, because I was having a whale of a time in my elevated state, I didn’t notice that I was smothering her.

Both my sister and niece were very generous about the whole incident, but I felt TERRIBLE.

My next-of-kin duties have since been removed, and in the case of the worst thing possible happening to my sister (God forbid), they have both decided it’s probably for the best I continue to be the 'fun' aunt, while someone a bit more boring does the main bit.

Enjoyed this? Scroll down to subscribe to my free weekly newsletter and I'll keep you updated on new cartoons, blog posts and news.