Although symptoms may come and go, bipolar disorder usually requires lifelong treatment and does not go away on its own.
Early signs (called “prodromal symptoms”) that you're getting ready to have a manic episode can last weeks to months. If you're not already receiving treatment, episodes of bipolar-related mania can last between three and six months. With effective treatment, a manic episode usually improves within about three months.
According to a 2021 study, manic episodes last approximately 3.5 months on average. 2 For people who are not receiving treatment, a manic episode can last between three and six months. With effective treatment, the episode may end in under three months.
Can someone with bipolar disorder be treated without medication? Although it is possible that during the natural course of the illness individual patients may get well without any medication, the challenge is that it is impossible to identify or determine beforehand who those fortunate patients are.
"Bipolar disorder can worsen if left undiagnosed and untreated. Episodes may become more frequent or more severe over time without treatment. Also, delays in getting the correct diagnosis and treatment can contribute to personal, social and work-related problems.
The results showed that manic episodes led to decreased volume in certain areas of the brain. Bipolar disorder has been linked to various structural brain changes, including most notably progressive grey matter loss in the brain's frontal regions.
Medications are typically needed to stop manic episodes. These can Include mood stabilizers like lithium, depakote, and lamotrigine, or antipsychotics like risperidone, aripiprazole and olanzapine. Antidepressants are not used in treating acute mania, as they typically worsen the condition.
Untreated, an episode of mania can last anywhere from a few days to several months. Most commonly, symptoms continue for a few weeks to a few months. Depression may follow shortly after, or not appear for weeks or months.
High levels of stress. Changes in sleep patterns or lack of sleep. Using recreational drugs or alcohol. Seasonal changes – for example, some people are more likely to experience hypomania and mania in spring.
A person with bipolar disorder may be unaware they're in the manic phase. After the episode is over, they may be shocked at their behaviour. But at the time, they may believe other people are being negative or unhelpful. Some people with bipolar disorder have more frequent and severe episodes than others.
Thus, when the term “manic episode” is used it may refer to any one of the three stages of mania: hypomania, acute mania, or delirious mania. Manic episodes are often preceded by a prodrome, lasting from a few days to a few months, of mild and often transitory and indistinct manic symptoms.
In the manic phase of bipolar disorder, it's common to experience feelings of heightened energy, creativity, and euphoria. If you're experiencing a manic episode, you may talk a mile a minute, sleep very little, and be hyperactive. You may also feel like you're all-powerful, invincible, or destined for greatness.
Mania has a significant impact on your ability to do your usual day-to-day activities. It can disrupt or stop these completely. Severe mania is very serious, and often needs to be treated in hospital. Episodes of mania typically last for a week or longer, unless they are cut short by treatment.
Getting manic symptoms under control usually curbs a decreased need for sleep, and consistently getting enough sleep can help reduce the risk of future manic episodes. Similarly, breaking free of oversleeping can be an important step toward remission from bipolar-related depression.
If you are aware of the warning signs of mania, it allows you to take some action. For instance, you can engage in techniques that help you relax, avoid substances, and see your therapist. It helps to keep track of your mood by writing symptoms in a journal or on a calendar.
Signs of A Bipolar Meltdown
The extreme mood swings that occur in bipolar disorder are accompanied by changes in sleep patterns, eating habits, emotions, and behaviors. People with bipolar disorder can experience periods of mania and depression, and the timing of these episodes can be difficult to predict.
Psychotic features usually appear during manic rather than depressive episodes. Mood-congruent delusions (e.g., grandiosity) and mood-incongruent delusions (e.g., paranoia) are the most common psychotic features. Psychosis often presents as a form of thought disorder (e.g., tangentiality).
A manic episode can last for weeks or even months, depending on whether you are in a manic phase of a mental illness like bipolar I disorder or you are experiencing mania induced by a drug such as meth or cocaine.