Detection of mania, or at least of brief
When a person is in a full-blown manic and psychotic episode, memory is greatly affected. In fact, it is rare for someone who is is a deep episode to remember all that happened. This is why it's called a blackout. The average person in this situation remembers maybe 50% in my experience.
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.
So no, not everyone who has bipolar disorder knows they have it. There are lots of reasons why someone with bipolar disorder might not realize it—or why they might deny having it even if they do.
Remembering psychotic experiences
Andrew X said, “I struggle to remember things from my psychotic experiences… like my brain has blocked them out deliberately – which I'm cool with”. However, psychotic experiences could also feel so much like reality that some people had vivid memories of them.
People who have psychotic episodes are often totally unaware their behaviour is in any way strange or that their delusions or hallucinations are not real. They may recognise delusional or bizarre behaviour in others, but lack the self-awareness to recognise it in themselves.
A manic episode is a period of abnormally elevated or irritable mood and high energy, accompanied by abnormal behavior that disrupts life. Most people with bipolar I disorder also suffer from episodes of depression. Often, there is a pattern of cycling between mania and depression.
Yes. Do people with bipolar disorder know what they're doing? Also yes. “Many people think that a person with bipolar disorder doesn't have any control over themselves or that they're unable to take care of themselves or function in society.
After a manic or hypomanic episode you might: Feel very unhappy or ashamed about how you behaved. Have made commitments or taken on responsibilities that now feel unmanageable. Have only a few clear memories of what happened during your episode, or none at all.
Possible causes of hypomania or mania include: high levels of stress. changes in sleep patterns or lack of sleep. using recreational drugs or alcohol.
Mania is an extreme feeling of well-being, energy and optimism—you feel on top of the world. These feelings, however, can be so intense that you can lose contact with reality.
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.
Bipolar episodes decrease brain size, and possibly intelligence. Grey matter in the brains of people with bipolar disorder is destroyed with each manic or depressive episode.
A bipolar depression crash is usually the emotional fallout of a hypomanic or manic episode. It can also occur when something triggers bipolar depression or as a result of chemical or hormonal changes in the brain.
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.
Bipolar Triggers and Warning Signs
Bipolar disorder features extreme shifts in mood that are unpredictable and often disruptive to daily functioning. Changes in sleep patterns, eating habits, emotions, and behaviors accompany the mood swings.
People with bipolar disorder get mean and nasty during agitated downswings or dysphoric manias because this is a symptom of bipolar disorder. It's not okay, and it doesn't mean that we get to go around yelling and abusing people.
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.
There are three stages of mania: hypomania, acute mania and delirious mania. Classifications of mania are mixed states, hypomania and associated disorders.
Signs of a Manic Episode
Feeling wired, jumpy, or buzzed. Irritability. Not needing sleep, or feeling energetic despite getting little to no sleep for days at a time. Loss of appetite, and having lots of energy despite eating little food.
Psychosis can be very serious, regardless of what is causing the symptoms. The best outcomes result from immediate treatment, and when not treated psychosis can lead to illness, injuries, legal and financial difficulties, and even death.
Typically, a psychotic break indicates the first onset of psychotic symptoms for a person or the sudden onset of psychotic symptoms after a period of remission. Symptoms may include delusional thoughts and beliefs, auditory and visual hallucinations, and paranoia.
not argue, confront or challenge someone about their beliefs or experiences. accept if they don't want to talk to you, but be available if they change their mind. treat the person with respect.
PTSD is well known to commonly co-occur with mood disorders, including bipolar disorder. Studies indicate that people with bipolar disorder are nearly 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD than the general population.