Both a manic and a hypomanic episode include three or more of these symptoms: Abnormally upbeat, jumpy or wired. Increased activity, energy or agitation. Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence (euphoria)
Being more talkative than usual. Having racing thoughts or speech that is difficult to keep up with or interrupt. Being distractible and unable to concentrate on one task for long before moving onto another. Being agitated or hyperactive in purposeful-type activity.
The defining characteristics of mania include increased talkativeness, rapid speech, a decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, distractibility, increase in goal-directed activity, and psychomotor agitation.
Symptoms of a manic episode
Having inflated self-esteem, thinking you're invincible. Being more talkative than usual. Talking so much and so fast that others can't interrupt. Having racing thoughts — having lots of thoughts on lots of topics at the same time (called a “flight of ideas”).
When you are having a manic episode, you might make snap decisions, often without considering the consequences. For many people, impulsive behaviors involve spending money unwisely, such as going on a spending spree, gambling your rent money, or investing in a business venture without doing your due diligence.
One of the hallmark signs of mania is impaired judgment. This causes you to participate in extremely risky or dangerous behaviors. You do things without even considering the consequences of your actions. Gambling and hypersexuality are some of the risky behaviors linked to manic episodes.
You may experience symptoms of depression, plus mania or hypomania at the same time. For example, you may feel very energised and impulsive, while feeling upset or tearful. Or you may feel very agitated or irritable. You may also experience highs and lows very quickly after the other, within the same day or hour.
However, do not argue or debate with someone during a manic episode. Try to avoid intense conversation. Don't take any comments personally. During manic episodes, your loved one may say or do things that are out of character, including focusing on negative aspects of others.
The bipolar states of mania and depression have a clear impact on cognitive function. The clinical criteria for mania include distractibility, inappropriate speech and behavior, increased goal-directed behavior, and a tendency to make decisions associated with potential painful consequences.
For example, delusions are common in manic episodes. According to 2021 research , manic episodes could continue from 4-13 months if not treated. If you're receiving treatment for bipolar disorder, mania can last anywhere from 4 days to 3 months. Delusions can also appear during depressive episodes.
A common bipolar disorder symptom is mania, an extremely elevated mood state with increased alertness and energy. There are three stages of mania: hypomania, acute mania and delirious mania. Classifications of mania are mixed states, hypomania and associated disorders.
Bipolar symptoms during a manic phase may include:
getting much less sleep or no sleep. poor appetite and weight loss. racing thoughts, racing speech, talking over people. highly irritable, impatient or aggressive.
A manic episode — aka mania — is a period of feeling full of energy. You might talk faster than usual, notice your thoughts racing, take on lots of activities, and feel like you don't need as much sleep. A manic episode is a period of extremely energetic, happy, or irritable moods that last for at least a week.
Cyclothymia, sometimes called cyclothymic disorder, is known as a mild form of bipolar disorder. (Cyclothymia is also sometimes referred to as bipolar III, but this isn't its official diagnostic name.)
Some physical illnesses and neurological conditions can cause hypomania and mania. This includes lupus, encephalitis, dementia, brain injury, brain tumours and stroke.
In these psychoses manic and depressive features coexist in the same attack. Their interaction generates complex pictures: elation, grandiosity and boastfulness are manifest simultaneously or give way within minutes to depression, bouts of weeping, delusions of guilt or explosive anger.
Mania in particular tends to trigger aggressive emotions and anger. The racing thoughts and high energy levels you experience can leave you feeling angry, irritable, and frustrated. Those angry emotions, in turn, can cause aggressive and inappropriate behaviors.
There's little or no self-awareness during mania, so you may not realize the consequences of your actions or how you have affected others until you come out of the episode. When you start to notice these symptoms, seek professional help before you slide fully into a manic episode.
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.