You can't "snap someone out of" a manic episode, but you can help manage it by reducing stimulation, staying calm and supportive, avoiding arguments, encouraging gentle activity, maintaining routines, and ensuring they eat/sleep, while knowing when to call a professional for serious safety concerns. Focus on compassionate, non-confrontational support, redirecting impulsivity, and creating a peaceful environment to de-escalate the situation.
Here are some ways you can help during a manic episode.
Mania is a disruptive condition involving erratic behavior and an unusually high level of physical and mental activity. During a severe manic episode, you might experience a break with reality, or psychosis. The leading symptoms of psychosis include delusional ideas, hallucinations and paranoia.
With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, it is possible to recover from psychosis. Some people who receive early treatment never have another psychotic episode. For other people, recovery means the ability to lead a fulfilling and productive life, even if psychotic symptoms sometimes return.
You can use a 48 hour rule where you wait at least 2 full days with 2 nights sleep before acting on risky decisions. Review your decision to avoid a tempting, but risky, behaviour.
Foods to Avoid for Bipolar Disorder Patients
The symptoms of mania include elevated mood (either euphoric or irritable), flight of ideas, pressure of speech, increased energy, decreased "need" and desire for sleep, and hyperactivity.
Manic and hypomanic episodes include three or more of these symptoms:
During manic or mixed episodes, people with bipolar disorder may experience intense anger or rage. This can lead to them saying hurtful things they don't mean.
Focus on the person, not the mania. Being helpful to your loved one doesn't mean confirming that their thoughts and experiences are real. Instead, try simple, supportive statements like, “I don't know what to make of what you're saying. It's distressing to hear this, but I'm glad you're telling me.
Being in a Relationship with Someone Who Is Bipolar
Those with bipolar disorder may also engage in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex or extramarital affairs while manic. During episodes of depression, your partner may avoid sexual contact altogether.
The primary signs that mania is ending include the return of normal sleep needs, decreased energy levels, slower speech and thinking, normalized appetite, and the ability to sit still or concentrate on single tasks.
“The best advice I can give to anyone who's loved one is going through mania is to watch their behavior, spend more time with them, try to let them get out all their hyped-up feelings and listen to them, don't make faces that they're crazy or anything.” – Karen R.
Hospitalization: This is considered an emergency option in bipolar disorder care. It becomes necessary when someone is experiencing a severe depressive or manic episode and they're an immediate threat to themselves or others.
Eat More: Clams
A number of reports have shown low levels of vitamin B12 in those with psychosis -- a set of mental disorders that schizophrenia is one of. Other research says a bit more B12 can ease symptoms. Clams are a big source of B12. It's found in liver, trout, and in some breads, too.
The impacts of untreated psychosis
First-episode psychosis (FEP) can result in a loss of up to 1% of total brain volume and up to 3% of cortical gray matter.
You should not dismiss, minimize, or argue with the person about their delusions or hallucinations. Similarly, do not act alarmed, horrified, or embarrassed by such delusions or hallucinations. You should not laugh at the person's symptoms of psychosis.