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.
Possible causes of hypomania or mania include: high levels of stress. changes in sleep patterns or lack of sleep. using recreational drugs or alcohol.
The terms "mania" and "manic episode" describe a state of mind characterized by high energy, excitement, and euphoria over a sustained period of time. It's an extreme change in mood and cognition that can interfere with school, work, or home life. Mania is also the main feature of bipolar disorder.
There are three stages of mania: hypomania, acute mania and delirious mania. Classifications of mania are mixed states, hypomania and associated disorders.
How long does a manic episode last? 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.
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)
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.
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.
Evidence from different functional neuroimaging studies suggest that there is a reduced activity of right ventromedial and ventrolateral prefrontal cortices and an increased activity of left amygdala, left anterior cingulate cortex, and left basal ganglia in mania.
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.
Manic symptoms can include increased energy, excitement, impulsive behaviour, and agitation. Depressive symptoms can include lack of energy, feeling worthless, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts. You can also have psychotic symptoms.
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.
Detection of mania, or at least of brief hypomania, is required for diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This diagnosis is often missed or not remembered as an illness. People close to the patient may recall episodes, however, and patients who do not remember episodes of affective disturbance may recall their consequences.
Having mania does not always mean that the person feels happy. While mania can cause a feeling of euphoria, it can also cause extreme irritability. Symptoms of mania can include: uncontrollable excitement.
Mania and hypomania are symptoms that can occur with bipolar disorder. They can also occur in people who don't have bipolar disorder.
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.
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.
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.
dilated pupils. “sparkling” eyes, or eyes that appear more liquid than usual. eyes that change color or become black. widened or narrowed gaze, depending on the type of mania (Some say dysphoric mania, or a mood episode with mixed features of mania and depression, leads to a narrowed or squinting gaze.)
The main sign of bipolar disorder is extreme mood swings that go from emotional highs to emotional lows. Manic episodes cause people to seem very energetic, euphoric, or irritable. During depressive episodes, your loved one may seem sad, upset, or tired all the time.
Let them know you're worried. If you're worried that your friend or family member is becoming unwell, try to address this with them gently. Don't criticise or accuse, and stay calm and non-confrontational. Explain that you've noticed changes in their behaviour and why it concerns you, and ask if they've noticed it too.