Manic depression, now known as Bipolar Disorder, is a mental health condition causing extreme mood swings between emotional highs (mania/hypomania) and lows (depression), affecting energy, activity, judgment, and daily functioning. People experience periods of euphoria or irritability and high energy (mania) alongside periods of profound sadness, hopelessness, and low energy (depression), often with normal moods (euthymia) in between. It's a lifelong condition, but manageable with proper treatment.
Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. These include emotional highs, also known as mania or hypomania, and lows, also known as depression. Hypomania is less extreme than mania.
Manic episodes are generally not happy or pleasant times, but some people do experience elevated mood or an exaggerated sense of well-being as part of mania.
Although depression may occur only once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include: Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness. Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters.
For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause. Different causes can often combine to trigger depression.
While there isn't one universal "4 stages" model, mania in bipolar disorder is often described as progressing through levels of severity: Hypomania (milder, increased energy), Acute Mania (severe impairment, risky behavior), and Delirious Mania (most severe, psychosis, disorientation), sometimes with an initial Prodromal or "early" stage, reflecting increasing intensity and potential for psychosis or hospitalization.
Individuals in the lowest decile of manic features had a mean full-scale IQ (FSIQ) which was almost 10 points lower than those in the highest decile of manic features: mean FSIQ 100.71 (95% CI 98.74–102.6) v. 110.14 (95% CI 107.79–112.50), P>0.001.
Five key signs of bipolar disorder involve extreme mood shifts, including manic symptoms like inflated energy, reduced need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsivity (spending, risky behavior), and irritability, alongside depressive symptoms such as profound sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, significant sleep/appetite changes, and suicidal thoughts, all lasting for extended periods and impacting daily life.
Bipolar Disorder: Helping Someone During a Manic Episode
The use of drugs and alcohol has been shown to worsen symptoms associated with mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, and may even lead to the onset of manic episodes. For people diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it is essential to prioritize the avoidance of these substances.
Symptoms of a manic episode
Having an abnormally high level of activity or energy. Feeling extremely happy or excited — even euphoric. Not sleeping or only getting a few hours of sleep but still feeling rested. Having inflated self-esteem, thinking you're invincible.
Several things can trigger manic or depressive episodes, such as sleep changes, stress, medications and substance use.
A bipolar meltdown could look different depending on the symptoms you're currently experiencing. For example, you might: Go on a “binge,” or “bender,” of continuous reckless activities, like substance use, unsafe sex, or spending money. Become verbally aggressive with someone, even someone you love.
Research has shown that individuals with the condition may experience reduced gray matter volume in certain brain regions compared to those without the condition. These structural changes may contribute to the cognitive deficits and emotional instability experienced by individuals with bipolar disorder.
The Takeaway. A poor diet can contribute to bipolar mood episodes, and certain food choices may help manage them. People with bipolar disorder should avoid or limit caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, and saturated fats.
Bipolar disorder is frequently inherited, with genetic factors accounting for approximately 80% of the cause of the condition. Bipolar disorder is the most likely psychiatric disorder to be passed down from family.
What causes hypomania and mania?
While the symptoms are different for every individual, bipolar disorder may get worse with age if left unmanaged. In most cases, effective treatment helps stabilize mood and prevent worsening symptoms. However, even with treatment, bipolar can get worse with age.
A manic episode is defined in the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual (DSM) as a "distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased activity or energy, lasting at least 1 week and present most of the day, nearly every day (or ...
Vitamin B-12 and other B vitamins play a role in making brain chemicals that affect mood and other brain functions. Low levels of B-12 and other B vitamins and folate may be linked to depression.
Considerable evidence links the “Big Five” personality traits (neuroticism, extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness) with depression.
Immediate hospitalization is essential for those who express suicidal ideation or have attempted self-harm. Severe Functional Impairment: Moreover, patients unable to care for themselves, including neglecting personal hygiene, nutrition, or medications, often require hospital-based treatment.