Mania was once an everyday term that most people before the 21st century loved to be identified as. It represents something much different than the supposed “fun word” now. Being called a maniac now describes your disturbing mental state, which could create room for depression and irritable behaviors. Mania is a significant sign of bipolar disorder, a mental condition that nearly 4.4% of American adults experience at some point, according to the National Institute of Mental Health Statistics.
Mania describes a mental state of elevation and excitement that lasts for a period. This period is followed by depression, affecting your mood and general well-being. Mania and depression often go hand-in-hand, a combination that can interfere with your life. Manic episodes are used interchangeably with mania, but the former is more explicit in describing the period in which the condition occurred. This article explains everything you need to know about mania and manic episodes.
What is a Manic Episode?
A manic episode is a period where one experiences mania symptoms. It starts when the person exhibits mania-like symptoms to when the individual no longer shows signs. A typical manic episode is characterized by extreme energy, usually over-the-top. The person might talk unusually fast, perform several activities, and engage in reckless behaviors.
For example, the individual might decide to jump from the top of a building to prove a point about their super abilities or invincibility, spend money lavishly, or make untrue claims. They usually do things without realizing the consequences or impact on themselves and others. Manic episodes typically last a week but can reach months in extreme cases. They may feel like nothing is wrong, but they have mania or manic episodes in reality.
Mania symptoms are easy to notice because they are severe and usually over the top. The symptoms could ensue due to excitement for trying something new, such as opening a food restaurant even though they’ve never cooked. Sometimes, these behaviors may require hospitalization to minimize symptoms. As mentioned, having a manic episode increases the risk of bipolar I disorder and postpartum psychosis. Some people develop mania symptoms in childhood, but based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it usually begins around 18 years. Episodes differ from person to person; one episode could be milder than others. This is called hypomania.
Symptoms of Mania
Now that we’ve answered what is a manic episode, it’s crucial to know mania signs. The following can indicate when a person has a manic episode:
- Extreme energy and elevated mood: The person has unusual self-confidence. They may feel like taking on a project without prior experience, like writing a novel. This on-the-spot thinking is harmful.
- Insomnia: After barely three hours of sleep, the individual already feels they have slept enough. The person could go a day without laying on the bed and still feel energetic.
- Talking abnormally fast: Rapid and loud speech is a sign of mania. They speak non-stop without letting others communicate. Sometimes, their words are meaningless. They use puns and combine words based on their rhyming.
- Racing thoughts: The individual thinks about ten different things at once. It’s like watching two to three movies simultaneously. Racing thoughts are usually accompanied by fast speech. At a point, they may become difficult to follow.
- Poor concentration levels: They get distracted because they think about several things at once instead of focusing on what’s relevant. For instance, they may be drawn to a bird rather than the conversation they’re having.
- Engaging in too many activities simultaneously: It is common among all mania patients. They take part in many activities that they can’t finish. They might work on projects for several hours without rest because of the extra energy. Sometimes, they might do things at odd hours, like calling an acquaintance.
- Reckless behaviors: High-risk behaviors such as overspending, drunk driving, engaging in unprotected sexual activities, and drunk driving are common. Most times, they think these are fun things to do.
Satori Health offers high-quality mental health treatment in the San Fernando Valley. Contact us today to learn more about our LA mental health treatment center.
What to do When Someone is having a Manic Episode
When Someone has a manic episode, they can do harmful things they will later regret. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize their safety above everything. First, try to calm them down and avoid triggering conversations. If possible, take them to a calmer environment to help them relax. If the situation becomes more complicated, consider contacting a mental health expert on their behalf.
Mania can be treated with medications like aripiprazole and olanzapine. Antidepressants and mood stabilizers like lithium usually accompany these medications to combat triggers. The patient will notice improvements after about three months.
Psychotherapy is another effective treatment method. It involves working with a mental therapist to identify factors responsible for manic episodes. Talk therapy includes cognitive-behavioral therapy. Combining medications and psychotherapy is often the most effective treatment plan for mania.
Satori Health Treats Manic Episodes
Managing mania can be difficult and exhausting. The best way to cope with this condition is to contact a mental health expert, who will help you identify your triggers and create coping strategies. Satori Health has qualified and compassionate staff that will set up an action plan you can use in emergencies. We also diagnose and treat bipolar disorders. For more information on mania and what is a manic episode, contact us today.