Recognizing the symptoms of mania is not simply academic. Symptoms of a manic episode can be a medical emergency, just as symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain, or bleeding are.
When looking to identify possible a possible manic episode, it's important to consider the person's typical behavior as an important element of mania is that it represents a change from you or your loved one's usual behavior. Here are some of the common behaviors associated with a manic episode—behaviors that you may likely easily observe, so you can recognize the need for help.
If your friend or loved one describes auditory or visual hallucinations seeing or hearing something that is not there or shows paranoid or other delusional behavior believing something that isn't real contact their psychiatrist immediately. These may be serious symptoms of mania. Do you or a loved one stay awake until 4 a. A decreased need for sleep is common during the emergence of mania symptoms.
During a manic episode, you may be restlessly searching for ways to work off extra energy. Talking loudly and quickly is a common symptom at the beginning of a manic or hypomanic episode. It's important to note that in order to be categorized as rapid speech, it should represent a deviation from the person's usual speech. Some people talk faster than others, but if someone who usually carefully chooses their words and speaks slowly begins to talk rapidly, be aware. Be aware as well if someone starts making " clang " associations for example, gets distracted by the rhyming of words such as microphones, xylophones, and ice cream cones.
Clang associations may at first sound like poetry, but with bipolar disorder, they are out of context and out of character for the person with manic symptoms. Hypersexuality is a common manic or hypomanic symptom and may include uncharacteristic or risky sexual behavior such as seeking sex workers, pornographic websites, online interactions seeking liaisons, and more. Someone experiencing a manic episode may engage in more risky behaviors, particularly with money like overspending, spending sprees, and gambling.
Notice if your friend or family member complains that their thoughts are racing uncontrollably. Outwardly, a person with bipolar disorder may appear to be talking fluidly and pleasantly, while on the inside having repetitive, unquieted thoughts. Don't be afraid to ask what they mean if they talk about their thoughts racing. For someone entering the manic phase of bipolar disorder, the flight of ideas may be hard to follow. If you are finding it hard to make logical sense of the progression of a discussion, take notice.
Flight of ideas might sound something like this: "I wonder what the weather will be like tomorrow. What is the purpose of life? Oh, I forgot to feed the cat. The important thing is to notice a change in your loved one's presentation of their ideas. Be on the alert if your friend or loved one starts having delusions of grandeur, for example, making statements like, "Justin Bieber is sending me love letters," or "We have to move to Yemen this weekend, I've been named president there.
Grandiosity is defined as an exaggerated sense of importance which may be in power, knowledge, or identity, and which often has religious overtones "I was sent to be a shepherd for my flock". It's important to note that delusions of grandeur are not present in hypomania, but grandiose thinking like "I'm going to quit my job and write a novel" is a possible hypomanic symptom.
Again, context is important. If it's a budding writer making this comment, it may be very normal. But the same words spoken by someone who does not enjoy writing and has never talked about writing a novel before is suspect. Watch out for unreasonable irritability or hostility. Do not try to handle the situation on your own.
In some cases, a manic episode can result in feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness or thoughts about death or suicide. Increased religious zeal or involvement can be another manic symptom. During a manic or hypomanic episode, a person is more likely to wear brightly colored or flamboyant clothing.
But clothing can be a subtle clue if bright choices coincide with other manic or hypomanic symptoms. A change in dress, such as a preference for more revealing clothing, may also reflect other symptoms like hypersexuality. Sometimes people may notice symptoms of mania in a child. Unfortunately, with children, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder is relatively rare as the behaviors may be thought of as a behavioral disorder alone.
If you are concerned about a child in your life, talk to your pediatrician. If the child happens to be a relative or a friend's child, this conversation needs to be gentle and thoughtful. You may wish to talk to a mental health professional first for ideas on how to approach the topic. In order for a manic episode to be diagnosed in bipolar disorder , a person must have a sustained and abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood for at least one week, and at least three of the following symptoms.
Manic episodes are common in people with type 1 bipolar disorder but they can also be caused by other factors and health conditions, including:. Certain foods and dietary choices may help people better manage their symptoms of mania and depression.
Learn more here. There are five categories of bipolar disorder. Bipolar I and II occur most frequently, while other types are less common. Learn more about the…. What to know about mania. What is it? Symptoms Diagnosis Causes Mania vs. What is mania? Difference between hypomania and mania. Living with mania. Mental Health Schizophrenia Drugs.
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People with mania may become delusional. They may be easily irritated or distracted, exhibit risky behavior, and go on spending sprees. People with mania can have aggressive behavior. Drug or alcohol abuse is another symptom of mania. A milder form of mania is called hypomania. Hypomania is associated with the preceding symptoms, but to a lesser degree. Episodes of hypomania also last a shorter amount of time than manic episodes.
A physician or psychiatrist can evaluate a patient for mania by asking questions and discussing symptoms. Direct observations can indicate that a patient is having a manic episode. The episode must occur for a week, or less than a week if the patient is hospitalized. In addition to a disturbed mood, patients must experience at least three of the following symptoms:.
In some instances, hallucinations or delusions are part of manic episodes. For example, a person may believe that he or she is famous or has superpowers. Hospitalization can help a patient from injuring himself or herself. Medications are typically the first line of mania treatment. Medications should be used only as prescribed by a medical professional. Psychotherapy sessions can help a patient identify mania triggers. They can also help patients manage stress.
Family or group therapy may also help. An estimated 90 percent of patients who experience one manic episode will experience another Kaplan, et al. If mania is the result of bipolar disorder or other psychological conditions, patients must practice lifelong management to prevent mania episodes.
Prescription medications can help prevent manic episodes. Patients may also benefit from psychotherapy or group therapy. Therapy can help patients recognize the onset of a manic episode so they can seek help. Manic episodes can be scary and difficult to deal with.
Learn about these mental health symptoms and ways to address them. Dysphoric mania is another name for bipolar disorder with mixed features.
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