Extreme Energy To Irritable Mood: What To Know About Manic Episodes

Manic episodes are like whirlwinds, sweeping people into states of extreme energy, heightened moods, or intense irritability. Though these episodes can seem invigorating or empowering at first, they carry considerable risks and implications. Manic episodes are most often associated with bipolar I disorder, a serious mental health condition that affects mood, behavior, and energy. Knowing the subtleties of mania is crucial for people, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

Bipolar disorder is a life-long commitment to treatment, and determining the right cocktail of therapies often takes a good deal of time. While this is certainly challenging, constant care and support allow patients to have fulfilling lives.

Manic episodes are the main feature of bipolar I disorder; however, people with bipolar II disorder experience less intense mania known as hypomania with depressive episodes. Bipolar disorder is a lifetime condition and thus has to be under continuous treatment.

What is a Manic Episode?

A manic episode, which is also termed mania, is characterized by an abnormally elevated or irritable mood for at least one week, lasting longer than ordinary and accompanied by higher levels of energy. Other symptoms may include impulsive behaviors, increased activity, and decreased need for sleep during the episode. Mania is characterized by the experience of feeling elated or invincible; however, the mood can change to irritability, racing thoughts, and poor judgments.

These are considered symptoms of bipolar I disorder, which is a long-term mental illness characterized by periodic extreme mood shifts. The DSM-5 dictates that the manifestations of mania should cause an interference with everyday life and potentially require hospitalization.

Symptoms of Mania

Mania varies differently from person to person; however, a few common signs are seen below:

• People may have unthinking overconfidence or megalomanic delusions, such as believing they have special abilities or connections to famous people.
• Even though they may sleep only a few hours or not at all, people in a manic state often feel energized and alert.
• Speech may become rapid, loud, or even incoherent, mirroring the speed of their thoughts.
• Clanging—using words because of their sound rather than their meaning—is also possible.
• Mania tends to result in inability to focus on a single task or conversation with an ability to switch rapidly to irrelevant stimuli.
• Individuals engage in several activities or work on multiple projects simultaneously, usually far beyond what can be completed. Hypersexuality and obsessive social contact are common features.

In some cases, actions are performed that are potentially catastrophic in nature, including impulsive spending, dangerous driving, or substance use.

Also Read: Is Elon Musk Struggling With His Mental Health?

What Usually Follows A Manic Episodes

While manic episodes might seem exciting or productive, the consequences are usually severe. The impulsivity and poor judgment of mania can lead to such things as:

- Financial instability due to reckless spending.

- Strained or damaged relationships.

- Job loss or professional setbacks.

- Physical harm from risky behaviors.

This cycle of a manic episode followed by a crash often results in depression, which in turn creates another cycle that continues to disrupt a person's life.

Common Treatment Approaches

Management of bipolar disorder usually involves a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes:

Medications: Mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics, and antidepressants are commonly prescribed.

Psychotherapy: There are different types of therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), which help the patient understand and manage their symptoms.

Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, meditation, and mood tracking can support overall mental health.

Managing a Manic Episode

Proactive management of mania involves the recognition of early warning signs and the implementation of coping strategies:

Keeping a journal or using a mood-tracking app can help find patterns and triggers. Involvement of closely knitted family or friends can help keep track of one's symptoms and provide a much-needed external perspective as well as timely intervention. Alcohol and drugs will, without fail, fuel the symptoms and confound treatment. Early communication can circumvent the problem from escalating.

Manic episodes are complex and multifaceted, affecting not only the individual but also their relationships and quality of life. If you or someone you know is experiencing manic symptoms, reaching out to a healthcare professional is an essential first step.

Bipolar Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. 2020

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). 2013

First episode mania: We should have intervened earlier. Lancet. 2019