Symptoms of Mania in Bipolar Disorder

Mania and hypomania are phases of bipolar disorder characterized by elevated "highs" in mood and behavior that are in stark contrast to the depressive "lows" of the emotional cycle. Mania is a facet of type I bipolar disorder in which the mood state is abnormally heightened and accompanied by hyperactivity and a reduced need for sleep.

By contrast, hypomania (often described as "mania-light") is a type II bipolar disorder that does not have the range nor severity of symptoms that classic mania has.

If left untreated, bipolar mania can spin out of control and affect your ability to function in your daily life. Recognizing the symptoms is the first step toward seeking the appropriate treatment and care.

Symptoms of Mania in Bipolar Disorder

The appearance of one or two symptoms of mania doesn't necessarily mean that you have bipolar disorder. There may be other explanations for your sudden change in mood, including an emotional trauma, a brain injury, a drug reaction, or an undiagnosed anxiety disorder.

Broadly speaking, bipolar mania can be characterized by some or all of the following features:

• Changes in thought patterns
• Development of psychosis
• Impaired judgment
• Mood changes
• Speech disruptions
• Sudden changes in energy and activity

You wouldn't necessarily have all of these features to be diagnosed as manic or hypomanic. Instead, your doctor would review your symptoms and see if they meet the criteria outlined in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association.

To better understand the nature of these symptoms, you would need to explore the root behaviors that characterize bipolar mania.

Changes in Thought Patterns

People who regularly interact with an individual can often easily spot these changes in thought patterns. They may manifest as a sudden burst of creative insight or appear fractured and nonsensical.

Examples include:

• An increased focus on religion or religious activity
• Disorientation or disjointed thinking
• Enhanced creativity or inventiveness (often perceived as a "breakthrough" or an epiphany)
• Flight of ideas (a rapid succession of thoughts that shoot from one idea to the next)
• Racing thoughts (a rapid stream of thought, often repetitive)

Development of Psychosis

Psychosis is a severe manifestation of bipolar disorder which can affect people in a manic or depressive mood state. Psychosis is defined as a break from reality which typically requires medical treatment and hospitalization. It is not a feature one would expect to see in a hypomanic phase.

Symptoms may include:

• Delusions (believing things that are not real)
• Hallucinations (hearing, seeing, smelling, touching, or feeling things that are not real)
• Paranoia (fearing things that are not real)

The symptoms of psychosis tend to match the mood state. If it occurs during a manic phase, you may believe you have special powers and engage in reckless behaviors. If bipolar psychosis occurs during a depressive episode, you may believe that someone is out to harm you.

Impaired Judgment

Impaired judgment can often be missed by casual observers who may dismiss the behavior as either a momentary lapse or a sudden burst of generosity, passion, daring, or goodwill. The behavior may sometimes be risky, hurtful, or even dangerous.

Examples include:

• An apparent lack of insight into the consequences of an action
• Extreme impulsiveness (including gambling and risk-taking)
• Inappropriate humor and brash behavior
• Hypersexuality and sexually provocative behaviors
• Reckless and extravagant spending (including the lavishing of gifts on friends, casual acquaintances, and even strangers)

Mood Changes

Mood changes are characterized by a sudden burst of activity, often described as being as being outsized or larger than life. These changes would be long-lasting rather than transient and be uncharacteristic of your natural mood state.

Symptoms may include:

• An expansive mood
• Extreme excitability
• Grandiosity and imperiousness
• Sudden shifts to extreme irritability, hostility, or even anger

Speech Disruptions

Speech disruptions are probably the easiest way to recognize a manic episode. A person may be described as having a "motor mouth" and be difficult or even impossible to interrupt.

Speech disruptions may include:

• Clang associations (a serious condition in which words that sound similar are grouped together even if they don’t make any sense)
• Incoherent speech (often described as rambling and persistent)
• Rapid, pressured speech (as if you cannot get enough words in)

Sudden Changes in Energy

It is one thing to have a sudden rush of energy; it is another when the energy is relentless, prolonged, and overwhelming. As with mood changes, the sudden upshot of energy would not be considered normal and can switch off as quickly as it was switched on.

Symptoms may include:

• A decreased need for sleep with little apparent fatigue
• A sudden increase in goal-oriented activities (such as a project that needs to be done to the exclusion of other activities)
• Persistent and often purposeless movement
• Restlessness and an inability to remain still

How Is Mania In Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?

According to the DSM, bipolar mania can be diagnosed if you experience at least three of the following symptoms for no less than a week:

• An increased interest in goal-oriented activities
• An increased pursuit of risky or dangerous activities
• Being easily distracted
• Flight of ideas
• High self-esteem
• Increased rate of speech
• Reduced need for sleep
• Psychomotor agitation (such as pacing or hand-wringing)

If you are experiencing manic symptoms that are impairing your ability to function, find a mental health professional in your area able to diagnose your symptoms and offer treatment, if needed.

Treating Mania in Bipolar Disorder

Mania in bipolar disorder is treated with medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modifications. There is no cure for the condition, but it can be managed with the right treatment

Medications

Medications that are often prescribed to treat bipolar mania include antipsychotics (which are often used to treat acute episodes) and mood stabilizers (which can help prevent future episodes). 

Therapy

Psychotherapy can help people learn to recognize triggers that contribute to episodes of mania. Types of therapy that can be helpful include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and family therapy.

Lifestyle Changes

Caring for your health can also be an important part of managing episodes of mania in bipolar disorder. This can include getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet.

Adhering to your healthcare provider's treatment recommendations is essential. 

Takeaway

Mania is a hallmark symptom of bipolar I disorder and involve excessively heightened mood, increased energy, and decreased need for sleep. Signs of mania include poor judgment, changes in thoughts, psychosis, mood changes, increased energy/activity, and speech disruptions. If you or someone you know is experiencing such sympotms, it is important to talk to a doctor to get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.