Mania is an abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood. In the elevated state, the mood is upbeat, euphoric, and happy. In an expansive state, the mood is intense, and emotions are shown with no inhibition. Although many people think that euphoria and expansive moods are the main characteristics of mania, many people in a manic episode experience irritability, anxiety or an uncomfortable sense of increased energy.
Mania is a very dangerous, difficult to spot and often very difficult to treat mood swing once it goes too far.
There are two types of mania in bipolar disorder: full blown mania and hypomania. Full blown mania is a requirement of a bipolar I diagnosis. Hypomania ( milder form of full blown mania with similar symptoms, but with much less intensity) is a milder form of mania that is a requirement for a bipolar II diagnosis. This is one of the main reasons it’s so important for you to know your exact diagnosis.
The number one sign of mania is sleeping a
LOT less and not being tired when you get up. For some, it’s not sleeping at all and still being able to function. This is a lot different than insomnia in that insomnia makes you tired the next day.
Mania, especially at the beginning can produce the most amazing, wonderful, exciting, loving and connected feelings in the world. On the other side, mania can be all agitation, anger, restlessness and energy so high a person can’t slow down even to sleep. The main problem with mania is that no matter what feelings are produced, mania causes severe judgment and very distorted thinking. This often involves risky sexual and financial behavior. Believe me, when a person comes down from a serious manic episode, it’s like waking up from a bad dream that really happened. Once the episode is over, the manic behavior is often completely impossible for the manic person or those around him or her to understand.
If untreated, mania can ruin careers, relationships, finances and health. It has to be managed daily. Even someone who has not been manic for years and is on meds can have a manic episode. I use my Mania Health Card to take care of my mania before it goes too far.
I’ll write about my last hypomanic episode on the next blog. This of course will cover the terrible down swing I went into after the mania. This illness is unkind to say the least. I did enjoy a few days of the mania though!
Julie
PS: My new book, Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder is now in stores and on the web. A mania recognition and treatment plan is in the book.
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