Manic Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

The depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder are usually pretty straightforward. The manic side, however, can be harder to decode. Symptoms of mania range from euphoria to rage, and people rarely look at what seems to be a good mood and see a symptom.

Mood

• During a manic episode you may feel extremely happy or extremely irritable. It may feel like nothing can go wrong in the world, like you're invincible, or you may be snapping at everyone over nothing.

Physical Symptoms

• It's common to feel restless and jumpy, as if you're on edge. You may find that you need very little sleep and that you can't stop moving.

Changes in Behavior

• A manic episode can cause you to become very impulsive and can impair your judgment. You may find yourself taking risks with money or sex, or engaging in other risky behaviors like driving recklessly or abusing drugs.

  You may also feel the urge to express yourself creatively, or to start ambitious projects. Your expectations for the outcomes of these endeavors may not match your actual capabilities.

  You may become much more social than usual and seem very friendly and outgoing.

Risks

• Risky behavior during a manic episode can lead to health problems, financial trouble and even death, as your inability to anticipate consequences is diminished. Extreme mania can be accompanied by psychotic symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations.

Hypomania

• Hypomania is a lesser form of mania, in which the mood is generally less severe and does not require medical attention.