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Signs & Symptoms of Mania in Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is classified as a mood disorder where someone goes through periods of extreme highs and extreme lows. Sometimes those highs can present a clear and present danger to the person or people around them. If untreated, these periods of mania can cause a patient to behave in ways that can land him in trouble with the law, in the hospital or even in the grave. By understanding the signs of mania in a bipolar patient, it is possible to stop these actions before they start.

  1. Bipolar Disorder

    • Bipolar disorder 1 is a classified mood disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders IV (DSM IV-TR), a guide that mental health professionals use to help diagnose patients. Patients diagnosed must have experienced at least one period of mania lasting at least one week. Most have also experienced at least one period of depression as well. In bipolar disorder, the periods are typically broken up with at least two months of a balanced mood. Although both extremes of mania and depression can be dangerous to the patient, mania can also present a danger to those around the patient.

    Physical Symptoms

    • Mania does present distinctive physical symptoms, particularly with communication. Patients experiencing mania will seem to talk about multiple subjects very rapidly. They can seem very fidgety and irritable. Manic patients will also tend to crave physical activity, so it wouldn't be surprising to see them working out two or three times a day. They will also seem to have no need for sleep.

    Psychological Symptoms

    • In a manic episode, patients will be in a seemingly euphoric state. This can lead to hyper-sexuality, or a craving for sexual activity. Patients also will take on several projects with the intent to finish each one. This is a sign of poor judgment. Bipolar patients in a manic state are also susceptible to abusing substances, particularly amphetamines, to keep the "high" going. They will also start to engage in more dangerous activities, which could lead to criminal arrests. Psychosis is also common.

    Hypomania

    • Hypomania is a form of mania diagnosed in patients with bipolar disorder 2. It is similar to mania, except the euphoria and symptoms are not as extreme and are more controllable. Some patients express preference for being in a hypomanic state because the depressive episodes are more chronic with bipolar disorder 2.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for a patient in a manic state is typically a combination of medications and talk therapy. Much of talk therapy focuses on coping skills for the patient and trying to prevent relapses. Sometimes family therapy is encouraged so that all are educated in how to keep the patient from being triggered into mania by certain actions and situations. Medications prescribed for manic episodes are typically antipsychotics and mood stabilizers such as lithium.

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