| Bipolar Disorder |
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Manic Phase
Understanding Mania
Mania is the reverse of depression. People who
are manic have a cheerful mood, feel confident
and 'up', but emotions such as affection,
generosity, love, irritability and anger are very
volatile. They can feel intense elation and increased
sexual feelings, resulting in indiscreet and inappropriate
behaviour.
People can feel energetic and productive at the
beginning of a manic period, only to lose touch
with reality as the episode worsens. This loss
of contact with reality is called psychosis. For
example, someone with manic psychosis might believe
they have been sent by God to perform special
tasks or that they are on a special mission to
save the world. Sometimes they will lose judgement
and recklessly spend large amounts of money or
incur enormous debt.
Hypomania
Hypomania is an upswing in mood which lasts at
least 2 days and has some of the features of mania
but is not as severe. There is usually no loss
of contact with reality.
Hypomania can be a very productive state as energy,
confidence, creativity and enthusiasm all increase.
Hypomania is often the first indication of an
impending episode of mania which sometimes follows
very quickly.
Symptoms of Mania
Symptoms of mania include:
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feelings of elation -
more than normal joy or happiness |
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increased activity and
energy |
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not needing or wanting
sleep |
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rapid speech which may
become impossible to understand |
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fast flow of ideas |
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increased sexual activity |
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irritability which may
flare into anger and rage |
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feelings of greatness
or being specially 'chosen' |
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increased spiritual feelings |
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lack of insight into own
behaviour |
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reduced sense of danger |
If untreated, these feelings can persist for
weeks or months. People are unaware their behaviour
is becoming more bizarre, and might enjoy the
manic episode. It is the following depression
that causes suffering, together with any damage
done during the manic episode such as financial
mismanagement, job loss or family destabilisation.
People may be insensitive to others' feelings
during manic episodes and can alienate those most
willing to help.
While we don't understand exactly how manic episodes
start, they may be triggered by stress or lack
of sleep in susceptible individuals.
Conditions that can affect the brain - such as
multiple sclerosis, tumours, infections and circulatory
disease - occasionally cause mania. This is particularly
likely in people who become manic later in life.
For this reason, it is important to have a thorough
medical check, particularly if in the older age
groups.
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