Mania is a state of elevated energy, mood, and behavior, most often seen in those with bipolar disorder , schizoaffective disorder, or who have taken certain drugs or medications. While the feelings present in mania can be positive, energetic, or even euphoric, they may also manifest more negatively—as emotions like irritation, anxiety , or grandiosity.
Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment of Mania
Mania can range from mild (known as hypomania ) to severe; at its most extreme, mania can trigger delusions, violence, and an increased risk of suicide. Depending on the cause, a manic episode can last anywhere from several days to several months, and will typically increase in severity—and in the level of agitation—as it progresses. Milder mania is more likely to be associated with positive outcomes, like increased productivity or greater feelings of optimism . However, the impulsive behaviors associated with a manic state can lead to substance abuse , unnecessary risks, or poor financial decisions.
Bipolar 1 is one possible cause of mania; since cycles of depression are much more common in those with the disorder, only one manic episode is necessary to grant a diagnosis of bipolar 1. Episodes of hypomania are more commonly associated with milder bipolar 2. When mania is accompanied by delusions or other psychosis -like symptoms, schizoaffective disorder is more likely to be diagnosed.
Hypomania, literally meaning “under mania,” is a temporary state of positivity and productivity that lasts at least four days. While hypomania results in noticeable changes in a person’s behavior and energy, it doesn’t reach the same severe shifts in mood and activity that characterize a full-blown manic episode. When hypomania appears alongside depression, it may indicate the presence of a bipolar disorder (most likely bipolar II).
An individual in the throes of a manic episode may suffer from delusions or hallucinations. Some common examples include delusions of grandeur (believing that you are famous, publicly important, or chosen by God), persecutory or paranoid delusions (suspecting that you are being spied on or followed), jealous delusions (being convinced that your partner is cheating on you), and delusions of reference (thinking that random events hold a special significance for you alone).
Explore More About Mania
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