Bipolar Mania: An Ex-Therapist’s Lived Experience With It
If you know a little bit about bipolar disorder, you probably know that it involves intense mood swings that are characterized by highs (mania) or lows (depression). These mood episodes can last for weeks and even months. Mania is often portrayed as the “fun” side of bipolar, but from someone who’s lived it, I can tell you: that’s simply not true. It’s very complex and disruptive. Here’s what mania has looked like for me:
FaceTiming relatives and sending rapid-fire texts at 3 AM
Leaving long, rambling voice notes that I’d later wonder what I was thinking.
Building an entire website from scratch—and staying up until 5 AM working on it.
Feeling unstoppable… until it all crashed.
Mania is a loss of control. And living through it has taught me a lot about it (that I never learned in textbooks).
Recognizing Bipolar 1 Manic Episode Symptoms
A person with mania may have euphoria, which is an intense feeling of excitement or joy. However, mania isn't just "feeling good." It's your brain going completely haywire. A manic episode is not subtle.
According to the DSM-5, a manic episode includes one week of a high or irritable mood (or any duration if hospitalized), plus increased activity and energy. Here's what the symptoms can look like in real life from my experience:
Decreased need for sleep - You have too many good ideas to sleep. Your brain just won’t turn off.
Grandiosity - This may look like inflated self-esteem. You’re convinced you’re famous or a genius.
Racing thoughts - Your thoughts are going a mile a minute (hence the long voice notes).
Involvement in risky activities - The activities may not be risky in and of themselves. But, they are risky because of a lack of judgment. You may spend money (that you don’t have) recklessly. You may travel impulsively (even though you are not in a state to do so). Sometimes, these behaviors result in arrest. For example, you may engage in reckless driving or other risky actions that could easily land you in jail.
Increase in goal-directed activity - You start big projects (ex., a novel) or you book trips to far-away places that you have no right visiting in your current state.
These symptoms must be severe enough that they impact your daily life, relationships, or work. If they require hospitalization or include psychosis, then it’s enough to qualify as a manic episode.
Common Misconceptions About Mania
One common misconception is that mania is fun. It’s not. You may feel irritated. Your thoughts may be racing so fast that you can’t even keep up. That’s not fun. It’s disorientating. You become agitated.
Another misconception is that mania is the same as hyperactivity. It is not. Mania also includes racing thoughts, risky behaviors, and grandiosity. These things are typically not present in hyperactivity. Also, during mania, psychotic symptoms like delusions may occur. This is not seen in ADHD or hyperactivity.
FAQs to Better Understand Mania
Mania is often misunderstood by those who have not experienced it. In this FAQ section, I’ll answer some of the most important questions about mania. This will help you gain a better understanding of what it is and how it can be managed.
How Long Does Mania Last in Bipolar 1?
To meet diagnostic criteria, it has to be at least 7 consecutive days (or fewer if the person is hospitalized). However, mania can last weeks to several months. If you receive the proper treatment, symptoms usually begin to improve within two weeks.
What Is the Difference Between Mania and Hypomania?
Mania lasts at least 7 days. It is severe and results in a major disruption to the person’s life (such as hospitalization). Mania is seen in bipolar 2. It is less severe. It lasts at least 4 consecutive days.
Related: When Is It Time For Bipolar Disorder Hospitalization?
How To Stop Being Manic
Once you are in a manic episode, it can be hard to stop it — even with medication. Personally, for me, hospitalization was required. However, you might be able to prevent a full-fledged manic episode by recognizing the symptoms early. Then you can talk to your psychiatrist and come up with a plan for tackling the symptoms. Try to do your best to make your environment calm and relaxing.
How Does It Feel To Be Manic?
It can feel different for different people. For me, it’s a mix of euphoria, chaos, and urgency. In severe mania, a person can become detached from reality and that’s what happened to me. This required hospitalization (for me).
