Bipolar? What is Mania Really?

Hi,

How are you today? I hope you are having a good day.

I have been hearing a lot of confusion lately about mania. What is mania exactly?

When you google search “define mania” you get some very strange answers, and some good ones. How do you know which are which?

For example, I found one definition that said it was a violent derangement of mind, that it was madness and insanity, and that you could also call it delirium. I find that funny, because most of those terms aren’t even politically correct terms to use anymore!

Another definition said it was an insane passion affecting a person. Well, that hits just a little closer to the truth, but it is still pretty far off.

Some of the definitions would lead you to believe that mania is a motive, or a disorder by itself. One definition even called it fanaticism! (Which means extreme passion.) So what is it really? Which parts of these definitions are true, and which parts are made up?

Let’s begin by going over what mania is not. It is not just a passion: it is much more than that. I’m not sure it can be called a motive, as it leaves the person unmotivated to do the things they should be doing. It is not a disorder by itself, it is a symptom.

So what sort of symptom is it?

One definition I found that came a little closer to the truth said something along the lines of: Mania is a state of abnormally high or irritable moods/arousal/energy levels. It is a criteria for certain diagnoses of psychiatric illnesses.

“High or irritable moods and energy levels.” It is easy enough to figure out what a high energy level is. But what is a high mood? When you have a high mood you feel elated. For example, when your friend surprises you with a card for no particular reason, just because they were thinking about you. This could make your whole day better. Or when you get done with a hard task and know that you have the rest of the day to yourself to relax. The accomplishment might give you a “high” mood.

The difference between these normally high moods and mania is that with mania there isn’t a good reason why the person is in such a good mood. In fact, they could be having the worst day imaginable, and they seem to be untouched by it.

Another symptom of mania can be irritability. Have you ever had one of those days where nothing could go right? Didn’t that make you irritable? People who experience mania can experience this for no particular reason.

Grandiose notions is another symptom, which basically means that the person believes that they are better and more capable than what they are, and maybe even in a higher position. They may believe they can do no wrong, no matter what they do.

People who are in a manic episode may talk to much, too quickly, and too loudly.

They may have racing thoughts that they cannot seem to slow down. Have you ever had that? Maybe at bedtime, all the events of the day run through your mind so that you cannot sleep. Imagine having that happen all of the time. Can you see why they might be irritable?

Maybe you’ve noticed this next one in the person you know that has bipolar disorder, but you might be hesitant to talk or ask about it. People who are in a manic episode have an increased sexual desire, and are more likely to involve themselves in inappropriate and even dangerous sexual activity.

Uh oh, now the cat’s out of the bag.

But it’s true, and sometimes it can affect the lives of a person with bipolar disorder and the people who love them in many ways.

Another symptom of mania is having all the energy in the world. Have you ever seen a young child? Especially a two-year old. I’ve heard so many people say that if only they could bottle up that energy and sell it they’d be rich. Well, if there was some way to take only the energy level out of mania and sell it, then they’d probably be even richer.

Now, maybe you’ve noticed this, and it was hinted at when we talked about the sexual desires. People who are experiencing mania have poor judgment. It’s not like they just make a few mistakes, like we all do. It is to the point that they cannot think rationally at all, and some things that we would normally think was obvious, and may even be obvious to them when they are not like this, are things that they can’t even understand right then.

Let’s take jobs for example. A person with bipolar disorder, we’ll call her Gina, has worked at her job for 10 years. It has been a stable job, and she loves working there. One day, while in a manic episode, she decides that another job that claims great promises would be better for her, and without even knowing if she has this other job, she quits the job she’s had for 10 years to pursue it. Sound familiar?

Another example of poor judgment that they may exhibit is in the use of drugs and alcohol. They also may spend money recklessly, or drive recklessly.

Do you remember when we talked about thoughts racing before bedtime? Can you imagine someone with all this going on being able to sleep well? Most people who are in a manic episode experience insomnia, or difficulty sleeping.

Sometimes a person who is in a manic episode experiences delusions or hallucinations, but this does not happen to everyone who experiences mania.

Other times, the person may experience rage or aggression. This is not to say that they naturally become violent just because they are in a manic episode. But they may have the feelings of anger and aggression for no apparent reason.

One thing to remember about mania is that it is abnormal. So if a person is experiencing only one or two things that happens to be on this list, and they are experiencing them in a normal way for normal reasons, then that is not mania.

So, despite all the randomly inaccurate definitions that are floating around on the internet, there is some truth to be found about what mania is. Does this all make sense to you?

Well, I have to go!

Your Friend,

Dave

  1. Mania! Oh do i know mania.. I have bipolar and tend to live at the amnia end of the spectrum.. I cannot sit still for any length of time even strapped in the car. My aniexty is ridiculous, i dont know if its driven by the mania or vice verssa but i obsessivly clean and organize, basically accomplishing little due to the fact that i have 5 kids and never know whats coming my way next. Irritability.. um yes… imagine u cant shut ur body or your mind off ever.. n what little slepp u do get is broken up by an autistic child (step son no biology) having a “moment”. I am able to isolate myself though this is the main coping skill i use. N when i say isolate its a period of time for me to calm or regulate back to a non aggregvated irritable mood, while still being manic. It are those time when the mania leads or fuels into the depression that i know its time to go seek outside someting… whether it be coffee with a friends, looking at someone elses (for lack of better phrasing) crappy situation to realize my luife is not all that bad… its a process of regulation.. But i would not define mania as a bad thing by any means. Its my life..it has been for 25 years.. or thats how far i can remember back to the racing thoughts, aniexty and onset of “depression” or regression as i like to call it at time… Chin up everyone! I beleive thats its hard to chock the whole cow down i one big bite… so my modo is “take smaller bites, youll get it down”

  2. I believe I am going through one of these episodes again. I never knew they were mania or high moods, but cleaned several closets out and took all the clothes to be donated. I have not touched these places in such a long time. Also upset more about sex, for personal reasons, wanting to go back into the business that I worked 60-80 hours a week. Any help you can give on this or testimonies shared I need. HELP!

  3. Thank you for all the info. It has been very helpfull with dilling with my wife”s illness. I understand it alittle better. It is still a hard road to go down, not just for me , but I can”t even focus what she goes through every day. It has to be a hard life!

  4. hello dave…have not been on here forever..sorry, have not been purposely ignoring you…life has been busy…
    what caught my atention was your post about the “Mania”…I struggle with this so bad, I get a lot of high’s..and being I am a very hyper active person any ways, I get the high’s so bad where it takes me so long to chill out so to speak and calm down to a better level…where I am not bouncing….
    when I hit my lows…I get so low that you could put a bomb under me sometimes and would not even notice it, no emotions, reactions to anything..or real extreme bad moods…where I am ruining everything around me…..
    it is a hard thing to deal with, my spouse has a hard time dealing with me at times to when I hit these stages as well some days…I think it has honestly pushed us apart a bit….feels like it any ways?!

  5. Thankyou for discribing mania. Yes I would be irritable. Just last night I had the racing thoughts[it seemed like forever] but I did go to sleep so it wasn’t. Thanks to you, saying like when you are trying to go to sleep and the mind just keeps going. When I read that it hit ” thats how I was last night” and hated it. THankyou for a little more understanding into bipolar disorder[not to fond of it either]. But love, love, love two of my kids who suffer. Older is doing great, younger one[23] not yet.

  6. I am so thankful for the e-mails I receive. It may not seem important to some other folks but for someone living with bipolar disorder it makes a big difference in how I view myself day to day some times hour to hour. The information I receive helps me identify with my symptoms.
    I never realized how important it was to see others in my shoes, to be able to help myself. To touch on todays topic
    , It really hit home. I myself was in a real job for 8 years I loved it. I was good at it. then one day out of the blue I walked in and quit no reason just had so many ideas running threw my head that it took over. It was so fast. Looking back I realized that it was actually leading up to a breakdown. The job was perfect. I realize now that the reason I did so well was because people around me noticed I had these problems before I did and would move me from job to job often when they would see the destructive pattern starting to show. The problem is they never told me and I didn’t see it myself. I still see some of my co-workers from time to time and they tell me how crazy I used to act. A symptom that I never noticed was this, If I was not at work an hour early my supervisor new I would be calling off. They tell me now and this really isn’t funny but they say if they got me mad before the start of the shift I was unstoppable and would run wide open the whole shift. They used this information they found against me instead of to help me.They drove me to a breakdown to get me to quit as I would find out much later from a friend.

    So back on point, I learn so much from the e-mails that I receive. I have alot of problems in this life and looking back I know I really was unable to control it.

    Thank you for your continued help and support. It’s not falling on deaf ears.

  7. Hi dav…theres just no stopping someone in a manic, there could take over the world in there heads, lets just say things get done..
    Take Care Linda..

  8. This is a really good description of an “Episode”….. I had 2 such episodes in the last two years & I’m trying to understand why it happened & prevent it happening again….. Thnx for the email, I’ve copied it & will give it to my coleagues so they can understand a little more. I did’nt agree with an earlier email you sent me stating Obama trying to “Boil the ocean” and told you so. People are so very diverse i struggle with the whole labeling of mental disorders anyway. My way of looking at it is that my mind was poorly….. Thnx for the email though 🙂 Rosie

  9. OH MY GOD! I knew I was right, but now you gave me the information right in my hands to use as a way to help myself end a nightmare I created last week~!

    My Boyfriend came home drunk, and got a little rough with me, I accused him of RAPE! Then after reading my journal realized I have been Manic, I was able yesterday to get the protection order vacated, he should be able to return home tomorrow, now I have to talk to the police officer and convince him not to press charges, this helps me so much. You just gave me the information I needed to help my boyfriend not suffer because if my illness.

    Thank you David, God Bless YOU!

  10. Dave you have described the signs that a loved one would have when in a manic state just so precisely.
    My daughter displayed all of those signs when she had her first BP episode at the age of 32. At first her symptoms were not noticeably different to the norm. These symptoms got progressively worse over a period of several months , so that I could no longer dismiss the symptoms as a little eccentric or strange- Rachels unwellness became very acute
    ( where her life was endangered because the psychosis had kicked in by this time) that I had to step in and get her to hospital. I only wish I had acted sooner to get her the help she sorely needed to ease her terrible condition. ”
    I have learn’t that BP is the enemy that comes uninvited and sneaks up on Rachel any old time of the day or night. There is no cure for BP currently however BP can be controlled and managed by Rachel Im here to support Rachels endeavours
    thanks for youy amazing emails Dave always inspirational always so much help
    Regards
    Shona

  11. I’m half-way “there.” My stress levels are “off the chart,” as I am selling my condo, and getting ready to move to an apartment. I continue to suffer from vertigo for the last 10 months, with no explanation. I’ve also lost 9 pounds since my last weigh-in, and my shrink is almost “terriified” I will be the “incredible shrinking lady.” I’m aware that sudden, drastic weight loss CAN lead to death, but I have a PCP whom I am seeing on the 30th who is a great diagnosticion, and I’m sure he can figure something out. I now weight 105 pounds (5’9″). I scare myself…

    Without warning, my shrink DECREASED my mood stabilizer last week, hoping by doing that, I will gain some weight. However, I had a “psychotic break” last night, in which I had a panic attack, and couldn’t remember HOW to drive, or what I was doing in the car. I talked to my shrink, and she put me back on my regular dosage during this stressful time (thank God!).

    Other than the brief “break,” I fear hypomania creeping up on me because of all that I’m going through. If it’s not packing, it’s transferring cable, and getting my address change. There’s ALWAYS something going on. In addition to MY internal stress, my roommate (who is leaving April 1), gets drunk, and she’s a VERY mean drunk. I had to install a slide-lock on my bedroom door and keep my cats in my bedroom at night, because she’s so destructive when she drinks, and I get scared and nervous when she “gets in my face” and yells at me. I am of a “split mind” about her leaving. On the one hand, she’s been an INCREDIBLE worker, helping me to organize and pack AND clean up; on the other, she’s a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” and I can’t predict HER moods.

    I can relate to ALL the definitions of “mania” that Dave writes about in his newsletter today. Racing thoughts, indiscriminate sex, poor judgment, and especially delusions of grandeur. I am very spiritual, and read the religious newsletters on the computer – but I can’t AFFORD to “go there” if I want to remain sane before – and after – my move. My biggest concern is: I can manage a crisis just fine. It’s when it’s all over, that I go manic. Please pray for me that I keep my sanity through all this.

    BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good. I continue to pray for my country (God knows).

  12. I have been thinking about the fact that my husband is not so much manic/depressive as more manic. He isn’t excessively, outwardly so, but driven. I have heard the term “high functioning” bi-polarism before. He is brilliant and capable and driven. He displays several of the characteristics (symptoms) Dave listed and many of them have isolated him from the world around him. Deep feelings and excessive thoughts sometimes lead to responses the average person doesn’t find acceptable. But anyone who genuinely knows him finds him to be talented and opinionated and good at so many things. He cares deeply.

    Everyone needs support and compassion and understanding. I have found it my place as a supporter to manage and maximize his positives. This benefits the whole family and gives my husband a history of contributing to the world through his family and work to be proud of. Having self-worth is key to maintaining stability.

    I appreciate you , Dave, for choosing great points to explain and give examples for things that help us all find ways to better deal with bi-polar disorder.

    Thanks so much and keep up the great work that spreads knowledge and adds to the world for the greater good.

    For all you out there living with bi-polar disorder, support yourselves, support each other, love your loved ones and never give up.
    Paisley, Wife, Mother, Help-meet

  13. This is a good subject. Mania for my husband was “caused” by someone doubling his anti-depressant when he was already hypo-manic and we told the NP this. Once it started it was hard to stop and lasted at least 3 months. The projects he started and things he did were amazing – but distructive. We got kicked out of our church even though no harm was done. The consequences of it, debt, reputation, job loss is all heart breaking and affects the whole family. We went through it again a year later – again because we were trying new medication for his debilitating depression (which was of course fueled by the events/consequences of the later mania). It is hard dealing with depression, but so many losses occured due to the mania. I am taking a class called Family to Family put on my some of the NAMI folks: National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. I recommended it for the same reasons family members get good information here. thanks,

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