Bipolar mania is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a "distinct period of unusual and persistent elevated, expansive or irritable mood that lasts at least one week, requires hospitalization, or results in psychosis." Not all people diagnosed with bipolar disorder experience bipolar mania. In fact, only people with Bipolar I experience full-blown mania–people with bipolar II experience a less intense, but still dangerous, form of mania called hypomania.
Skin issues and tinnitus are just a few physical signs of mania to be on the lookout for—recognizing them can help you be prepared. When you live your life in a perpetual hypomanic haze—like I did for years— it’s hard to know whether you’re simply feeling a natural high or if you’re on the verge...
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Manic episodes in bipolar I disorder play out differently for different people but often have scorching consequences. Learning about triggers, symptoms, and effective treatments is imperative. When Keely describes her first manic episode, she lists what might be considered “classic” symptoms. “I had lots of energy, a case of the giggles, and racing thoughts,” says...
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It’s all in the eyes! Mania profoundly affects the entire eye, from lids and lashes to pupils and color rings. Physical Signs of Bipolar Depression & Mania It’s easy to see depression—at least the kind of depression we associate with slumped shoulders, feeling dead inside, and crying. Depression shows on our faces like a book...
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This time of year, I actively resist the urge to overspend. I love giving gifts, going to holiday parties, and dressing up to celebrate. In the past, mania “managed” my wallet and festivities for me. It just forgot about, well, everything else. Thankfully, I’ve learned some lessons to manage my money, my moods, and the...
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It can be easy to forget that our actions during a mood episode are the symptoms of bipolar—they’re not true representations of our personality and decision-making when stable. Especially after the more “outrageous” behaviors associated with mania, the guilt and shame we feel can keep us from taking stock of what we’ve done and even...
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My first manic episode and diagnosis of bipolar hit me hard. They pushed me to become the person I am today—someone who proactively manages symptoms and not only truly knows herself but also trusts herself in the midst of any storm. My 1st Manic Episode My first experience of going to therapy was in 1998,...
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Mood symptoms such as overspending, hypersexuality, anger attacks, and self-isolation hurt those around us. A simple apology is just the starting point of making things right. When Our Actions during Bipolar Mood Episodes Harm Others Olivia S. of Colorado got up one morning to unexpectedly find two of her four grown children in her living...
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With bipolar disorder comes impulsivity. After dealing with the fallout of decisions made in haste or when unwell, I know it’s essential to take my time when making choices that could have a substantial impact on my life. Here’s how I move forward when faced with big decisions. Bipolar Disorder & Living in a State...
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Some bipolar mood episodes can make us behave in ways that are “mean and nasty.” They aren’t fun—for anybody—but the good news is we can learn to recognize and prevent them before our relationships suffer. Many people believe that bipolar disorder comes with only sad depression or euphoric mania. In reality, this is just 50%...
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Many of us can remember it in perfect detail: the exact moment when we realized that we were living with bipolar disorder—and, in my case, not depression. Here I unravel my pre-diagnosis misconceptions, “mistakes,” and hypo/manic misadventures—and that pivotal moment of recognition. My Magic/Manic Moment of Metacognition … The Musical Who wants to open up...
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I have found that psychosis is often misunderstood and misjudged. My bipolar delusions of grandeur led to my diagnosis and transformed me into a better mental health advocate and a better, kinder person. Psychosis, Delusions of Grandeur, & Bipolar Disorder When it comes to mental health conditions, sometimes we are unaware of our illness until...
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To effectively manage our moods and find treatments that work, it is vital that we clear away the confusion surrounding common misbeliefs about bipolar disorder. I understand why people get confused about bipolar disorder. It’s a complicated illness with many symptoms. It helps to know what isn’t true about bipolar so that we can make...
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With bipolar, my mood can fluctuate between the extremes of mania and depression, and my thoughts often follow an all-or-nothing pattern, too. In times of high stress, it’s easy to convince myself things will never get better. The good news? I don’t have to believe myself. Unhelpful Thought Patterns I, like many others, have been...
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With grand leaps and crushing steps backward, I have achieved major goals, enjoyed many adventures, and overcome sizeable challenges. Bipolar may not have held me back so much as spurred me on! I have never followed a solid upward trajectory. The arc of my life consists of fits and starts, of grand leaps and crushing...
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I quickly shifted from excited to manic, then suddenly found myself deep in a mixed episode. The ups and downs—the simultaneous but opposing moods—have been overwhelming. Here is how I’m adjusting to a new job while also getting a handle on my bipolar symptoms. New Job, New Bipolar Hurdles I started a new job four...
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At certain points in the year and in life, I feel pressured to accomplish a lot of tasks all at once. I’ve learned that when I’m overbooked and overwhelmed, hypomania, mania, and hospitalization are sure to follow. Here’s what I do to avoid a mood episode with bipolar. Obligations, Overscheduling & Bipolar Do NOT Mix...
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After a manic episode, I realized the damage done and knew I had to create a strategy to limit (or prevent) this mood episode at the earliest possible sign of onset. Know Thyself, Know Thy Manic Episode If you have done a lot of damage in a manic episode, you might have learned (as I...
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A lack of sleep contributed to my first manic episode and my bipolar diagnosis. To become stable, I needed to solve my sleep problems—for good. The Functional Purpose of Sleep No longer is sleep just for our beauty. It is a foundational component for our mental well-being, and we cannot take it for granted. I...
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I recently realized that I’d been missing an early warning sign of an oncoming manic episode. It’s not just irritability but intense impatience! The Red Flags of Impending Bipolar Episodes When I’m experiencing an episode, it can be pretty obvious. I exhibit the typical “textbook” bipolar symptoms: When I’m depressed, I stop hanging out with...
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The longer days of spring bring with them the onset of my mania, but now I have the self-awareness and tools to manage my moods. I follow my very own “bipolar calendar.” And it is nearly always the same. Every spring, like clockwork, the sun returns to southern Alaska with an unnecessary force, and with...
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Mania can sneak up on me. When I recognize that I’m about to experience an episode, I turn to specific steps to keep it from escalating. Sudden Onset of Mania Manic episodes in bipolar disorder can be scary. Often, due to a phenomenon called anosognosia (where a person is not aware of their own behavior...
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With this diagnosis comes lifetime admission to the Bipolar Theme Park, where the possibilities for mood flare-ups (and downs) are endless! … But, guess what? We don’t have to ride ALL of the roller coasters. In my journey with bipolar, I’ve been puzzling over how to detect the signs of an oncoming mood episode. I...
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Stability was a welcome relief after years of manic and depressive episodes. But I missed the euphoria of hypomania, so I had to find safer ways for that adrenaline buzz. The “High” of Hypomania The state of hypomania is alluring, so much so that it’s a common reason we go off of our medication. Everything...
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