Why mania occurs

Unlike hypomanic episodes, manic episodes can lead to serious consequences. With mania, you may also have a break with reality.

Psychotic symptoms can include:. The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unclear. Family history may play a role.

Bipolar disorder may also involve a chemical imbalance in the brain. During your appointment, your doctor will likely take your medical history and do a physical exam. Diagnosing mania and hypomania can be complicated. Also, if you have depression but your doctor is unaware of manic or hypomanic behavior, they may diagnose you with depression instead of bipolar disorder. In addition, other health conditions can cause mania and hypomania.

Plus, an overactive thyroid gland can cause symptoms that mimic hypomania or mania. In most cases, symptoms must last at least a week for your doctor to diagnose them as mania. To treat mania and hypomania, your doctor may prescribe psychotherapy as well as medication. The medication can include mood stabilizers and antipsychotics.

You may need to try several different medications before your doctor discovers the right combination to treat your symptoms effectively. If you have problems with side effects, talk to your doctor.

Healthy lifestyle habits can help. Maintain a healthy diet, get a little exercise every day, and go to bed on schedule every night. Not getting enough sleep can trigger hypomania. You might also want to avoid too much caffeine. Mania and hypomania can be managed. Learn to recognize triggers so you can avoid them. By charting your moods , you might be able to spot early warning signs.

For instance, if you learn to spot the early warning signs of a manic episode, you can work with your doctor to keep it under control. If you have bipolar disorder, treatment is key. It might even be a good idea to get your family involved in therapy.

Risky behaviors associated with mania are those that have a high potential for negative or painful outcomes. They may include:. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Mania is not something to be ignored. Leaving symptoms untreated can be dangerous.

If you or someone you love experiences mania, talk to your doctor, who can help with diagnosing the underlying cause to begin the appropriate treatment and reduce the risk of complications. Suicide is the most severe complication of untreated bipolar disorder. These may be serious symptoms of mania. Even so, the symptoms of mania can be difficult to distinguish from those of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD.

Some common mania symptoms in children include:. If your child is showing signs of mania or depression , talk to their pediatrician or your family doctor as soon as possible. Moods and behaviors often return to baseline after manic episodes. Causes of mania in bipolar disorder are not entirely known, but may include a combination of:. Physical conditions that have been associated with mania include:.

You and your doctor will discuss symptoms, including how long episodes typically last. Next, your doctor will order tests—such as a thyroid function test and urinalysis—to rule out other potential contributions to your symptoms. In order for a manic episode to be diagnosed as part of bipolar disorder, a person must have three of the following symptoms persisting to a significant degree, meaning there has to be a noticeable change in behavior:.

The mood disturbance has to be so severe that it causes marked impairment in your social or occupational functioning or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others. Also, the mania episode is not the result of a substance- or medication-induced disorder. Symptoms of mania can be managed with appropriate treatment. Some people may find it easier to manage mania with a combination of medications and psychotherapy. The type of medication your doctor prescribes depends on the underlying cause of your mania.

Not all medications typically prescribed in mental health settings will be appropriate. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs are antidepressants used for treating depression, but they are used with caution or avoided because they may trigger mania or worsen mood cycling.

Medications that may be prescribed include:. Psychotherapy focuses on supporting patients in managing their illness and developing healthier coping skills. It can also help patients and their family members better navigate stressful periods and triggers.

Common types of therapy used to treat bipolar disorder and the associated mania include:. A review of data from — found that bipolar disorder-specific psychotherapies, when used together with medications, consistently show advantages over medications alone on symptom severity and the risk of relapse.

You can also make some other positive changes that can help manage mania and bipolar disorder, including:. If you experience manic episodes, coping with stressors and reducing overall stress levels can help.

Coping with personal stressors is about removing obstacles to help you overcome perceived difficulties. Strategies may include:. Bipolar disorder was formerly called manic depression or manic-depressive illness. They both describe the mental disorder that causes dramatic mood shifts and changes in energy, activity, and concentration levels. In a manic episode caused by bipolar disorder, a person can experience increased energy, creativity, and feelings of euphoria.

There may, however, also be irritability and loss of touch with reality. If you experience mania, you should see a professional for diagnosis and treatment. You can calm a manic episode to some degree by practicing anxiety-reducing techniques like deep breathing and focusing on what you can see, hear, smell, and touch. You can also develop and practice stress-reducing strategies. However, appropriate psychiatric medications are usually required.

You may feel like your goals are hopeless after your mania passes, but with treatment you can work to stabilize these ups and downs. Mania is characterized by feelings of elevated self-esteem, mood, and increased activity. People who have manic episodes may talk fast, need less sleep, and engage in risky behaviors like spending sprees. People can see their doctor to discuss a treatment plan for mania. Treatment options may include:.

If people are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, they can talk to their doctor about the safety of taking medication for mania. Taking valproate during pregnancy can increase the chances of a baby having birth defects or learning disabilities. People may find the following strategies can help in day-to-day living with mania or a condition that involves mania, such as bipolar disorder:. People may experience euphoric highs, heightened energy, or impulsive behavior.

Mania can occur by itself, but often has an association with bipolar disorder. Mania symptoms can be severe and people may need treatment in a hospital. Treatments for mania can include antipsychotic or mood-stabilizing medication. Taking care of physical health, learning warning signs, and putting self-care and coping strategies in place can also help people living with mania. The symptoms of mania in bipolar disorder include high energy levels, euphoria, and elevated self-esteem.

Learn more about bipolar mania symptoms here. Mania and hypomania are periods when a person feels unusually elated or energized. They are often symptoms of different types of bipolar disorder. Dysphoric mania is a common group of symptoms linked to bipolar disorder, including depression, suicidal thoughts, and irritability. What are effects….

Certain foods and dietary choices may help people better manage their symptoms of mania and depression. Learn more here. There are five categories of bipolar disorder. Bipolar I and II occur most frequently, while other types are less common. Learn more about the….