What is a manic episode?

A manic episode is a period of time in which you experience one or more

symptoms of mania and meet the criteria for a manic episode. In some
cases, you may need to be hospitalized.

Can I have a manic episode as its own condition or is it always part of another
mental health condition?

Technically if you have a manic episode, you have a mental health

condition. Mania can be a part of several mental health conditions
including:

 Bipolar I disorder (the most common condition for mania to occur).

 Seasonal affective disorder.
 Postpartum psychosis.
 Schizoaffective disorder.
 Cyclothymia.

What is bipolar I disorder?

Bipolar I disorder is a mental health illness in which a person has major

high and low swings in mood, activity, energy and ability to think clearly.
To be diagnosed with bipolar I disorder, you have to have at least one
episode of mania that lasts for at least seven days or have an episode that
is so severe that it requires hospitalization.

Most people have both episodes of both mania and depression, but you
don’t have to have depression to be diagnosed with mania. Many people
with a bipolar I disorder diagnosis have recurring, back-to-back manic
episodes with very few episodes of depression.

What are the triggers of manic episodes?

Manic episode triggers are unique to each person. You’ll have to become a
bit of a detective and monitor your mood (even keeping a “mood diary”)
and start to track how you feel before an episode and when it occurs. Ask
family and close friends who you trust and have close contact with to help
identify your triggers. As outside observers, they may notice changes from
your usual behavior more easily than you do.

Knowing your triggers can help you prepare for an episode, lessen the
effect of an episode or prevent it from happening at all.

Common triggers to be aware of include:

 A highly stimulating situation or environment (for example, lots of

noise, bright lights or large crowds).
 A major life change (such as divorce, marriage or job loss).
 Lack of sleep.
 Substance use, such as recreational drugs or alcohol.

What happens after a manic episode?

After a manic episode, you may:

 Feel happy or embarrassed about your behavior.

 Feel overwhelmed by all the activities you’ve agreed to take on.
 Have only a few or unclear memories of what happened during your
manic episode.
 Feel very tired and need sleep.
 Feel depressed (if your mania is part of bipolar disorder).

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

What are the symptoms of mania?

Symptoms of a manic episode

 Having an abnormally high level of activity or energy.

 Feeling extremely happy or excited — even euphoric.
 Not sleeping or only getting a few hours of sleep but still feeling
rested.
 Having inflated self-esteem, thinking you’re invincible.
 Being more talkative than usual. Talking so much and so fast that
others can’t interrupt.
 Having racing thoughts — having lots of thoughts on lots of topics at
the same time (called a “flight of ideas”).
 Being easily distracted by unimportant or unrelated things.
 Being obsessed with and completely absorbed in an activity.
 Displaying purposeless movements, such as pacing around your
home or office or fidgeting when you’re sitting.
 Showing impulsive behavior that can lead to poor choices, such as
buying sprees, reckless sex or foolish business investments.