What Is a Manic Episode?

Bipolar disorder affects 4.4% of all adults at some point throughout their life, and about 2.8% of adults have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the last year, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. Out of the adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder, nearly 83% experience extreme disruptions to their daily routines. Bipolar disorder is a mental health illness characterized by extreme shifts in mood that vacillate between manic episodes and depressive episodes, although each episode impacts your quality of life  differently.

If you or a family member are newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you might have questions about what each episode is. In this article, we’ll help shed light on what manic episodes are and what you can do to reduce their impact on your quality of life. 

What Is a Manic Episode?

According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a person must have experienced at least one episode of mania or hypomania in order to be diagnosed with one of the bipolar disorders (in addition to the depressive episodes too.) A manic episode is more than just a mood swing. It is an emotional state in which a person may feel elevated or even irritable. Manic episodes can last anywhere from four days to a few months.

At first, you might not think that an elevated mood is a bad thing, and because of this, many people might not seek help at first. However, it’s important to note that mania isn’t just “feeling good”; rather, these symptoms are a departure from what’s normal for your i.e., your normal actions or behaviors. 

Mania can be so intense that it can impact your performance at work and interferes with your relationships with friends and family.

Signs of a Manic Episode

Dr. Briscoe continues, “During [a manic episode], the person may experience excessive amounts of energy, a decreased need for sleep, euphoria (an unnaturally elevated mood), irritability, and/or excessive involvement in projects or activities. These are just examples, and not everyone shows every symptom.” Below, we’ll take a look at the common, observable signs of a manic episode.

1.Decreased Need for Sleep

Depression — whether that’s seasonal affective disorder, major depression, or a bipolar depressive episode — can increase your need for sleep. However, a person in the midst of a manic episode may demonstrate little need for sleep. He or she may go to bed and wake up just an hour or two later, wide awake and ready to continue on a project or activity. Increased energy is listed as the primary criterion for bipolar disorder, according to this study.

2. Racing Thoughts

This is another common sign of a manic episode. Racing thoughts can also lead to increased speed at which your loved one is talking. 

3. Easily Distracted

All of those racing thoughts can lead to another sign of mania called flight of ideas. To keep up with the racing thoughts, the mind seems to jumps quickly from one idea to the next. This can make your loved one appear to be easily distracted. 

4. Engaging in Activities that Hold the Potential for Painful Consequences

Risky behaviors include unrestrained shopping sprees, gambling, making foolish business investments, or even hypersexuality. Risky behaviors can include illicit behaviors, but it’s not limited to them. For instance, an unrestrained shopping spree could be considered a sign of a manic episode, particularly if you’re normally not a shopper.

5. Increased Irritability and Hostility 

During a manic episode, it’s normal to feel elevated and happy and good, but it’s also normal to feel irritable. However, if you notice that a loved one is acting aggressively or mentioning thoughts about suicide, it’s important to recognize these signs as a mental health emergency. 

Seek immediate psychiatric care if you or a loved one notice hostility or concerns about suicide. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 1-800-273-8255. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

6. Delusions of Grandeur

Delusions of grandeur are spurred by an inflated sense of self. Examples of delusions of grandeur include:

• Quitting your job suddenly to run for a political office in your state
• Keeping the notion that you are friends with a celebrity

How do you know if a thought is a delusion of grandeur? Remember, mania departs from what is normal behavior for you or a loved one. For example, if your loved one has always been interested in politics and has pursued a career in politics, then running for a political office isn’t out of the ordinary. However, if your loved one has never been interested in politics and then quits his job suddenly, that could be a red flag. 

7. Focus on Goal-Oriented Tasks

You might notice your loved develop an obsession for a specific activity or project. It’s normal to feel excited about a project you’re passionate about, but the difference here is that during mania the hyperfocus on the task interferes with your daily life. For example, you might so focused on a specific project that you miss work or skip out on familial obligations to focus on the task at hand.

Why Treatment Matters for Manic Episodes

“One of the most dangerous aspects is that multiple untreated manic or hypomanic episodes can be very harmful to the brain. They can sometimes even lead to cognitive impairment and/or decreasing IQ over time. (This can happen because leaving mania untreated is a lot like running a car eighty miles an hour all day, every day. Eventually the motor—the brain—will break down.),” says Dr. Brian Briscoe.

The right treatment can also:

• Improve the quality of your life
• Can help you engage in relationships
• Can better equip you to succeed in the workplace
• Help stabilize mood changes and reduce symptoms
• Help prevent future manic or depressive episodes from occurring and reduce their overall intensity

Treatment for Manic Episodes

The primary treatments for bipolar disorder include medications (including mood stabilizers and antipsychotics) and psychotherapy to control symptoms.

In addition to psychiatric care, there are many lifestyle changes that can support your mental well-being. This includes maintaining a regular exercise schedule, following a balanced, nutrient-dense diet, and attending your therapy sessions.

In addition, it’s essential to adhere to your recommended medication schedules. If you need help remembering to take medication, try setting a reminder on your phone.

The Right Treatment Can Help

If you, or someone whom you love, are struggling with Bipolar Disorder, we can help. To make an appointment, call our office at 502-339-2442 or get in touch with us at to book an appointment with one of our compassionate and non-judgmental providers.

And please, if you’re not comfortable getting help from us, get help from another qualified doctor or therapist.

Because you can count on this: Life and the future, even with bipolar disorder, can and will be much brighter with treatment.