Mania

Mania is a psychological condition where the individual has abnormally elevated, extreme changes in the mood and energy level. The heightened energy and drastic change in a person can cause unusual behavior and thinking patterns. Mental health professionals often associate mania with bipolar disorder.

People with mania act impulsively and recklessly; they have racing thoughts, which makes them engage in risky things and stay in a state of euphoria. Mania can occur on its own or may occur with other mental health disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar, and substance abuse. This can definitely raise the question What is wrong with being so happy and excited? What is wrong with having so much energy?

Mania is over the top of the behavior. For example, out of the blue, a person can get a business idea and spend more time thinking about it. With that idea, they might become an instant millionaire and start investing recklessly in their savings without having any prior experience in business. Though this example sounds like normal behavior, a person with mania would end up spending a great deal of time and energy, like working sleepless nights, investing their resources without thinking of any backup plans, and having unrealistic expectations for themselves.

Hypomania is the less server version of mania. The difference between mania and hypomania

Difference between Mania and hypomania

Mania	Hypomania
At least once a week	At least four consecutive days
Causes severe impairment in their daily functions	Not severe impact
Psychotic symptoms can be present	Psychotic symptoms are not present

Symptoms of Manic episodes

– Feeling extremely happy and excited – grandiosity

– Inflated self esteem, thinking they are unbeatable and the best

– Abnormally high level of energy

– Impulsive

– Lack of sleep

– Being talkative than usual – Talk more and faster than usual

– Racing thoughts

– Easily distracted

– Always agitated

– Engaging in dangerous activity / risk taking behaviour

Some of the common causal factors are:

– Family history – There is high chance for a individual to be diagnosed with mania if any of the family member also have the same problem.

– Chemical imbalances in the brain.

– Life altering changes like divorce or unexpected death of a loved one.

– Childhood abuse

– Distress

– Chronic health conditions

– Brain injury

Treatment

• Medications will be prescribed by a psychiatrist.

• There are different talk therapies that can be beneficial for addressing the individual’s concerns and working on the individual’s thinking patterns.

• Psychotherapy: To identify and work through the causal factors that are causing the manic episodes

• Cognitive behavioral therapy can help the individual recognize their irrational perceptions and beliefs and work on themselves.

• Marriage and family therapy: This is essential in the treatment plan of a client with a manic episode, as family members need to be educated so that they can effectively help the individual with the mental health issues.

• Both medication and therapy can be used for the client with the guidance of a psychiatrist and psychologist.

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