What is Mania

Mania is a condition that affects people who have certain mood disorders. Mania involves episodes of emotional highs that include having very high energy, racing thoughts, very high self-esteem, and decreased ability to concentrate.

These episodes are very intense and can last longer than a week. In some cases, episodes of mania can be so strong that people with this condition need to be hospitalized for their safety and the safety of people around them.

What are the causes?

The cause of this condition is not known.

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop mania if you have a mood disorder, especially bipolar disorder.

If you have a mood disorder, the following factors may increase your risk of developing mania:

• Not getting enough sleep.
• Using substances such as tobacco, caffeine, or illegal drugs.
• Certain prescription medicines, such as antidepressants or antibiotics.
• Stress or emotional events.
• Certain seasons. Mania is more common in spring and summer.
• The period of time after having a baby (postpartum period).

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Periods of having very high energy that may last longer than a week. In some cases, you have so much energy that you may become unsafe and need to go to the hospital.
• Very high self-esteem or self-confidence.
• Decreased need for sleep.
• Being unusually talkative, or feeling a need to keep talking. Speech may be very fast. It may seem like you cannot stop talking.
• Racing thoughts or constant talking, with quick shifts between topics that may or may not be related (flight of ideas).
• Decreased ability to focus or concentrate.
• Increased purposeful activity, such as work, study, or social activity.
• Increased nonproductive activity. This could be pacing, squirming and fidgeting, or finger and toe tapping.
• Impulsive behavior and poor judgment. This may result in high-risk activities, such as having unprotected sex or spending a lot of money.
• Having false beliefs (delusions) or seeing, hearing, or feeling things that do not exist (hallucinations).

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your symptoms and medical history.
• A physical exam. Your health care provider will check for physical conditions that may be causing your symptoms.
• A mental health evaluation. You may be referred to a mental health provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating mood disorders.

How is this treated?

This condition may be treated with:

• Medicines, such as mood stabilizers.
• Talk therapy (psychotherapy) with a mental health provider.
• A procedure to change the brain chemicals that send messages between brain cells (neurotransmitters). This procedure, called electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), applies short electrical pulses to the brain through the scalp. This may be used in cases of severe mania when other treatments have not helped.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
• Make and follow a routine for daily meal times.
• Ask for support from family, friends, or relatives to make sure you stay on track with your treatment.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have concerns about your treatment.
• You have side effects from your prescription medicines.
• Your symptoms do not improve or they get worse.
• Your mania may be putting your health, or others’ health, at risk.

Get help right away if:

• You think about hurting yourself or you try to hurt yourself.
• You think about suicide.

If you ever feel like you may hurt yourself or others, or have thoughts about taking your own life, get help right away. You can go to your nearest emergency department or call:

• Your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).
• A suicide crisis helpline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. This is open 24 hours a day.

Summary

• Mania involves episodes of emotional highs that include having very high energy, racing thoughts, very high self-esteem, and decreased ability to concentrate.
• Episodes of mania are very intense and can last longer than a week.
• Treatment for mania may include medicines and talk therapy (psychotherapy).