Manic Episode- Can a Disorder Make You a Bit Too Happy?

Do you know someone who is incredibly (or unnaturally) pepped-up on some days, and completely depressed on others?

That person could be battling a very confusing condition called Bipolar Disorder, which comes with Manic and Depressive Episodes.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder involves an intense and very disruptive experience of extreme elation, or euphoria, possibly alternating with major depressive episodes. A full-blown expression of extreme symptoms involves abnormally high levels of thinking, behavior, and emotionality. These cause impairment in social or occupational functioning. It is also called a manic episode.

In some instances, the individual experiences psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations. An individual may also experience a mixed episode, characterized by a period lasting at least a week, in which the symptoms of both a manic episode and a major depressive episode occur together in rapidly alternating fashion.

What is a manic episode?

Think of a time when you felt unusually energetic and happy. You may have felt on top of the world, with excitement and intense energy rushing through your body. During such a time, you may have slept and eaten less than usual, and you may have felt enthusiastic to accomplish a remarkable task. You may have maintained this heightened energy level for several days! But then, you might have crashed suddenly- perhaps after getting exhausted or even a bit depressed.

Extreme forms of these experiences constitute the basis for manic episodes, the crucial component of bipolar disorder.

People, who have manic episodes, even if they have never had a depressive episode, are diagnosed as having Bipolar Disorder. This term has replaced Manic Depression in the diagnostic system. From what you may know about the more commonly used term ‘Manic Depression’, you might expect that a bipolar disturbance would involve mood swings.

The term bipolar does imply two poles: mania, and depression; however, not all people with bipolar disorder show signs of depression. The assumption underlying the diagnostic term is that, at some point, people with this disorder will become depressed.

A person in the midst of a manic episode may seem

• Outgoing
• Alert
• Talkative
• Creative
• Witty
• Self-confident

However, the experience of these people is far more complicated:-

• Feelings of expansiveness and energy can cause serious dysfunction.
• Their self-esteem may be irrationally high
• The thinking may be grandiose, unrealistic and even have a psychotic quality in the sense that it seems to be illogical.

For example, a manic woman asserted that the newspapers contained clues that suggested she would soon be called on by the Parliament to be the President!

What are a few more characteristics of manic episodes?

Most people in a manic episode do not have such bizarre thoughts, but they may have

• Unusual ideas and bouts of uncharacteristic creativity
• Their thoughts may race
• They jump from idea to idea, or activity to activity
• Such people are easily distracted and crave stimulation
• They are more talkative and louder than usual
• These people speak so quickly that others find it difficult to keep up with them or to interrupt.
• They may make jokes, puns, and sexual comments that are very dramatic, or hostile and aggressive.
• The energy levels of these people may be too high suddenly.
• They may be sleeping for very little time.
• During this time, they feel driven in tireless pursuit of hi-fi goals.
• When others ask them how they feel, they report feeling “on top of the world.”

Strangers may view these individuals as being extraordinarily outgoing, friendly, and imaginative. Those who know them, however, recognize that something is seriously wrong and that their behavior and thinking are out of control.

Why is it dangerous to have a Manic Episode?

What can be better than being extremely productive, needing little sleep and being “very friendly”, right?

But there is also a downside to a manic episode:-

1. The euphoria may suddenly turn into

• Extreme irritability
• Aggressiveness and hostility
• Especially if other people prevent their unrealistic and grandiose plans.

2. Furthermore, Manic persons generally tend to

• Seek pleasurable activities
• Ignore the possibility of any harmful consequences that result from their
• Be careless on the sexual front
• Uncontrolled buying behavior
• Thoughtless investments

Conclusion

We may thus conclude that a person with Bipolar Disorder in a manic episode may seem to be extremely jolly, outgoing, restless, productive and hyperactive to others. However, what he or she experiences is a lot more than just that set of symptoms. The best way to help such a person is to consult a Psychologist for therapy.

What do you think about Bipolar Disorder and Manic Episodes? Let us know in the comments below!

Originally published at blog.mindsolace.com on June 18, 2017.