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Bipolar Disorder: Manic Episodes
Topic Overview
Some mood disorders are characterized by manic episodes, periods of abnormally high energy. Behavior may be diagnosed as a manic episode if:
- An abnormal and continuously elevated (happy or energetic) mood or an irritable mood occurs and lasts at least 5 days.
- During this elevated or irritable mood, at least three of the
following symptoms are present:
- Inflated self-esteem or unrealistic feelings of importance
- Decreased need for sleep (feeling rested after only a few hours of sleep)
- Talkativeness (more than usual)
- Racing thoughts
- Being easily distracted by unimportant things
- An increased focus on reaching job or personal goals
- Involvement in irresponsible activities that might have dangerous consequences, such as engaging in increased sexual activity, making foolish business deals, or spending large sums of money
- The behavior is severe enough to cause an inability to function properly in a job, in social situations, or in relationships with others. It is possible you may need to seek hospitalization if the behaviors become so severe that you need help to prevent harming yourself or others.
- The symptoms are not due to substance abuse.
- Psychosis may be present.
If you or someone you love is experiencing a manic episode, it is important to seek help. Many treatments are available.
10 Questions to Ask About Bipolar Mania
If you're talking to your doctor about treating bipolar mania, here are 10 questions you may want to ask and why they are important: 1. What's happening to me, and what causes bipolar mania? Bipolar disorder is a physical illness that affects the brain. It's important that you know about the brain's chemical imbalance that causes it, the stress that triggers mania, and the medications that can help. 2. What medicines can help me, and how do they work? It's important that you...
Read the 10 Questions to Ask About Bipolar Mania article > >
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
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