A manic episode is a period of elevated or irritable mood lasting at least a week, often accompanied by racing thoughts, reduced need for sleep, and risky behavior. It is usually part of a mood disorder, especially bipolar disorder, and can lead to hospitalization. The exact causes are not fully understood.
A manic episode is a psychological event in which the mood is significantly elevated or irritable, usually over a period of at least one week. During this time, the individual experiencing the manic episode is likely to feel as if their mind has been speeded up or “strengthened” and may experience racing thoughts, a reduced need for sleep, intense feelings of focus on a objective, excessive talkativeness, and exaggerated feelings of self-worth. She may also engage in risky activities such as gambling or drug use, or she may exhibit psychotic behaviors, requiring hospitalization to prevent harm to herself or others. Manic episodes are usually part of a mood disorder, especially bipolar disorder.
During a manic episode, an individual experiences a heightened sense of mood that typically lasts for at least a week. In particular, she may feel excessively irritable or may be suddenly consumed with a desire to achieve a particular goal that may be related to her work or creative interests. Some of the more common symptoms of a manic episode are racing thoughts, unusual talkativeness and rapid speech, an increased sense of self-importance, and a decreased perception of the need for sleep. Unlike milder forms of mania, a true manic episode usually disrupts an individual’s sense of the outside world.
In some cases, an individual in the midst of a manic episode may engage in risky activities without a sense of the consequences that could result from these behaviors. For example, the individual may engage in gambling, illegal drug use, sexual promiscuity, or reckless spending. After recovering from an episode, the individual may find that his high-risk behaviors have interfered with his personal relationships or her job, or even led to legal proceedings.
Due in part to the reduced need for sleep common to manic episodes, an individual experiencing an episode may after several days begin to show signs of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions. This aspect of a manic episode can be quite scary for the individual and those around them. You may need to be hospitalized to make sure you don’t harm yourself or your loved ones.
The exact causes of manic episodes are not yet fully understood. In many cases, however, a manic episode is a symptom of a larger mood disorder, particularly bipolar disorder. More rarely, manic episodes can be triggered by certain medications and therapies used to treat depression.
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