Disease Insights: manic-disorder
Welcome to the ultimate guide on manic disorder. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions to help you or your loved ones understand and manage this condition better.
Description for manic disorder
A mental health condition involving periods of extreme high energy, euphoria, or irritability.
Symptoms of manic disorder
extreme euphoria, impulsivity, increased activity levels, irritability, racing thoughts
Precautions for manic disorder
Take mood stabilizers as prescribed, Monitor mood shifts, Avoid alcohol and drugs, Maintain a stable sleep schedule
Questions Covered:
- what is manic disorder?
- What are the usual symptoms of manic disorder?
- How do doctors usually treat manic disorder?
- causes of manic disorder?
- What are the ways to prevent manic disorder?
Answers:
Question: what is manic disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition marked by large shifts in mood from mania to depression. Although bipolar disorder can be challenging to manage, many effective treatments and strategies are available.
Bipolar disorder isn't a rare condition. In fact, the National Institute of Mental Health says that 2.8%
of U.S. adults ' or about 5 million people ' have a bipolar disorder diagnosis.
The condition used to be known as manic depression and bipolar disease.
Key symptoms of bipolar disorder include:
These episodes may last from a few days to several weeks or longer.
If you're living with bipolar disorder, the following treatment options can help you learn to manage mood episodes, which can improve not only your symptoms but also your overall quality of life.
Question: What are the usual symptoms of manic disorder?
To receive a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, you must experience at least one period of mania or hypomania.
These both involve feelings of excitement, impulsivity, and high energy, but hypomania is considered less severe than mania. Mania symptoms can affect your day-to-day life at work or home. Hypomania symptoms typically don't cause as much disruption, but they can still be distressing.
Some people living with bipolar disorder also experience major depressive episodes or 'down' moods.
These three main symptoms ' mania, hypomania, and depression ' are the main features of bipolar disorder. Different types of bipolar disorder involve different combinations of these symptoms.
Bipolar I symptoms
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5)
, a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder requires the following:
at least one episode of mania that lasts at least 1 week
symptoms that affect daily function
symptoms that don't relate to another medical or mental health condition or substance use
You could also experience symptoms of psychosis or both mania and depression (known as mixed features). These symptoms can have more impact on your life. If you have them, it's worth reaching out for professional support as soon as possible.
While you don't need to experience episodes of hypomania or depression to receive a bipolar I diagnosis, many people with bipolar I do report these symptoms.
Bipolar II symptoms
A diagnosis of bipolar II requires:
at least one episode of hypomania that lasts 4 days or longer
and involves 3 or more symptoms of hypomania
hypomania-related changes in mood and usual function that others can notice, though these may not necessarily affect your daily life
at least one episode of major depression that lasts 2 weeks or longer
at least one episode of major depression involving five or more key depression symptoms that have a significant impact on your day-to-day life
symptoms that don't relate to another medical or mental health condition or substance use
Bipolar II can also involve symptoms of psychosis, but only during an episode of depression. You could also experience mixed mood episodes, which means you'll have symptoms of depression and hypomania simultaneously.
With bipolar II, though, you won't experience mania. If you have a manic episode, you'll receive a diagnosis of bipolar I.
Cyclothymia symptoms
A diagnosis of cyclothymia requires:
periods of hypomanic symptoms and periods of depression symptoms, off and on, over 2 years or longer
(1 year
for children and adolescents)
symptoms that never meet the full criteria for an episode of hypomania or depression
symptoms that are present for at least half of the 2 years and never absent for longer than 2 months at a time
symptoms that don't relate to another medical or mental health condition or substance use
symptoms that cause significant distress and affect daily life
Fluctuating mood symptoms characterize cyclothymia. These symptoms may be less severe than those of bipolar I or II. Still, they tend to last longer, so you'll generally have less time when you experience no symptoms.
Hypomania may not have a big impact on your daily life. Depression, on the other hand, often leads to more serious distress and affects day-to-day function, even if your symptoms don't qualify for a major depressive episode.
If you do experience enough symptoms to meet the criteria for a hypomanic or depressive episode, your diagnosis will likely change to another type of bipolar disorder or major depression, depending on your symptoms.
Question:
Most research suggests that males and females receive bipolar disorder diagnoses roughly equally
, though some studies suggest it may be more prevalent in females. However, the main symptoms of the disorder may vary, depending on the sex you were assigned at birth and your gender.
Females with bipolar disorder tend to receive diagnoses later in life, often in their 20s or 30s. Sometimes, they might first notice symptoms during pregnancy or after childbirth. They're also more likely to be diagnosed with bipolar II than bipolar I.
Additionally, females living with bipolar disorder tend to experience:
milder episodes of mania
more depressive episodes than manic episodes
rapid cycling, or four or more episodes
of mania and depression in 1 year
more co-occurring conditions
Females with bipolar disorder may also experience relapse more often, partly due to hormone changes related to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. In terms of bipolar disorder, relapse means having a mood episode after not having one for some time.
Get the facts about bipolar disorder in females.
Males with bipolar disorder, on the other hand, may:
get a diagnosis earlier in life
experience less frequent but more severe episodes, especially manic episodes
be more likely to also have a substance use disorder
show more aggression during episodes of mania
Question: How do doctors usually treat manic disorder?
Several treatments can help you manage bipolar disorder symptoms. These include
medications, counseling, and lifestyle measures. Some natural remedies can also have benefits.
Medications
Recommended medications may include:
mood stabilizers, such as lithium (Lithobid)
antipsychotics, such as olanzapine (Zyprexa)
antidepressant-antipsychotics, such as fluoxetine-olanzapine (Symbyax)
benzodiazepines, a type of anti-anxiety medication used for short-term treatment
Psychotherapy
Recommended therapy approaches may include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of talk therapy that helps you identify and address unhelpful thoughts and change unwanted behavior patterns.
Therapy offers a safe space to discuss ways to manage your symptoms. Your therapist can also offer support with:
understanding thought patterns
reframing distressing emotions
learning and practicing more helpful coping strategies
Get tips on finding the right therapist.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation is a therapeutic approach centered around helping you learn about a condition and its treatment. This knowledge can go a long way toward helping you and the supportive people in your life recognize early mood symptoms and manage them more effectively.
Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy
Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy focuses on regulating daily habits, such as sleeping, eating, and exercising. Balancing these everyday basics could lead to fewer mood episodes and less severe symptoms.
Online therapy options
Interested in online therapy? Our review of the best teletherapy options can help you find the right fit.
Was this helpful?
Other options
Other approaches that can help ease symptoms include:
electroconvulsive therapy
sleep medications
supplements
acupuncture
Natural remedies for bipolar disorder
Some natural remedies might also help with bipolar disorder symptoms.
You'll always want to check with your doctor or psychiatrist before trying these remedies, though. In some cases, they could interfere with any medications you're taking.
The following herbs and supplements may help stabilize your mood and reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder when combined with medication and therapy:
Omega-3: Some 2016 research
suggests that taking an omega-3 supplement may help with symptoms of bipolar I. However, a 2021 study found weak support for using the supplement to treat depression symptoms in bipolar disorder.
Rhodiola rosea: A 2013 review
suggests this plant may help with moderate depression, so it could help treat depression associated with bipolar disorder, but this, too, has not been substantiated with newer research.
S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe): SAMe is an amino acid supplement that may help ease
symptoms of major depression and other mood disorders. However, it can induce mania and may interact with other medications.
You should consult with a doctor before trying SAMe or any other herbal or natural remedies to help you manage your bipolar symptoms.
Looking for more options? Consider these 10 alternative treatments.
Lifestyle changes
Some studies suggest that lifestyle measures can help reduce the severity
of your bipolar disorder symptoms. These can include the following:
eating a balanced diet
getting at least 150 minutes of exercise a week
managing your weight
getting weekly counseling or therapy
That said, the improvements reported by many of these studies were not significant
, indicating that lifestyle interventions alone may not be enough to manage the condition. They may work better when combined with other treatments.
Question: causes of manic disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a fairly common mental health condition, but experts have yet to determine why some people develop the condition.
Some potential causes of bipolar disorder include:
Genetics
If your parent or sibling has bipolar disorder, you're more likely to develop the condition. The risk of developing bipolar disorder is 10% to 25%
if one of your parents has the condition.
Keep in mind, though, that most people who have a history of bipolar disorder in their family history don't develop it.
Learn more about the hereditary aspect of bipolar disorder.
Your brain
Your brain structure may affect your risk of developing bipolar disorder. Irregularities in brain chemistry, or the structure or functions of your brain, may increase this risk.
Environmental factors
It's not just what's in your body that can affect your chances of developing bipolar disorder. Outside factors can also play a part. These might include:
extreme stress
traumatic experiences
physical illness
Learn more about the potential causes of bipolar disorder.
Question: What are the ways to prevent manic disorder?
Once you begin to experience mood episodes, you can take steps to help reduce the severity of those episodes and lower your chances of experiencing additional mood episodes. But you can't always prevent mood episodes entirely or keep the condition from developing in the first place.
Future research may reveal more about the specific causes of bipolar disorder and give researchers more insight into potential ways of preventing the condition.
Useful Articles on manic disorder
Additional Information and Resources:
Conclusion & Takeaways
Learning about manic disorder is the first step toward taking control of your health. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments, you empower yourself to make informed decisions. Remember to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and support.