Manic episodes can disrupt your life and sometimes become dangerous when leading to violent and reckless behaviors. People with bipolar disorder can easily notice when they are depressed, but it can be harder to recognize states of mania.
Knowing the signs of a manic episode can help people with bipolar disorder identify if they have the mental health condition and when it’s time to seek help. Here’s how to identify a bipolar manic episode and when to seek treatment.
What Are Signs of a Manic Episode?
A manic episode is one side of the condition known as bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder go through periods of depression and manic episodes. Although some people with bipolar II can have mild mania, some people with bipolar I can have at least one full-blown manic episode.
Some signs of a manic episode to watch out for can include:
- Feeling elated, euphoric, or agitated
- Struggling to sleep
- Feeling invincible or superior
- Talking more and faster than normal
- Having racing thoughts
- Being hyper-focused on an activity
- Pacing or fidgeting
- Being impulsive or reckless
- Having delusions
- Experiencing hallucinations
These manic episodes can often be alarming for those around the person with bipolar disorder as the actions can be dramatic. And while the person experiencing a manic episode may not realize they have bipolar disorder, their loved ones can help them identify it.
When to Seek Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Seeking help for bipolar disorder can be crucial for ensuring the person’s safety with the mental condition. The drastic mood changes can put them in situations where they act out reckless behaviors that could change their lives.
You should consider seeking help for your bipolar disorder when the following impact your life:
- You can’t do your work well on the job or at home.
- Your social life and relationships are suffering.
- You have thought or planned, or taken actions to harm yourself or others.
- Your risky behavior is putting you or others in danger.
- You have psychotic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions.
- You have three or more of the symptoms of mania listed above.
