Mania involves periods of abnormally elevated mood, energy, or activity levels. Most commonly, this is associated with bipolar disorder and related conditions. Mania is a very serious mental health condition and requires prompt medical attention to diagnose and treat. But it is treatable. Read on to learn more.
What Is Mania? A Clinical Overview
A manic episode can be very exhilarating but also very costly emotionally, socially, and financially. And the depression that often follows is miserable and painful.
Mania is a period of 1 week or more in which a person experiences a change in normal behavior that drastically affects their functioning. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania involving a period of at least 4 days and does not cause a major deficit in social or occupational functioning [1].
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Mania?
Common symptoms of mania include:
| Increased talkativeness | Rapid speech |
| Decreased need for sleep | Racing thoughts |
| Distractibility | Increase in goal-directed activity |
| Psychomotor agitation | Elevated or expansive mood |
| Engages in risky activities | Financial irresponsibility |
| Mood lability | Impulsivity |
| Irritability | Grandiosity |
Mania is most commonly associated with bipolar disorder in which a person alternates between elevated and depressed moods. Mania can be a part of several mental health conditions, including:
| Seasonal affective disorder | Cyclothymia |
| Postpartum psychosis | Schizoaffective disorder |
| Anxiety disorders | Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |
| Misuse of drugs or alcohol | Eating disorders |
Causes of Mania
The precise causes of bipolar disorder are unknown. However, there is strong evidence that biological factors, including genetics, play an important role. Stress or difficult family relationships do not cause the illness. However, these factors may trigger an episode in someone who already has the illness [2].
Causes may include [3]:
- Family history and genetics
- Chemical imbalance in the brain
- Side effect of a medication
- Significant change in life, such as a divorce, house move, or death of a loved one
- Extreme life challenges, such as trauma or abuse, or problems with housing, money, or loneliness
- Lack of sleep or changes in sleep pattern.
- Side effect of mental health problems
Exploring Common Types of Manias
There are a number of types of mania, each with its own characteristics [2] [4].
Hypomania
- This is a less severe version of mania that lasts for a shorter period of time, i.e. at least four consecutive days. Symptoms are clearly noticeable, although daily life is less affected than with acute mania.
- Mood is elevated and energy increased. Need for sleep is decreased. Noticeably talkative, with racing thoughts. Increased productivity. Engages in risk-taking behaviors.
Acute Mania
- Full-blown mania with notably extreme elevation in mood and activity. Typically lasting at least one week.
- Feeling grandiose. Severe insomnia. Greatly increased energy. Spending sprees, sexual indiscretions, or other impulsive or risky behaviors. Talking fast with pressured speech and an inability to listen to others. Racing thoughts, distractibility, and unrealistic overconfidence. Possibility of delusions or hallucinations, or other psychotic symptoms.
Mixed Mania
- Manic and depressive symptoms occur together.
- Mania symptoms combined with depressive feelings.
- Self-harm risk due to the blend of depressive and manic states.
Dysphoric Mania
- Agitated mania with irritability, anger, or agitation.
- May include symptoms of both euphoria and depression. Restlessness. Volatile emotions. Severe irritability. Increased risk of aggressive or self-destructive behavior.
Delusional/Psychotic Mania
- Disconnection from reality in this severe form of mania.
- Hallucinations or delusions such as grandiosity or paranoia. Needs urgent medical attention.
Delirious Mania
- Rare, severe form of mania. Often requires emergency medical intervention.
- Profound disorientation. Confusion. Psychosis and possibly dangerous behaviors.
For quick comparison, the main types of mania are summarized below.
| Type | Severity | Psychotic Symptoms | Risk Level | Duration | Key Features |
| Hypomania | Mild | No | Moderate | ≥4 days | Elevated mood, productivity, little impairment |
| Acute Mania | Moderate to Severe | Sometimes | High | ≥1 week | Extreme energy, risky acts, often disruptive |
| Mixed Mania | Variable | Occasionally | Very High | Variable | Both manic and depressive features |
| Dysphoric Mania | Moderate to Severe | Sometimes | Very High | Variable | Agitation, irritability, emotional instability |
| Delusional Mania | Severe | Yes | Extreme | Variable | Grandiosity, paranoia, hallucinations |
| Delirious Mania | Most severe | Yes | Extreme | Short, emergency | Disorientation, confusion, dangerous acts |
What Triggers a Manic Episode and How Long Does It Last?
There are a wide range of factors which can trigger a manic episode, including:
- Sleep Deprivation
- Stress and major life changes
- Substance Use
- Antidepressants and Other Medications
- Changes in Routine
- Seasonal Changes
- Hormonal Fluctuations
- Genetic and Biological Factors
Manic episodes have varying durations:
- A manic episode usually lasts at least one week (if untreated).
- Severe cases can persist for several weeks or even months without intervention.
- Hospitalization may shorten severe episodes.
- Hypomania lasts at least 4 days.
How Is Mania Diagnosed? Understanding Evaluation
Diagnosing mania involves a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional, typically a psychiatrist or psychologist. Mania is a core feature of bipolar disorder. The process focuses on ruling out other conditions and then confirming whether symptoms meet the criteria outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition).
Diagnosing mania includes:
- Clinical Interview: History of symptoms; Mood patterns; Family history; Medical and substance history
- DSM-5 Criteria for a Manic Episode: From the psychiatric diagnostic manual.
- Differential Diagnosis: Ruling out conditions that mimic mania.
- Mood Tracking & Observation
Psychological Testing and Labs
- Blood tests
- Brain imaging
- Psychological questionnaires (e.g., Mood Disorder Questionnaire).
Misdiagnosis such as depression alone can lead to ineffective or harmful treatments, such as antidepressants triggering mania. A correct diagnosis guides:
- Medication choices (mood stabilizers vs. SSRIs).
- Therapy approaches (CBT, psychoeducation).
- Long-term management (relapse prevention).
Treatment for Mania: Long-Term Support
Mania is treatable, assuming the person agrees they have a serious mental health issue. Treatment and management includes:
- Mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium, valproate)
- Antipsychotics (e.g., quetiapine)
- Therapy: CBT, psychoeducation helps manage triggers.
- Lifestyle adjustments: regular sleep, stress reduction, avoiding substances
Mental Health Testing and Treatment at Corner Canyon
Treatment for mental health conditions and trauma is available in Utah. Are you or a loved one looking for a compassionate space to heal from anxiety, trauma, PTSD, CPTSD, other mental health conditions, or addictions? Our licensed trauma-informed professional therapists and counselors at Corner Canyon Health Centers can provide compassionate help using a range of therapeutic and holistic techniques.
Reach out to our Admissions team now at Corner Canyon. We’re in a peaceful setting bordered by the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.
Sources
[1 ] Dailey M. and A. Saadabadi. 2023. Mania. StatPearls.
[2] CAMH. Bipolar Disorder.
[3] Cleveland Clinic. 2021. Mania.
[4] Cantwell C. 2020. How I Recognize My Early Warning Signs of Mania. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
