Living with manic episodes can be stressful, but thoughtful planning and treatment can help you learn to manage these symptoms.
Bipolar disorder can cause you to experience episodes of extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression). The severity and frequency of these episodes will help a healthcare professional determine the type of bipolar disorder you have.
Manic episodes are a feature of bipolar I disorder. People with bipolar II disorder typically experience hypomania, a less severe episode.
Read on to learn about mania and ways to help manage it.
You may experience the following during a manic episode:
- abnormally elevated mood
- persistently irritable mood
- unusually energetic mood
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), a medical reference healthcare professionals commonly use to aid in diagnosis, your symptoms of mania must last
During a manic episode, your behavior is very different from usual behavior. While some people are naturally more energetic than others, those experiencing mania have an atypical level of energy, irritability, or even goal-directed behavior.
Some of the other symptoms you may experience during a manic episode include:
- feelings of inflated self-esteem and self-importance
- feeling like you don’t need sleep, or need very little sleep
- becoming unusually talkative
- experiencing racing thoughts
- being easily distracted
- engaging in behavior that may have negative consequences, such as shopping sprees, sexual indiscretions, or making big business investments
Mania can cause psychosis. This means you have lost touch with reality.
Manic episodes shouldn’t be taken lightly. They affect your ability to perform as usual in work, school, and social activities. Someone experiencing a manic episode may need to go to the hospital to keep from hurting themselves.
Manic episodes can vary from person to person. Some people can recognize they’re heading toward a manic episode, while others may deny the seriousness of their symptoms.
You probably won’t realize you’re having a manic episode in the heat of the moment. So, perhaps the best way to cope with mania is to plan ahead. Here are some steps you can take to prepare.
Reach out to a healthcare professional
The first and most important thing to do if you think you’re having manic episodes is to reach out to a mental health professional. This could include a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, counselor, or social worker.
If you’re worried that you’re close to the onset of a manic episode, contact a mental health professional as soon as possible to discuss your symptoms.
If a loved one or family member is familiar with your illness, they can also offer you support.
Online psychiatry services
Read our roundup of the best online psychiatry services to find the right fit for you.
Identify medications that help
Healthcare professionals
Read more: “Common Medications to Manage Bipolar Disorder”
If you’ve taken these medications in the past and have some understanding of how they work for you, you may want to write down that information on a medication card. You could also have it added to your medical record.
Avoid triggers that worsen your mania
Alcohol, recreational and illegal drugs, and mood-altering prescription drugs can all contribute to a manic episode and affect your ability to recover. Avoiding these substances can help you maintain your emotional balance. It may also help make recovery easier.
Maintain a regular eating and sleeping schedule
When you’re living with bipolar disorder, having structure in your daily life is vital. This includes following a balanced diet and avoiding caffeine and sugary foods that could affect your mood.
Getting enough regular sleep can also help you avoid manic or depressive episodes. In addition, it can help reduce the severity of any episodes that do occur.
Watch your finances
Going on spending sprees can be one of the major symptoms of mania. You can cope with this by limiting how easily you can access your finances. For example, keep enough cash to maintain your everyday lifestyle around your home, but do not have extra cash readily available.
You also may want to keep credit cards and other spending methods in places where they’re more difficult to use. Some people find it helpful to give their credit cards to a trusted loved one, while others avoid obtaining credit cards altogether.
Set up daily reminders
Create reminders for taking your medications and maintaining a regular bedtime. Consider using phone or computer notifications to help you keep your schedule.
In the recovery period, it’s time to start regaining control over your life and schedule. Discuss with a mental health professional and loved ones what you’ve learned from the episode, such as possible triggers. You can also start reestablishing a schedule for sleeping, eating, and exercising.
It’s important to think about what you can learn from this episode and how you can help yourself in the future. This will help you engage later in mania prevention.
Following a manic episode, many people gain insight into what may lead to their episodes. Examples of common mania triggers can include:
- drinking alcohol or using recreational or illegal drugs
- staying up all night and skipping sleep
- hanging out with others known to be an unhealthy influence (such as those who typically try to convince you to use alcohol or drugs)
- going off your regular diet or exercise program
- stopping or skipping your medications
- skipping therapy sessions
Keeping yourself on a routine as much as possible can help reduce manic episodes. But keep in mind that it won’t prevent them altogether.
If you or a loved one has bipolar disorder, you may wish to make certain key preparations.
Wellness recovery action plan
A wellness recovery action plan (WRAP) helps you account for important decisions and contact people you may need if you get into a crisis. The National Alliance on Mental Illness recommends these plans to avoid a crisis or have easy resources to reach out to.
Examples of items on a WRAP include:
- phone numbers of key family members, friends, and healthcare professionals
- phone numbers of local crisis lines, walk-in crisis centers, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- your personal address and phone number
- medications you’re currently taking
- known triggers for mania
Social support can help improve the effectiveness of a WRAP, according to 2019 research. Consider creating other plans with trusted family members or loved ones, such as recording who will pay your bills, feed your pets, or find receipts and make returns if spending sprees become a problem during a manic episode.
Psychiatric advance directive
In addition to your WRAP, you can create a psychiatric advance directive. This legal document appoints a family member or loved one to act on your behalf while you’re experiencing a manic or depressive episode.
Doing this can ensure that your wishes, such as where you’d like to be taken if you need to be hospitalized, are carried out if you’re in crisis.
Fire drill
You can also think about holding a “fire drill” for a future manic episode. This is a simulation where you imagine you’re going into a manic episode. You can practice who you would call and ask them what they would do to help you. If you find any missing steps in your plan, now’s the time to fix them.
Seeking help
While no one likes to think about manic episodes, it’s important to be aware of them and seek support in advance. Examples of organizations that can help include the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
If you experience mania, you can take steps to decrease your risk of having episodes, such as following your treatment plan and avoiding triggers. These steps can help reduce the number and severity of your episodes.
But because you can’t prevent manic episodes entirely, it also helps to be prepared. Stay connected with your healthcare team, make decisions in advance of manic episodes, and be ready to reach out for help when you need it.
Preparing for a manic episode before it happens can help you manage your condition and live more comfortably with bipolar disorder.