Mania is a psychological and behavioral state where a person experiences abnormally elevated energy levels. Mania, or manic episode, is usually talked about in the context of bipolar disorder, but it can also occur in other mental health conditions and independently.
A toned-down version of mania, hypomania, can occur with or without bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is when a person experiences alternating episodes of elevated energy (mania) and lowered energy (depression).
The abnormally elevated energy levels in mania result in symptoms like:
- Experiencing intense, euphoric mood or irritability that is unexpected and out of character for the person
- Being hyperactive and doing multiple things at a time
- Having racing thoughts and speech
- Decreased need for sleep
- Impulsive and reckless behavior
- Feelings of grandiosity and invincibility
Signs a manic episode is ending
A manic episode can last for months, but it does eventually subside.1Tondo, L., H Vazquez, G., & J Baldessarini, R. (2017). Depression and mania in bipolar disorder. Current neuropharmacology, 15(3), 353-358. Following are the signs that a manic episode is ending or has ended:
1. Decreased energy
A significant sign that a manic episode is beginning to end is a decrease in the person’s energy levels. Mania causes a person to feel a sense of urgency, leading to increased hyperactivity.
Feeling tired after an episode of mania is common because mania causes a person to expend significant amounts of energy.
2. Normalized thought and speech patterns
Racing thoughts and speech characterize mania. The manic person jumps from one topic to another, making it hard to keep up with them.
When mania subsides, thoughts and speech become slower and regular. The person becomes less talkative.
3. Reduced impulsivity
Mania causes a person to engage in reckless and risky behaviors due to increased impulsivity.
When the manic episode ends, the person exercises better judgment and self-control.
4. Overwhelm
During a manic episode, a person may take on multiple, unviable projects without thinking. When mania subsides, they realize how much they’ve overwhelmed themselves.
5. Normalized sleep and diet patterns
During a manic episode, thanks to racing thoughts and hyperactivity, a person often does not feel the need to sleep much. This lack of sleep is often accompanied by an increased appetite, particularly for foods that are pleasurable.
When the mania ends, normal sleep and diet patterns resume.
6. Decreased grandiosity and invincibility
During a manic episode, a person experiences an uncharacteristic surge in self-esteem. They feel invincible and believe they can do anything—part of the reason why they take up multiple, grand projects.
When mania subsides, the person no longer feels grandiose and invincible. Some individuals with mania may even view their grandiosity as ridiculous when the mania subsides.
7. Improved concentration
During a manic episode, a person is highly distractible, and their attention is all over the place. When the mania subsides, they find they can focus more effectively.
8. Re-established social awareness
Irritability and impulsivity during a manic episode may cause a person to behave in ways that are harmful to others. This decreased social awareness gets reversed when the mania ends, and the person can show concern for others.2Carlson, G. A., & Goodwin, F. K. (1973). The stages of mania: A longitudinal analysis of the manic episode. Archives of general psychiatry, 28(2), 221-228.
9. Re-established self-awareness
Impulsivity and loss of control during a manic episode can make a person feel like they’re not being themselves. Self-awareness and self-identity are re-established when a manic episode ends. The person has a clearer sense of who they are.
10. Re-established sense of reality
In some cases of mania, a person may experience delusions and hallucinations. When mania subsides, they get a better grip on reality.
