Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health illness that affects your mood. While it’s natural to feel periods of ups and downs, for people with bipolar, these ups and downs are more extreme and cause significant disruption to your daily life.
At Peace, Hope & Harmony, Inc. in Midlothian, Texas, our psychiatric providers specialize in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorders. Our team creates a personalized bipolar treatment plan that meets your needs and preferences.
Many of our patients with bipolar disorder worry about manic episodes and how they best navigate them. Since recognizing the start of a manic episode is key to this management, we’ve created this guide. Keep reading to learn what you need to know.
What is manic bipolar disorder?
It’s helpful to remember that bipolar disorder is an umbrella term describing different types of bipolar: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder. Each type has different symptoms and manifests differently.
Manic bipolar disorder is another name for bipolar I. People with bipolar I have episodes of both mania and depression, however the manic episodes are typically the presenting issue and are more severe and last longer than the depressive episodes.
Mania describes a period or episode when your mood and energy are at extreme highs. While many people in manic episodes feel euphoric or extremely happy, it can also cause extreme irritability.
Manic episodes can significantly disrupt your life and even be dangerous. During this period, it can be challenging to carry out your normal daily activities.
And because people experiencing mania feel increasingly invincible, you might start to engage in risky behaviors that can lead to serious problems or threaten your well-being, such as going on major shopping sprees and racking up debt or engaging in unsafe sex.
What are the early warning signs of a manic episode?
Every person with bipolar I has unique triggers that can cause a manic episode to start. It’s not always easy to identify those triggers, so be sure to keep a mood journal or ask close family and friends to help you identify them.
Recognizing the early warning signs of a manic episode can help you identify triggers and prevent it from escalating. While everyone is different, here’s a look at some of the most common early warning signs:
- Sudden increase in your energy and activity levels
- Sudden increase in feelings of happiness or feeling euphoric
- Talking more than usual or talking very rapidly
- Having a decreased need for sleep or have trouble sleeping
- Getting lots of ideas all at once
- Feeling significantly more irritable than usual
- Feeling impulsive or making rash decisions
If you have been diagnosed with bipolar I and experience any of these warning signs, be sure to contact your provider at Peace, Hope & Harmony, Inc. to get the treatment you need. Early intervention can prevent escalation and help you better manage your symptoms.
If you haven’t been diagnosed with bipolar disorder but recognize these symptoms and are concerned you may have the condition, our team can help. We provide expert evaluation and diagnosis of many mental health disorders, including bipolar disorder.
Learn more about bipolar I or for help with a manic episode, schedule an appointment with a provider at Peace, Hope & Harmony, Inc., in Midlothian, Texas. We offer in-person and telehealth visits.
