Mania and Bipolar Disorders

Mania and bipolar disorders are among the most challenging mental health conditions that teens and adults face. If you or a family member has concerning symptoms, it’s time to reach out to Tyisha Fletcher, MSN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, at Legacy Advanced Nursing Practice in Anaheim, California. Tyisha has extensive experience helping people with mania and bipolar disorders achieve balance and overcome debilitating mood swings. She also offers treatment through in-person and telehealth visits, making it easy to get the help you need. Call the office today or use the online scheduler to request an appointment and start holistic mental health care.

What are mania and bipolar disorders?

Mania is a symptom that can occur on its own or as part of a mental health disorder, such as seasonal affective disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorders.

The symptoms of mania include:

• Unusually high energy (causing happiness or irritation)
• Feeling elated or euphoric
• Talking excessively
• Having racing thoughts
• Having a higher sex drive
• Becoming obsessed with an activity
• Needing little to no sleep (and still feeling energetic)
• Experienced delusions or hallucinations
• Engaging in risky behaviors like spending too much money or driving while drinking

You may also have hypomania, which causes similar but less severe symptoms.

Bipolar disorders include a group of three conditions:

Bipolar I disorder

People with bipolar I disorder have episodes of mania and major depressive disorder (MDD). During a manic episode, the symptoms are so severe they often require hospitalization.

Bipolar II disorder

Bipolar II causes swings between MDD and hypomania. Hypomania often gives you a surge of productive energy instead of disrupting your daily life.

Cyclothymic disorder

This disorder causes swings between mild depression and hypomania. Though you have mild symptoms, cyclothymic disorder can affect your ability to function because the mood swings are frequent (taking up at least half your time) and they last at least two years.

What other symptoms are caused by bipolar disorders?

Bipolar disorders cause the mania symptoms listed above and the following symptoms of depression:

• Feeling sad and hopeless
• Having little or no energy
• Giving up activities that were once enjoyed
• Having insomnia or sleeping too much
• Finding it hard to concentrate
• Feeling irritable or restless
• Thinking about suicide

You may have a mixed episode and experience depression and mania at the same time.

How are mania and bipolar disorders treated?

Medication management is the first line of treatment for mania and bipolar disorders. Mood stabilizers restore balance and prevent mood swings in the future.

Talk therapy also has an essential role. During therapy, you learn how to manage racing thoughts, identify signs of a pending mood swing (and how to prevent it), and obtain the skills needed to improve your daily life.

Tyisha takes a holistic approach, addressing all the challenges associated with mania and bipolar disorders. For example, many patients have insomnia even when they’re between manic and depressive episodes. Improving your sleep is important because insomnia can trigger a mood swing.

To learn more, call Legacy Advanced Nursing Practice today or request a consultation online.