It is much easier to cope with a bipolar manic episode when you are aware of the warning signs of bipolar mania. Since the red flags can vary slightly from one person to another, individuals can learn more about themselves by recognizing the bipolar mania warning signs and preparing when they occur.
A friend of mine in college, who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder at seventeen, kept a journal of her bipolar mania symptoms as well as her depression symptoms. She would record not only the outward symptoms associated with a manic episode, but also details about how she felt. Following are some of the bipolar mania symptoms you might want to watch out for.
Mood Alterations
According to WebMD.com, the first bipolar mania warning signs are changes to overall mood. Excitability and irrationality are two of the most common, often ranging from euphoria to extreme exasperation.
Some people also experience periods of unprovoked hostility during a bipolar manic episode. Snapping at friends and family for no reason, for example, might occur just before an episode of bipolar mania.
Infusions of Energy
Another common group of bipolar mania symptoms is changes in overall energy. Bipolar mania warning signs might include insomnia without resulting exhaustion as well as restlessness and a desire to keep busy. For example, just before and during a bipolar manic episode, you might find yourself cleaning house, doing homework or engaging in hobbies with increased vigor.
Bipolar mania warning signs can also include hyper-sexuality, which means an increased libido. This can also result in inappropriate sexual acting out, though the actual experiences can vary widely from person to person.
Changes in Speech Patterns
One of the most well-known bipolar mania symptoms is the changes in speech patterns during a bipolar manic episode. Rapid, sometimes incoherent speech might be accompanied by the feeling that you are not talking enough, or that you are having trouble putting your thoughts into words.
My college friend, for example, would often engage in frequent and long periods of verbal clang associations during a bipolar manic episode, which according to the medical dictionary are “psychic associations resulting from sounds, often observed in the manic phase of manic-depressive psychosis.” She would talk about “enemies, ketamines, anemones” for hours on end.
Changes in Thought
In addition to changes in speech patterns, bipolar mania warning signs also include changes in thought. During a bipolar manic episode, you might find yourself easily distracted and have difficulty with linear thinking. Many people also become more creative and expressive, and are drawn toward the arts during this time.
Some people will become more impulsive, while others might find that their ideologies and beliefs become more intense during a bipolar manic episode. For example, my friend was a devout Catholic, but became far more religious during manic episodes. She found she could not avoid talking about religion for an extended period of time.
All of these bipolar mania warning signs are very broad, and again might vary significantly depending on the individual. This is why it is important to pinpoint your specific bipolar mania symptoms so you can determine how best to handle them.
Sources:
WebMD.com, Hypomania and Mania in Bipolar Disorder
Medical Dictionary, Clang association
