Manic Episodes Symptoms
Manic episodes are the defining symptoms of bipolar I disorder. The characteristics of manic episodes are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) which is the book used to diagnose mental illnesses.
The fundamental symptom of manic episodes is either an abnormally elevated mood or irritable mood. The mood disturbance must last at least one week or cause hospitalization in order to be considered a true manic episode.
If the person has an elevated mood, the person must have three other symptoms of mania to constitute a manic episode. A person with an irritable mood needs to have four other symptoms of mania for it to be considered a manic episode.
A common symptom of manic episodes is grandiosity or inflated self-esteem. Another symptom is a decreased need for sleep. Often, three hours seems like enough sleep during a manic episode.
Being talkative is a symptom of mania. A manic episode may cause racing thoughts which is observable by others as a flight of ideas.
Another symptom of manic episodes is distractibility. The person may be easily distracted and have difficulty focusing. A possible symptom of mania is an increased involvement in goal-oriented activities.
One last possible symptom of mania is participating in activities for pleasure without consideration of the consequences. Excessive spending, promiscuity, and drug use are examples of some of these behaviors.
Hallucinations and delusions can be caused by mania. The hallucinations and delusions reflect grandiosity. The person may believe they have a superpower or are chosen by a higher authority.
If the symptoms have been caused by drug use, medication, or medical condition, they are not considered symptoms of a manic episode. The symptoms must cause impairment in the persons ability to function at work, school, home, or in relationships for it to be considered a manic episode.
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