Bipolar mania is an episode usually caused by bipolar disorder before a depressive episode. Many factors lead to bipolar mania. But the exact cause is still unknown. Bipolar mania episodes affect your thoughts, behavior, and energy levels which makes changes in your activities that are easily noticeable to others. While this disorder is treatable, you should notice the symptoms and get treated early to manage those episodes efficiently to live a better life. Visit the best Mental Health Clinic in Brooklyn at Doral Health & Wellness or log on to www.doralhw.org.
Learn more about the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Bipolar Mania in this article.
Diagnosis
To diagnose mania, there is no specific test available. However, your healthcare provider will check your medical history, family medical history, medication, or any supplements you are taking. Your healthcare provider may order blood tests or body scans to see if any condition is causing similar symptoms to mania. After these tests, if other disease or condition is ruled out, then the provider may refer you to a mental health specialist.
A Mental health specialist may follow DSM-5 criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Their criteria for a manic episode include:
- Are you having an abnormal, high expression of emotion with high energy and activity that lasts for a week or more, or every day?
- Are you having 3 or more symptoms of behavior and mood changes?
- Mood changes are severe enough that cause trouble in your social or personal life.
- Any alcohol, recreational drugs, or prescribed medication you are taking that can cause your symptoms.
This DSM-5 criteria test can clear which mental health condition is causing your symptoms.
Treatment
Usually, mania is treated with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Family and friends’ support is also essential during your treatment. If you only experience a manic episode, then a doctor may prescribe you an antipsychotic medication such as risperidone, aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, etc. To stabilize your mood disorder, a doctor may add a mood stabilizer as well. If you are planning to become pregnant, let your provider know first because some mood stabilizers such as valproate can increase the risk of birth defects and learning disabilities. In some cases, antidepressants are also prescribed along with other medicines.
Psychotherapies like talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or family therapy are used for manic episodes. These therapies help you identify the triggers of your mania episodes and teach the techniques how to cope with them.
You can also join support groups where many people with mania share their experiences and problems, and find ideas on how to tackle them with the help of a mental health professional or counselor.
In rare cases, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used to treat severe mania. In this therapy, a small electric current is sent to the brain to trigger a brief seizure to reverse the symptoms of mania.
Prevention
While you can’t prevent mania, you can make a plan to manage the symptoms of mania episodes from getting worse especially when you feel or sense that manic episodes may be starting soon.
- Avoid activities and environments that can trigger your mania episodes such as loud, busy, or bright places. Instead, stay in a place that is calm and relaxing.
- Follow your routines. Sleep, get up early, eat meals, take medications, and exercise all at a fixed time.
- Limit the social contacts that may make you feel stimulated or excited. Postpone some of the life decisions or big purchases.
- Avoid people or situations that may lead to poor or risky choices such as taking drugs or drinking excessive alcohol.
- Consider selecting someone who can manage your finances during a manic episode.
In case, you think or feel like harming yourself; tell family or friends, so that someone keeps an eye on you.
Looking for someone to talk to? If you need help dealing with your negative thoughts and feelings, call us on +1-347-384-5690 to get a consultation. If you need help learning coping methods, register your information and make direct contact with our doctors and psychiatrists to learn those methods, log on to www.doralhw.org. Doral Health and Wellness has the best Doctors and Psychiatrists who specialize in Behavioral Health, make accurate diagnoses, and craft tailored treatment programs. Visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.