Recognizing the Signs of a Manic Episode and Understanding When You Should Attend Crisis Care

Elevated moods, high energy, racing thoughts, and talking more than usual are all signs that you or someone you know is experiencing a manic episode. However, these aren’t the only symptoms people have. In some cases, they might require someone to attend a crisis care center to find the proper care and stabilization that keeps them safe.

Manic episodes are a sign of a mental health condition, which as of 2021 impacts the lives of approximately 2,191,000 Ohioans. One of the most common conditions it is a sign of is bipolar I disorder. At SUN Behavioral Health Columbus, we aim to solve the unmet needs of our community by providing educational resources that can help you or someone you love understand when they might need mental health help. Today, we are going to discuss how you can recognize the signs of a manic episode.

Recognizing Manic Episodes in Yourself or a Loved One

While mania can occur in several mental health conditions, it primarily occurs in people who have bipolar disorder, specifically bipolar I disorder. Other forms of bipolar disorder might have a less severe, but still debilitating, form of mania known as hypomania.

Simply, mania is categorized as having extremely elevated moods and emotions, high energy and activity levels, and significant changes to what is considered normal for you that are noticeable to other people. These significant changes can be anything that stands out like putting all of your time and energy into a single project, like a new business idea, to the point that you might act impulsively or irritable, spend money you don’t have, and find that you don’t know the last time you slept or ate in exchange for working on that singular project.

For people with bipolar I disorder, mania lasts at least 1 week or is severe enough that it requires hospitalization. It can also last longer. After a manic episode has passed, people might feel overwhelmed by the activities they agreed to, have unclear memories of what happened, feel exhausted, or they might begin to feel depressed.

Do Manic Episodes Have Triggers? 4 of the Most Common People Have

Everyone is different, which means that why and how a manic episode starts varies from person to person. With that said, 4 primary triggers, though not limited to only these, may result in someone having a manic episode shortly after. These include:

Highly stimulating situations or environments: Sometimes, stimulating environments might make someone more likely to experience a manic episode. This could include being in places where there is a lot of noise, large crowds, or bright lights.
Lack of sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining your mental health. When you haven’t been sleeping enough, it can lead to worsening mental health symptoms, which could include a manic episode.
Substance use: Regularly consuming substances or alcohol can make someone more likely to experience worsening or new mental health conditions or symptoms. If someone has a condition like bipolar disorder, it might lead to them being more likely to experience a manic episode. If someone is unable to stop their substance use despite it resulting in worsening mania symptoms, it could be a sign of a substance use disorder. In this case, co-occurring disorder treatment might be necessary to prevent further complications.
A major life change: Major life changes, such as marriages, loss of a close loved one, job loss, or divorce, can be highly stressful situations for people. Because of this, these can be enough to trigger a potential manic episode.

The best way for you to learn what potential triggers you might have when it comes to your manic episodes is to keep a mood journal to track any potential triggers that might be associated. It is also recommended to consult family and friends for additional perspective as they might notice changes before you do.

recognizing manic episodes in yourself or a loved one

More Than Just Extreme Happiness and Energy: What Are the Signs of a Manic Episode?

Although manic episodes are often seen as periods of high energy and happiness, many people feel exhausted, burdened, or ashamed, especially after the episode has passed. This is often because of the other symptoms associated with these episodes. The chart below highlights some of the most common signs and the impacts they have.

        
                Category
                Signs and Symptoms
                Their Impact on a Person’s Life
        
                Mood
                Elevated mood, euphoria, irritability, grandiosity, aggressiveness
                While a person with a manic episode might feel extreme happiness and pleasure, not everyone does. Some people might find that their manic episodes look more like irritability, aggression, or an exaggerated sense of self-worth
        
                Energy Levels
                Increased energy levels, decreased need for sleep, agitation
                During a manic episode, people might find that they don’t see a need to sleep and have increased energy levels. While it might seem like they are getting a lot done because of it, it can lead to them feeling exhausted afterward as their bodies try and catch up on needed sleep
        
                Cognitive
                Racing thoughts, distractibility, increased number of ideas, delusions, hallucinations
                Not only do a person’s energy levels increase but so do their thoughts. They might find that they have racing thoughts and many new ideas. However, it could also look like being easily distracted by those thoughts and ideas. In severe episodes, it might lead to delusions, which are false beliefs that someone might have that they continue to believe despite evidence that it is not real, or hallucinations which are seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling something or someone that is not there
        
                Behavioral
                Rapid speech, increased goal-directed activity, excessive spending, unsafe sexual behaviors, spontaneous travel, property damage, potential harm to self or others, reckless behaviors, impulsive decisions
                Mania can also result in behaviors that can have serious consequences either in the moment or later. For example, if someone decides to excessively spend or spontaneously travel, but they then aren't able to pay a bill, it can create financial burdens for them, which might trigger another manic episode

Category	Signs and Symptoms	Their Impact on a Person’s Life
Mood	Elevated mood, euphoria, irritability, grandiosity, aggressiveness	While a person with a manic episode might feel extreme happiness and pleasure, not everyone does. Some people might find that their manic episodes look more like irritability, aggression, or an exaggerated sense of self-worth
Energy Levels	Increased energy levels, decreased need for sleep, agitation	During a manic episode, people might find that they don’t see a need to sleep and have increased energy levels. While it might seem like they are getting a lot done because of it, it can lead to them feeling exhausted afterward as their bodies try and catch up on needed sleep
Cognitive	Racing thoughts, distractibility, increased number of ideas, delusions, hallucinations	Not only do a person’s energy levels increase but so do their thoughts. They might find that they have racing thoughts and many new ideas. However, it could also look like being easily distracted by those thoughts and ideas. In severe episodes, it might lead to delusions, which are false beliefs that someone might have that they continue to believe despite evidence that it is not real, or hallucinations which are seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling something or someone that is not there
Behavioral	Rapid speech, increased goal-directed activity, excessive spending, unsafe sexual behaviors, spontaneous travel, property damage, potential harm to self or others, reckless behaviors, impulsive decisions	Mania can also result in behaviors that can have serious consequences either in the moment or later. For example, if someone decides to excessively spend or spontaneously travel, but they then aren't able to pay a bill, it can create financial burdens for them, which might trigger another manic episode

Keep in mind that for someone who has bipolar I disorder, manic episodes typically last a week or longer. If the symptoms you are experiencing are putting yourself or others in danger, attending a crisis care center is beneficial for getting the proper, stabilizing help that you need to maintain the safety of yourself and others.

4 Helpful Things to Keep In Mind if You Are Experiencing a Manic Episode

Not all manic episodes require someone to go to a crisis care center or be hospitalized right away. Some people can still manage a manic episode with some precautions in place. Below are 4 things to keep in mind if you are experiencing a manic episode that might make things easier and less stressful later.

Try to keep up with your normal routine – This might be difficult to do, and it's okay to do the best that you can, but trying to stick to your same sleeping, eating, and exercise habits and routines will maintain stability and allow you to have better control over your symptoms.
Delay major decisions – Talk to someone first before making any significant decision. This person could be a mental health professional, but it might also be a close and trusted friend or relative who will keep you accountable. At the very least, it will give you the chance to reflect on the action and potential consequences of it before making the decision.
Protect your finances – Don’t carry large amounts of cash on you and consider giving your debit and credit cards to a trusted friend or family member. You can also freeze these cards or place spending limits on them that will prevent you from making large, impulsive purchases during manic episodes.
If in danger to yourself or others, seek help right away – Feeling like you could be a danger to yourself or another person is a reason to seek crisis care. This help will provide you with the necessary stabilization and tools to protect yourself and those you care about.

How You Can Help a Loved One Experiencing a Manic Episode

If someone you love is experiencing a manic episode, the first rule of thumb is to remain calm and avoid overreacting or escalating the situation. Not every manic episode is necessarily dangerous and your loved one might already have things in place that will help them manage their symptoms. Because of this, ask how you can help them. If they don’t know, provide them with options of things that you can do instead of trying to control the situation.

It is also important to assess if the person is in danger of hurting other people, themselves, or property. If the answer is yes, suggest having them attend a crisis care center, which will help them find stability and support through this experience. If the answer is no, be patient with them and give them space, if necessary. Offer to do anything that might make their life easier such as holding onto a credit card for them or providing a second opinion to an impulsive idea.

When Is Crisis Care Necessary for a Manic Episode?

As mentioned above, not all manic episodes require someone to be hospitalized. So when is mental health crisis care needed for a manic episode? Below are some of the most common signs that you should go to a 24/7 crisis care center as soon as possible:

You have suicidal thoughts, plans, or actions
You are not taking care of yourself (not eating, sleeping, taking medications, or going to work or school)
You are experiencing hallucinations or delusions
You are a danger to yourself or another person
Your agitation levels are increasingly worse

do manic episodes have triggers four of the most common people have

Manic Crisis Care Treatment Is Available in Columbus, OH

Manic episodes can be an overwhelming experience for both the person who has them and the loved ones who might feel helpless in their situation. Crisis care treatment can be a helpful resource for individuals who need extra stabilization and support during these stressful episodes and can be the starting point for many of them to find long-term healing that decreases the need for it later on.

At SUN Behavioral Health Columbus, we solve unmet needs in the Columbus, OH area. Our facility offers 24/7 crisis care, which means we are open during the day, night, weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Many other facilities might be closed during those times, which leads to those experiencing manic crises not knowing where they should go for help. We also don’t require people to call ahead, they can simply come to the facility. To learn more about this service, call us at 614-706-2786.